From body-positivity advocates like Winnie Harlow to fitness influencers like David Laid, the most successful Instagram models showcase their authenticity as they collaborate with major brands, crossover into mainstream media and business ventures, and encourage meaningful interactions with their audience. Here are 12 models who have mastered Instagram and what they can teach you about building a following.
1. Bretman Rock (@bretmanrock)
Rock is far more than a beauty influencer—he’s also an LGBTQ+ advocate and cultural icon. Starting on Vine and YouTube before exploding on Instagram, Rock built his brand through a mix of makeup tutorials, comedy, and raw authenticity, sharing everything from glamorous red carpet looks to behind-the-scenes bloopers. He’s collaborated with major brands like Nike, Crocs, and Fenty Beauty, starred on MTV’s “Following,” and appeared on magazine covers for Vogue Philippines and Playboy.
Takeaway: Be real. In a world of overly polished influencers, authenticity wins. Whether you’re in beauty, fashion, or fitness, showing your personality and engaging with your audience is what it takes when becoming an Instagram influencer.
2. Alex Consani (@alexconsani)
A high-fashion model, TikTok sensation, and Gen Z comedian, Consani is redefining what it means to be a modern supermodel. With a strong presence in both high fashion and social media, the androgynous beauty blends avant-garde aesthetics with an irreverent, chaotic sense of humor. She gained a massive following on TikTok thanks to her offbeat, surreal perspective and brought that audience to Instagram, where she mixes editorial shoots for top designers like Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga with unfiltered, absurdist content.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to stand out. Consani’s success shows that embracing your individuality can set you apart in an industry filled with conventional beauty standards. Find opportunities to shake up your niche with humor and authenticity.
3. Sean O’Pry (@seanopry55)
One of today’s highest-paid male models, O’Pry has built a career on refined, understated elegance, exclusivity, and industry prestige. The man known for his sharp features and high-fashion modeling for brands including Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce & Gabbana has created a mystique that keeps fans intrigued. His clean, minimalist posts are a mix of professional and candid shots. Unlike many influencers who share their daily lives, O’Pry lets his work speak for itself, maintaining a sense of mystery.
Takeaway: Less can be more. Not every model needs to be a loud personality; sometimes, a refined image can build just as much demand.
4. Sommer Ray (@sommerray)
Ray has taken fitness modeling to a whole new level, blending workouts with viral entertainment. Her high-energy content and personal brand have made her one of Instagram’s most recognizable fitness figures, and she’s even leveraged her following to launch her own athleisure line, Sommer Ray’s Shop. Unlike luxury models, Ray posts often, keeping her audience hooked through challenges, Q&As, and regularly updated workout tips.
Takeaway: Keep ’em entertained. Find a way to mix valuable content with personality to keep people coming back.
How to Use Instagram to Become a Model5. Winnie Harlow (@winnieharlow)
As one of the most famous IG models with vitiligo, Harlow has transformed her unique look into a powerful platform for representation and inclusivity. She actively discusses self-love and diversity in fashion, creating a strong personal brand that goes beyond her modeling work for major brands like Dior, Marc Jacobs, Victoria’s Secret, and Savage x Fenty. She’s been on “America’s Next Top Model,” “Making the Cut,” and even Beyoncé’s “Lemonade.”
Takeaway: Own what makes you different. Embracing your uniqueness can make you stand out and inspire others.
6. Alexis Ren (@alexisren)
Ren started as a Tumblr-era “it” girl but evolved into a fitness entrepreneur and advocate for mental wellness. Her mix of aspirational lifestyle content, personal storytelling, and Q&As with fans has kept her relevant for years. She’s even built her own fitness and lifestyle clothing line, Ren Active.
Takeaway: Evolve your content as you grow. Be open about your journey and how it may turn into something far different from where it began.
7. Laith Ashley (@laith_ashley)
Ashley is a trailblazer in the industry, breaking barriers as a famous transgender male Insta model. But his influence extends beyond fashion—he’s a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation who uses his platform to promote visibility and inclusivity. In addition to modeling for major brands like Diesel and Calvin Klein, he’s expanded into entertainment as a singer-songwriter. The trans activist has also appeared in Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze” music video and on the TV shows “Pose,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and “Strut.”
Takeaway: Use your platform for something bigger. If you have a special story, share it—it makes you unforgettable, relatable, and part of a larger, possibly more important dialogue.
8. Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)
Whether gracing the covers of Vogue Australia and Harper’s Bazaar or speaking out on issues of feminism and bodily autonomy, Ratajkowski has successfully cultivated an image that merges sex appeal with cultural influence. With the launch of swimwear and clothing brand Inamorata and the publication of her memoir, “My Body”—which engages in conversations about the male gaze, women’s empowerment, and the double standards in the entertainment industry—Ratajkowski has proven she’s an entrepreneur and cultural critic as well as a top Insta model.
Takeaway: Find something you stand for. Becoming Instagram famous entails building a strong personal brand, so chase your passion and integrate it into your content.
9. David Laid (@davidlaid)
From a less-than-auspicious start as a skinny teenager documenting his fitness transformation, Laid soon became one of the most recognized male fitness models on Instagram. Laid’s sculpted physique and well-curated content featuring cinematic gym footage, fitness breakdowns, and motivational tips—not to mention his collaborations with fitness brands Gymshark and YoungLA—make him a top figure in the fitness niche.
Takeaway: Document your progress. Particularly if you want to stand out in the fitness industry, tell a story that showcases your transformation and focus on visual branding.
10. Karina Irby (@karinairby)
With her unedited, unfiltered photos that challenge mainstream beauty standards and captions that focus on self-acceptance and mental health, Irby is reshaping the body-positivity movement. She’s built a brand focused on self-love, confidence, and inclusivity through her work as a curve model and as owner-designer of Moana Bikini. Through her powerful platform, Irby encourages women to embrace their bodies and reject unrealistic ideals.
Takeaway: Aim for authenticity and inclusivity. These aren’t trends—they’re the future. Many paid modeling job listings have adjusted to this important change in the industry, so don’t be afraid to get started looking up potential gigs.
11. Noah Beck (@noahbeck)
Beck is a prime example of a social media personality who has successfully broken into the modeling world. Originally gaining fame on TikTok for his skits, dance clips, and boy-next-door charm, Beck leveraged his following to build a massive presence on Instagram and transition from casual influencer to high-fashion model. He’s worked with big-name brands including Valentino, Prada, and Balmain, retaining his humor and personality-driven content throughout.
Takeaway: Adapt across platforms. If you’re growing on multiple platforms, make sure your content adjusts to each one. What works on TikTok might not work on Instagram, but a strong personal brand can help you stay consistent.
12. Barbie Ferreira (@barbieferreira)
Known for her role on “Euphoria” and as a pioneer in the plus-size modeling space, Ferreira continues using Instagram to challenge outdated beauty norms with candid thoughts on beauty standards, self-love, and representation. She’s also worked with Adidas, Aerie, and Becca Cosmetics and has appeared on the shows “How to Behave” and “Divorce” and in the films “Unpregnant,” “Nope,” and “House of Spoils.”
Takeaway: Be you! You don’t have to fit the industry’s mold to succeed. Use your platform to redefine beauty, representation, or whatever matters to you.