In an era of rapid change, Niana Guerrero has built a following out of being consistent, and consistently authentic. As she shares her passion for her craft and desire to flex her sartorial wings, the social media sensation is showing us the joy of dancing to the beat of your own drum
This is an excerpt from the MEGA November 2024 Cover story
We first met Niana Guerrero as a precocious young girl, winning hearts with her adorable dance moves and even more charming personality. It’s been years since those first viral moments, and the social media sensation has since evolved, with cuteness giving way to creative choreographies executed with impressive technique. The content creator has indeed gone from strength to strength, cementing her place as a true force in the industry whilst still being the Niana we first got to know and love.
With more than 1 billion likes on Tiktok, the 18-year-old is also the most followed Filipino on the app. She is likewise in the top 5 of content creators in Southeast Asia, when considering the combined followings of her various social media platforms. Another feat is her many collaborations with the hottest names in the industry, as she continues to wow fans with her fresh takes and genuine passion for dance.
And yet despite her fame, Niana remains pretty low-key, keen on focusing on her craft and being true to herself. “I keep things fun and real as much as possible, and I feel like dance is something everyone can sort of just vibe with. And I just love sharing what I enjoy, whether it’s a dance challenge, or just a random dance video,” she tells MEGA.
Another thing she loves is, of course, dancing with her siblings, sharing how much they all enjoy it. “I think it’s the best because for us, it doesn’t really feel like work. Like some people see it that way, like we’re vlogging, [which] means we’re working,” she begins. “But it’s not like that, it’s more of siblings bonding in a way. It’s like we do crazy things, crazy ideas on camera, and that’s pretty much it.”
Niana started dancing on Youtube with her brother Ranz Kyle, their younger sister Natalia has likewise joined in. “So me and my brother, we’ve been doing this for years, so we’ve got a good flow. And now having Natalia join us makes it even more special, because she’s so cute, and brings so much energy to the videos,” she declares.
MOVING TO THE MUSIC
Niana confides that she is constantly inspired by the world around her. “I find inspiration everywhere to be honest, from the songs I listen to, things I see, or even just random ideas that pop into my head. I keep challenging myself by trying new things, whether it’s a new style or a dance, or pushing myself to get better at certain moves,” she says. She reveals that she’s doing a bit of DJ-ing at home, and hopes to debut this new skill in one of her future videos.
Additionally, her dance playlist is just as intuitive, a mix of everything from today’s catchy rhythms, to early aughts chart toppers, and even retro beats. “As long as it has a good vibe, and I think a lot of people relate to it. No matter how new or old, if the vibes are there, then that’s the song I’ll pick. And then I’ll just do some cool steps,” she shares.
And despite appearing decidedly laid-back while moving to the beats, she reveals that her videos take a lot more work than one might realize. “People think I just do one take, and I’m that perfect,” she says with a laugh. “Even one missing detail, I’ll do it over again. I could retake like 50 times if I want to, as long as I get the look I want.”
Her hard work has obviously paid off, with the world quite literally watching, admiring, and even dancing to her every move. She’s won numerous accolades, and has worked with some of the biggest celebrities in music and dance. “Honestly, every collaboration has been so cool in its own way. With Meghan Trainor it was such a fun experience, because she even invited me to her house, which is pretty insane. Because I’ve been listening to her music since I was little, dancing to it as well,” she gushes.
She’s also gotten to dance with girl group Katseye, sharing that the experience was super fun. “Those girls are amazing,” she declares. On top of that, the social media sensation also got to jive with pop star du jour Sabrina Carpenter. “I feel like it’s just cool, because not only do I get to hang out with and collab with these amazing people, but I also get to build friendships.”
FUN WITH FASHION
When the camera isn’t rolling, Niana shares that she likes hanging out with her family and friends, and that her offline personality is quite similar to her online one. “I’d say, I’m pretty much the same. I’m chill and I like to have fun whether the camera is on or not,” she claims. “Maybe I’m a little bit more quiet when I’m not filming, but what you see online is mostly me.”
While she discloses that she was a “really shy kid”, her journey in content creation has made her more outgoing and confident. “I feel like meeting a lot of people all around the world has helped me overcome that fear, because I’m going to these events and I would talk to different people. Which is really fun, because I get to connect,” she reveals. “And that’s how I get to know myself a bit more, through people.”
Another thing that is creatively unfolding is Niana’s fashion sense, with her personal style a reflection of the layered coolness of her generation. “I think my style has evolved, and it’s still evolving even now as I’m speaking,” she says. “I’ve been trying to experiment more with my looks, and going out of my comfort zone a bit, while still keeping it me.”
Read more about Niana Guerrero as she makes her moves into the world of fashion in MEGA’s November 2024 issue , now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photographed by CHARISMA LICO. Art direction and design by VINCE CANLAPAN. Styled by RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Makeup by MICKEY SEE. Hair by MARK ANTHONY ROSALES. Written by MARIANE PEREZ. All pieces by LOUIS VUITTON. Art Direction BRIE VENTURA. Beauty Direction AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON. Production JONES PALTENG. Sittings Editor PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO. Fashion Assistant ERICA TEROL. Editorial Assistant THESSMAR LECTURA. Styling Assistants RICH FORTU, NICHOLE ANNE PURA, and MAXINE DELA CRUZ. Nails MARITES AZOGUE of POSH NAILS. Photography Assistant JAZ ORBE, MARC DE CASTRO, ERWIN ARDA, JR BAYLON. Hairstylist’s Assistant EJ FLORES. Special thanks to PIA CAMPOS and GERARD GOTLADERA of W TALENT MANAGEMENT, and JEANGER NAVARRO of LOUIS VUITTON PHILIPPINES. Shot at PIONEER X STUDIOS.
