Latest Influencer News in 2026
Looking to learn more about influencers? Check out our latest news from the most talked about influencers today!
Sephora Teams Up with TikTok to Empower Beauty Brands in Creating Inclusive, Trend-Driven Content
Sephora has teamed up with TikTok for the second consecutive year to help beauty brands create more inclusive, music-driven branded content. This collaboration focuses on combining Sephora’s expertise in beauty with TikTok’s influence in social media to develop content that amplifies underrepresented voices. Specifically, the initiative encourages beauty brands to collaborate with musical artists, creating songs that can be used in TikTok videos to enhance their marketing efforts. The partnership merges two existing Sephora programs: Sephora Accelerate and Sephora Sounds. Sephora Accelerate is designed to support beauty founders of color by providing resources and mentorship, aligning with Sephora’s commitment to the 15 Percent Pledge, which aims to increase the number of Black-owned brands in retail spaces. Sephora Sounds, on the other hand, focuses on promoting emerging and underrepresented musical talent through Sephora’s social channels. Together, these programs provide an opportunity for beauty brands to form long-term partnerships with a diverse range of creators. Brent Mitchell, Vice President of Social Media and Influencers at Sephora, highlighted the significance of sound in today\'s social media landscape, emphasizing that music plays a crucial role in how users experience content on platforms like TikTok. By collaborating with TikTok creators and musicians, Sephora aims to inspire more inclusive content that resonates with a wider audience. This year’s program features three brands that graduated from the Sephora Accelerate program: Mango People, Sienna Naturals, and Brown Girl Jane. These brands worked with emerging artists at Westlake Studios in Hollywood to produce music tracks that reflect their brand identities. Mango People collaborated with Nicole Han on the song “Glow,” which highlights the brand\'s use of botanical oils and herbs. Sienna Naturals worked with J Maya to create the track “H.A.P.I. Place,” inspired by their vegan hair care products. Brown Girl Jane teamed up with Lebanese-American artist Rawan Chaya to produce a lively song titled “Carousel” for one of their fragrance products. The content created through these collaborations is designed to be both engaging and meaningful, helping the brands connect with their communities. Malaika Jones, founder and CEO of Brown Girl Jane, explained that the brand uses complementary audio elements with its fragrances to evoke emotions and memories, making their products a celebration of culture and personality. Through this partnership, Sephora and TikTok continue to prioritize inclusivity and creativity, offering a platform for beauty brands and creators to collaborate and inspire diverse audiences.
Travel Influencers Find Ally In Expedia, Taps Them As Next Brand Ambassadors
Expedia Group has launched a new platform called Travel Shops, allowing influencers and content creators to monetize their travel recommendations. The initiative enables influencers to curate collections of their favorite hotels and destinations, which users can book directly through Expedia\'s app or website. This creates a direct link between inspiration and action, offering influencers a new way to earn commissions outside of traditional advertising. Travel Shops provide a unique opportunity for creators to highlight stays and destinations they personally recommend. For example, travel influencer Renee Hahnel, known as Renee Roaming, has curated a list that includes a glamping site in Patagonia, an oceanfront villa in French Polynesia, and a luxury resort in Arizona. Users can explore her Travel Shop and book these destinations seamlessly through Expedia. This platform not only offers a new revenue stream for influencers but also allows travel content to remain available on Expedia\'s platform rather than disappearing as it often does on social media. Although the commission structure has not been disclosed, the move represents a more sustained form of monetization for influencers who rely on their travel expertise to engage followers. According to Lauri Metrose, Senior Vice President of Global Communications at Expedia Group, the new feature aligns with how travelers already get inspiration from platforms like Instagram and TikTok. By offering an easy transition from browsing travel content to booking trips, Travel Shops simplifies the process for users and provides a natural evolution in travel planning. Travel Shops initially launched with over 100 influencers and partners, including prominent travel influencers like Brett Conti and Oneika Raymond, as well as celebrities like actor Jaime Camil and soccer star Virgil van Dijk. Corporate partners, such as Arsenal FC and several tourism boards, including Visit Orlando and Travel Alberta, are also participating to promote unique lodging options and experiences. In addition to influencers, media outlets like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Variety are expected to create their own Travel Shops, giving their readers the chance to discover and book special travel experiences. The platform is currently available in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, with plans to expand into more markets in the future. Following this initial launch, Expedia plans to open up the Travel Shops platform to all users next year, further enhancing the way people plan and book travel by integrating social media influence with direct booking tools.
Pro-Trump Podcaster Said Venezuelan Gangs Should Rape Or Kill Taylor Swift After Declaring Harris Support
Pro-Trump podcaster Dave Rubin has sparked outrage after seemingly insinuating that pop star Taylor Swift could be raped or killed by Venezuelan gangs following her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Swift announced her support for Harris after Tuesday night’s debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump, prompting Rubin to suggest that Swift’s endorsement could put her in danger. Rubin, a political commentator with nearly 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube, made the controversial remarks during his podcast on Wednesday. He was responding to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Elon Musk. Musk had replied to Swift’s Instagram post, which she signed “childless cat lady” — a potential reference to Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance’s past remarks about women without children. Musk’s response, “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life,” was interpreted by some as sarcastic, but Rubin took the opportunity to delve into a darker narrative. Rubin commented on Musk’s post, saying, “So, he’s mocking, he’s exposing the ridiculousness.” He then turned his attention to Swift, adding, “Taylor Swift, you are a young, pretty girl. Do you know what the gang members from Venezuela do to young, pretty girls? It ain’t pretty.” This statement quickly drew widespread condemnation. Critics on social media slammed Rubin for his comments, with one user writing, “This guy is insane.” Another person commented, “Between Dave Rubin and Elon Musk’s responses to Taylor Swift endorsing Harris, they’re really not beating the creepy weirdo allegations.” Some users even pointed out that Rubin’s comments might unintentionally motivate Swift’s fanbase to vote in higher numbers. Rubin’s remark appears to tie into claims made by Trump and his supporters about violent criminals allegedly being released from Venezuelan prisons and crossing into the United States under the Biden administration’s immigration policies. However, no evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims. Swift’s endorsement of Harris emphasized her belief that Harris is a “warrior” for causes important to her. She encouraged her 283 million Instagram followers to do their own research and register to vote. Swift also promoted early voting, linking to resources for voter registration and information on early voting dates. Rubin has yet to comment further on the backlash to his remarks.
Kate Middleton News: Princess Of Wales Back To Work!
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has quietly returned to work for the first time since completing her cancer treatment. According to the Court Circular, the official record of the Royal Family’s activities, the 42-year-old met with her Centre for Early Childhood team and Kensington Palace staff at Windsor Castle. The meeting, which focused on her early years\' childhood project, marks her gradual return to royal duties after her cancer diagnosis in March. The Princess announced her diagnosis on March 22, and on September 9, she revealed in a social media video message that she had completed chemotherapy. In the video, which was filmed at her family’s country residence, Anmer Hall, Kate expressed her relief at finishing treatment. She reflected on the difficulty of the past nine months, describing the experience as “complex, scary, and unpredictable” but also a journey that offered a new perspective on life. The message was emotional, as she acknowledged the impact the illness had on her and her family, including her husband Prince William and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. Despite undergoing treatment, Kate remained engaged in her work when able, especially concerning her early years\' project, which focuses on the long-term effects of childhood experiences on social challenges like mental health and homelessness. Throughout the summer, she made two public appearances: at Trooping the Colour in mid-June and at Wimbledon on July 14, where she attended alongside Princess Charlotte. Looking ahead, Kate is expected to slowly ease back into public engagements. While there are no confirmed events for the coming months, she is “potentially” expected to attend the Remembrance Sunday service on November 10 and is planning to host her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in December. A source indicated that her work schedule may remain light as she focuses on her health and recovery. In her video message, Kate stated that she is looking forward to taking part in more public duties while continuing her focus on staying cancer-free. She expressed gratitude for the support she received and spoke candidly about the vulnerability and perspective that come with facing such a health challenge.
Blackpink Jisoo Is World\’s #1 Influencer – Here\’s Why
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo has emerged as the top influencer at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025, generating an impressive $8 million in Earned Media Value (EMV). Her presence at the Tommy Hilfiger show played a significant role in boosting the brand\'s visibility and influence. Jisoo’s chic and youthful appearance at the event attracted widespread attention from fans and fashion experts alike, further solidifying her impact in the fashion world. According to Lefty, a media and influencer analysis platform, Jisoo ranked as the #1 influencer for New York Fashion Week Womenswear SS25. Her $8 million EMV contribution helped Tommy Hilfiger become the top brand of the event, with the fashion house accumulating $56.4 million in EMV overall. This represents a significant increase in the brand’s media value, up 302% from previous seasons. The success of Tommy Hilfiger at New York Fashion Week has been linked directly to Jisoo’s influence, demonstrating the global superstar’s ability to elevate fashion brands through her mere presence. Jisoo was also the most mentioned celebrity at New York Fashion Week SS25. Her hashtag, #jisooxtommyhilfigerss25, was used over 243,579 times, surpassing the event’s main hashtag, further proving her popularity. Jisoo’s prominence at Fashion Week extended beyond Tommy Hilfiger, as her overall impact on the event’s media coverage was unparalleled. In comparison, the second-ranked influencer, Winter, generated $6.44 million in EMV, highlighting Jisoo’s dominance during the week. This is not the first time Jisoo has made headlines for her influence at major fashion events. Her strong following, coupled with her impeccable fashion sense, has positioned her as a key figure in the global fashion industry. At New York Fashion Week SS25, other prominent figures also contributed significant EMV, including Lee Min Ho and Kim Kardashian, but none reached Jisoo’s level of impact. Her involvement at Fashion Week comes as part of her continued collaboration with major brands like Dior and Cartier, where she serves as a global ambassador. Jisoo’s ability to merge her music career with her influence in fashion continues to elevate her status as a world-class artist and a leading figure in both industries. Jisoo’s performance at New York Fashion Week once again highlights the power of K-pop stars in driving media value and shaping global fashion trends.
Influencer App Node Pushes AI In Influencer Marketing
Dulcedo Group, a leading talent management agency, has announced the acquisition of Node App, an AI-powered influencer marketing platform, in a move that signifies the company’s commitment to embracing technology and innovation in the creator economy. Node App, founded in 2019 by Armin Faraji and Mackenzie Dérival, was designed to democratize influencer marketing by offering accessible, scalable solutions for creators, talent agents, brands, and agencies. The acquisition is expected to enhance Dulcedo’s offerings by integrating Node’s AI capabilities and expanding its influence across new and existing markets. Node has gained traction for its innovative approach, helping over 2,000 companies, including Kraft, Marriott, and Samsonite, generate millions of social media impressions by connecting them with micro-influencers. The platform also empowers content creators, with more than 5,000 influencers using Node to secure brand partnerships and monetize their content. Originally focused on restaurants, Node quickly expanded to serve e-commerce brands, scaling from 30 to 800 clients in just five months during the pandemic. This success led to a $1 million funding round backed by notable investors, including Techstars and early executives from Shopify and Hershey’s. The acquisition provides Node with additional resources and funding to support its growth and enhance operational efficiency. Dulcedo, which has an extensive network of influencers, athletes, and models, will offer Node access to a combined following of over 300 million, providing a significant boost to the platform’s visibility and reach. Node’s inclusion in Google’s Startups Accelerator program in 2022 enabled it to enhance its AI capabilities, pioneering machine-learning tools that improve influencer discovery and campaign management. With Dulcedo’s backing, Node plans to further develop AI-driven solutions for influencer marketing. Dulcedo CEO Karim S. Leduc, who will also serve as interim CEO of Node, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating that Node’s rapid growth and innovative approach align perfectly with Dulcedo’s vision for the future. Co-founder Armin Faraji will assume the role of COO, while Mackenzie Dérival will continue as Chief Product Officer (CPO). The integration of Node into Dulcedo Group is expected to create new opportunities in the influencer marketing space, empowering both brands and creators to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. With this acquisition, Dulcedo Group solidifies its position as a major player in the creator economy, blending technology with talent management to offer a unique, AI-powered experience to its clients.
Crypto Influencer Scandal: Professor Crypto Slammed With Bot Claims
Crypto influencer “Professor Crypto” is facing allegations of using bots to boost his social media presence shortly after winning the “best content creator” award at the DeGen Summit, a side event of the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore. The accusations came from the well-known crypto investigator “ZachXBT,” who took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that Professor Crypto had manipulated his social media metrics by using \"thousands of bots\" to artificially inflate his follower count and influence. ZachXBT’s accusations also pointed out that this alleged behavior could potentially violate a United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule. The FTC prohibits the selling or purchasing of fake social media metrics, including followers or views generated by bots or hijacked accounts, as this practice is seen as deceptive and manipulative. In response to these claims, Professor Crypto has yet to issue a public statement. However, he quickly deleted several posts that had shown him celebrating his win as “best content creator.” The posts, which featured him collecting the award during the DeGen Summit on September 17, have since been removed from his X account. Professor Crypto, who has over 1.34 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, has been creating content focused on cryptocurrency for at least six years, with his first video dating back to August 2018. His content includes reviews and opinions on crypto exchanges, wallets, trending memecoins, and non-fungible token (NFT) projects. Despite his sizable YouTube following, his X account, which was created in February 2018, has only 132,000 followers and just 102 posts, the earliest of which was made in August 2023. Web3 investigator Pix also pointed out that only two of those posts were directly authored by Professor Crypto, raising further suspicion about his account\'s activity. The controversy surrounding Professor Crypto has led to confusion and skepticism within the crypto community. Several industry commentators have expressed surprise at his award, with NFT artist Matthew Varnell questioning his prominence in the space, asking, “Who the hell is Professor Crypto?” Others, like Wildcat Labs co-founder Laurence Day, noted that they had never heard of him before he won the award. As of now, Professor Crypto has not responded to these allegations, and Cointelegraph has not received a comment from him regarding the claims of social media manipulation. The situation continues to unfold as the crypto community awaits further developments.
Abby And Matt Cruise Ship Scandal: TikTok Couple Finally Breaks Silence
TikTok stars Matt and Abby Howard are speaking out to address a recent controversy that has stirred significant debate online. The married couple faced backlash after sharing that they left their young sons, Griffin, 2, and August, 13 months, in their cruise stateroom while they went to dinner. The backlash intensified after Abby posted an Instagram Story revealing that they were monitoring their children via FaceTime. In response to the criticism, the Howards, who have been married since 2019, released a statement on their joint TikTok account on September 16. Matt, 26, and Abby, 25, clarified that their children were never left alone. “We usually would not be making a video like this,” Matt said, addressing the misinformation circulating about them. “But there is information circulating about us that is completely untrue.” Matt emphasized their commitment to parenting, stating, “We take our role as parents extremely seriously, and we love our children more than anything in the entire world, and we\'re very protective of our kids.” He elaborated that during their seven-night cruise with Abby’s extended family, Abby’s Instagram Story was meant to communicate that they were keeping an eye on their children through FaceTime while someone else was present with them in their cabin. The confusion arose when viewers misunderstood the post and speculated that the children were unsupervised. Matt firmly refuted these claims, stating, “We had someone with our children at all times on this boat. Period.” Abby also acknowledged the misunderstanding and explained why she decided to delete the original Instagram Story. “I do want to clarify that we have not, would not, and will not ever leave our children unattended,” she assured. To provide further clarity, Abby explained that their children sleep in “blackout tents” equipped with monitors, allowing the couple to keep an eye on them even when they are not physically present. “We just love to have eyes on them,” she said. The Howards concluded their video by thanking their supporters and Abby’s family for their help during the cruise. The couple’s response has been met with positive feedback from many fans. “I knew it!” commented one TikTok user. “Sorry you had to deal with this.” Another praised their handling of the situation, noting the maturity and respectfulness of their response. The incident, which initially sparked a flurry of criticism, now seems to have been resolved, with fans showing understanding and support for the Howards.
Migrant Influencer Ordered Deported After Encouraging Others To Be \’Squatters\’
Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan migrant who gained notoriety on TikTok for promoting illegal squatting in U.S. homes, has been ordered to leave the country by an immigration judge. Moreno\'s case, however, faces complications due to a diplomatic dispute between the U.S. and Venezuela. Moreno, 27, entered the U.S. unlawfully through Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 23, 2022. He was later released into the country but missed several mandatory check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to his arrest in Columbus, Ohio, in March. Despite the judge\'s order for deportation issued on September 9, a diplomatic standstill might prevent his removal. The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, halted the acceptance of deportation flights from the U.S. and Mexico earlier this year as retaliation against renewed U.S. sanctions. These sanctions, aimed at pressuring the Maduro administration to restore democratic order, have led to a cessation of almost weekly deportation flights. Additionally, direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela have been suspended since 2019 due to reported unrest and violence. Moreno\'s social media presence has been controversial. He used his platform to encourage migrants to occupy vacant homes and flaunt government assistance, claiming that his aim was to escape exploitation. In his posts, Moreno showcased wads of cash and claimed that U.S. government aid covered expenses for his family, including medical costs related to the birth of his daughter. While Moreno has denied connections to criminal organizations, the emergence of Venezuelan gangs like Tren de Aragua in U.S. cities has cast a shadow over his case. Despite this, Moreno insists he is a victim of unjust persecution and media misrepresentation. He has also claimed to have been a low-ranking member of the Venezuelan navy, though there were reports suggesting he might have held a higher position in Venezuelan military intelligence. Currently, Moreno remains detained at Geauga County Jail in Ohio. He continues to argue that his situation in the U.S. mirrors the persecution he fled in Venezuela, presenting himself as a victim of misinformation and unfair treatment.
iOs 18 new features Trend Online: What Surprises Were Released?
This year’s release of iOS 18 breaks from tradition, making it an unusual update for Apple fans. Typically, new versions of iOS arrive in full, but iOS 18 is rolling out piece by piece. Core updates like RCS messaging support and an overhauled Control Center are here, but its standout feature, Apple Intelligence, remains absent. We may not see the much-anticipated AI features until late 2025, making this an ongoing release for the foreseeable future. Despite the absence of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 still brings plenty of new features to the table. Customization takes center stage, allowing iPhone users to personalize their devices like never before. One of the most exciting updates is to the Control Center. It has been redesigned, now offering users the ability to organize controls into customizable pages. Instead of the static layout users have known for years, you can now arrange icons where you want, resize them, and add third-party app controls. It’s a major shift, transforming your phone’s Control Center into a customizable hub. Another major improvement is the addition of RCS (Rich Communication Services). This messaging feature enhances cross-platform communication, making it easier to text Android users. RCS support offers features like typing indicators, read receipts, and reactions in a streamlined way, significantly improving the experience of texting between iOS and Android devices. Home screen customization also sees an overhaul. For the first time, users can arrange app icons anywhere on the grid, breaking free from Apple’s traditional uniformity. You can even tint your app icons to match your wallpaper, giving your home screen a fresh and unique look. The addition of a new Passwords app is another notable feature. Designed for simplicity, this app allows users to save, access, and share passwords across Apple devices, making it especially useful for families. Though iOS 18’s headline feature—Apple Intelligence—has yet to arrive, its existing updates still make it a significant release. Features like Control Center customization, RCS messaging, and home screen personalization are sure to win over iPhone users. For now, Apple Intelligence remains on the horizon, leaving plenty to look forward to.