Buzz
Social media is flooded with influencers, and most of them bombard us with advertisements and paid content. But some stand out with a much weirder approach. These unique influencers have built a following through their fresh, unexpected, and genuinely original ideas.
They’re the true rebels of the social media landscape: the diaper enthusiasts, the pubic hair advocates, the AI-generated beauty icons, the candid grandmas, and many more. This list celebrates influencers who are breaking the norms and creating their own path.
10. Lyle Forever, the Therapy Gecko
Wellness culture is huge among younger social media users, where mindfulness and tranquility are prized. But who better to give life advice than a man dressed as a giant gecko?
Lyle Drescher, better known as Lyle Forever, has become an internet sensation as the reptile-costumed figure who listens to people's struggles. Although he’s not a licensed therapist, the 27-year-old offers a compassionate ear to those in need, helping his followers navigate their life challenges.
The Therapy Gecko project started as a way for Drescher to connect with others during the isolation of lockdown. It quickly gained viral popularity across platforms like Twitch and YouTube. As the world began to open up, Drescher took his act on the road, touring as Therapy Gecko, offering advice while clad in his signature gecko costume.
9. Sujindah's Bold Stance on Pubic Hair
A full bush in a bikini. While 2025 might be the year TikTok fades out in the U.S., these five words are likely to remain forever etched in the minds of its users. Women on the platform are embracing their natural body hair and rejecting the summer bikini-season wax. It’s a movement of self-love and body acceptance.
The phrase gained momentum thanks to a lighthearted video by artist Sunijah. She reveals that an Etsy review for a swimsuit, showcasing a model with a full bush, 'radicalized' her. 'Yeah, that’s how it should be,' she tells her vast audience. Her clip has turned into an anthem for women who choose to ditch the razors and embrace their natural, unshaved beauty.
8. Sister Lisa and the Rise of #NunTok
Sister Lisa H has captured the hearts of the internet, amassing over 150,000 followers. As a devout Catholic and TikTok sensation, she began her social media journey while working at a Christian college before taking her vows. After joining a California convent at the onset of the lockdown, a local brother suggested she use the platform to share God’s message.
Now residing in Arizona, Sister Lisa continues to produce faith-centered content, offering insights into her spiritual journey, Bible reading advice, and Q&A sessions about life in the convent. Her growing fame has led to public recognition and brand collaborations, an unexpected twist for a nun’s typically modest lifestyle.
Sister Lisa isn’t alone in her TikTok ministry. #NunTok has grown rapidly, with nun-led videos attracting millions of views. Many consider it a fresh form of outreach, as demonstrated by The Daughters of St. Paul, who utilize digital evangelism to engage followers through skits, dances, lip-syncing, and reaction videos—a modern Sister Act for the digital era.
7. Laura Jenkinson’s Chin Makeup Art
Laura Jenkinson is a unique beauty influencer known for her unconventional approach. Instead of focusing on traditional makeup features like eyes or cheeks, she turns her attention to the chin. Operating out of London, Jenkinson creates all sorts of creative art on the lower half of people's faces. She has transformed famous figures like the Kardashians, Jay-Z, Lisa Simpson, and Spongebob into chin-based masterpieces.
Often using her own chin and lips as a canvas, she brings pop culture icons to life with her art, incorporating her teeth and tongue into the pieces. While most of her work features cartoon versions of famous figures, there's also a layer of political commentary. For example, after drawing Donald Trump, she quipped, “I know it’s not Halloween, but I wanted to do something terrifying.”
6. Kenza Layli: The AI-Generated Beauty Queen
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it's impacting the beauty industry too. AI-driven social media personalities are becoming more common. In the summer of 2024, Fanvue hosted the very first AI beauty pageant, showcasing digital beauty queens from all over the world—who, ironically, aren’t real at all. These virtual contestants vied for the title of Miss AI.
The winner of this groundbreaking pageant was Kenza Layli, a glamorous, AI-generated Moroccan beauty created by programmer Myriam Bessa. Every aspect of Layli, including her images, social media updates, and video content, is entirely crafted by artificial intelligence. Her photos are produced through tools like DALL-E 3, while her speeches are generated using programs such as .
Indeed, even Layli’s acceptance speech was created by AI. “Winning Miss AI motivates me even more to continue my work in advancing AI technology,” Layli shared with her vast following. “AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a transformative force that can disrupt industries, challenge norms, and create opportunities where none existed before.”
5. TikTok Influencers Promoting Ozempic
A strange new trend on TikTok is the surge in influencers making significant sums by promoting weight loss drugs like Ozempic. Pharmaceutical companies are willing to spend large amounts to get content creators to endorse their medications. One influencer revealed that she was offered $15,000 for a 15-second clip posted to her Instagram story.
Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, has seen a massive rise in popularity in recent years. While it can be hard to obtain Ozempic, there are numerous alternatives. Telehealth services now offer GLP-1 starter kits, and online weight loss platforms such as Zappy Health use TikTok and Instagram to promote semaglutide.
Some healthcare professionals are raising concerns about influencers neglecting to warn their followers about the potential side effects of these drugs. The U.S. Congress is attempting to enact laws to curb misinformation about pharmaceuticals on social media. However, the deluge of semaglutide advertisements continues unabated, often disappearing within 24 hours. With a limited number of FDA staff to monitor these ads, the flow remains unchecked for now.
4. Grandma Droniak and the Rise of Granfluencers
Social media isn't just for the younger generation anymore. Grandma Droniak, 94 years old, has amassed over 14 million followers on TikTok, a remarkable feat for someone of her age. In her videos, she projects an authentic, no-nonsense voice that resonates with her audience. She has gained a reputation for adding a refreshing twist to the world of influencers. Droniak posts sketches, tests out filters, and shares stories, such as one where she rates her ex-boyfriends. Her humor is delightfully dark: “I got ghosted last week,” she jokes. “But it was because he turned into a ghost. Slay in peace, Andrew!”
The rise of “granfluencers” is undeniable. Older influencers are proving that life doesn't stop after 60. In addition to Droniak, there's the fashion-forward Baddie Winkle, the chic Ting Ma, and even male influencers like The Old Gays, all showing that age is no barrier to online fame.
3. Mariya and the Growing Fascination with Tooth Karma
TikTok influencers, including spiritual healer Mariya, are championing the strange and new trend of 'teeth karma.' They believe that one's dental health is intimately connected to their past lives and familial history. Some argue that crooked teeth are a manifestation of unresolved karmic issues within one's family tree, while others suggest that memories from previous lives are somehow imprinted in your teeth.
The rise of tooth-related mysticism has sparked a slew of conspiracy theories, especially around wisdom teeth and their extraction. Some social media users are convinced that dentists secretly keep patients' wisdom teeth in order to clone them. Others claim that wisdom teeth are deeply connected to your inner being. One influencer shared, “The last two letters of wisdom are ‘om,’ and ‘om’ is a universal sound that connects you to your higher self.” Looks like we all need to keep brushing and flossing, just in case we lose touch with our dental chakras.
2. Bumble Pree, the Adult Diaper Advocate
Bumble Pree, a YouTube sensation, proudly identifies as the world’s first adult diaper influencer. The 27-year-old, who lives with multiple sclerosis and struggles with bladder control, is on a mission to normalize wearing adult diapers and prove there's no shame in it.
Pree’s followers can watch her try out different adult diaper brands and provide reviews on various designs. She also creates diary-style videos where she shares the daily realities of living with a disability, offering her thousands of fans an authentic look into her life.
The adult diaper industry has found in Pree an ideal advocate to show that their products can be fashionable and are far from embarrassing. One brand, NorthShore, regularly posts Instagram content featuring young people confidently wearing diapers. Another, Depend, even created a special diaper for goths that can endure the roughness of a mosh pit.
1. Financial Influencers Drawing Inspiration from Celestial Bodies
Social media platforms are disrupting the stock market. Aspiring investors are turning to unconventional sources for financial advice. A growing number of young people are sidelining traditional brokers, instead seeking guidance from the stars. Influencers on TikTok are leading the charge, encouraging users to make crypto investments based on astrological signs and tarot readings.
One of the standout figures is Stefaniya Nova, a 25-year-old from New York, who is known on TikTok by the handle @blonderichwitch. She claims to earn around $5,000 each month by relying on tarot cards and investing according to vibes, rather than conventional strategies. “It’s a new way of making money,” Nova shared with reporters. “New opportunities for people: in today's world, you don’t have to work yourself to the bone. Work smarter, not harder.”
