The power of influencers and brand advocates comes from the late 19th century, according to The Shelf. It is reported that one of the very first influencers was Aunt Jemima. Yes, the lady from the pancake mix was created and served as an ambassador intending to give people someone they can trust or rely on with their breakfast options. The character, personified by Ms. Nancy Green, became so popular that today still is the image of the brand and a staple in everyone’s pantry. With this we can agree that being an influencer has nothing to do with social media, but we all know that Instagram is the perfect platform to showcase your work or talent, and even Aunt Jemima has her own account.
With the expansion of social media, it feels like everybody wants to be an influencer — and there is nothing wrong with that if you really want to share high quality content or endorse reliable brands. Unfortunately, with so many options out there not everybody makes it, but for those who do, Instagram became their 9-5 and most of their income is thanks to the platform and their exposure through their accounts.
Nowadays there are a lot of Hispanics and Latinx instagrammers inspiring their followers with their jobs. From beauty influencers to foodies, find below 15 Hispanic Social Media Influencers who put soul and sass on the ‘gram.
Kathy Cana-Murillo @CraftyChica
Using the love she has for her roots, this Mexican-American social media influencer uses her heritage to teach her thousands of followers how to design and create accessories, greeting cards and home decor items, using traditional techniques like embroidery, pottery, watercolor and hand painting,
Her DIYs are easy to follow and don’t require experience. Cana-Murillo also has her own line of brightly colored earrings.
Monica Veloz @Monicastylemuse
You probably heard her singing “Regresé con otro ‘video'” (I’m back with another video) at the beginning of her makeup tutorials. Monica Veloz is a proud Dominican Afro-Latina from Brooklyn, New York, that shares her talent and wisdom with over 330 thousand followers on Instagram.
She engages her community in conversations about daily life situations, how to be unapologetically unique and of course how to look radiant and accentuate your beauty with makeup.
Angel Meriño @Mac_daddyy
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cSYH7AMuX/
Based in Los Angeles and born from Salvadoran parents, Meriño is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty influencer and the creative director, CEO and founder of Artist Couture, a cruelty-free and vegan friendly makeup line. Mac Daddy’s portfolio of clientele includes singer and actress Ariana Grande, Cassie, Mel B, Toni Braxton, Christina Milian, and much more. Before working professionally in the beauty industry, he worked as a dance instructor.
Known for having a flawless skin and a very hydrated pout, Meriño give us life every time he posts a selfie. His Instagram account is packed with fabulous and inspiring makeup looks. When it comes to highlighter and contour he knows how to beautifully beat his canvas, giving his 1.4 million followers sculpted face realness for days.
María Isabel Contreras @mochileraporelmundo
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2iOL3aBEXv/
“Mochilera por el Mundo” does exactly what her Instagram handle says. Traveling for weeks, with just a backpack with what she thinks is necessary, María Isabel Contreras is all about conquering the world on her own.
Known for being a solo traveler, Contreras is a Dominican wanderer that explores the world on a budget and on every trip she breaks down to her thousands of social media followers how to travel without emptying the bank account or mortgage your home. This globetrotter also offers personalized and detailed travel itineraries to anywhere in the world.
Alan Estrada @alanxelmundo
Alan is a veteran when it comes to traveling around the world. Before the term “travel influencer” became a thing on Instagram, Alan was already traveling the world and sharing his experience on YouTube. His videos are not only inspiring but insightfully. Estrada juggles his career as an actor and his passion for learning about new cultures and the wonders the world has to offer.
Juan Antiles @lejuanjames
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cBDC2jdiJ/
At this point we highly doubt that a Hispanic or Latinx never hear about LeJuan James. This DomiRican started his career in the now-defunct Vine and later expanded and grow his popularity to Instagram and YouTube. With comedic and relatable videos about our cultura, he involves every member of his family to make his over 2.1 million followers laugh.
Marco Pérez @marko
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ZSGDCHD_X/
Venezuelan influencer Marco Pérez went from being an Actor, Singer and Model to become a Comedian, Influencer, YouTuber and Human Rights Advocate. With his characters “Madame Puti”, “La Amiga Sifrina”, “La Amiga Tierrúa”, “La Yoxi,” and “La Tuxi,” Pérez makes his 5.7 million followers ROFL over his parodies.
His community also has seen his sweet and humanitarian side. The social media sensation constantly helps those in need and is always willing to flight back to Venezuela to fight against the Nicolás Maduro regime.
Eleonora “Lele” Pons Maronese @lelepons
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2XL7qrpJhC/
Lele Pons is one of the most famous Hispanic Instagrammers of this time. Just like LeJuan James she came to prominence on Vine. Pons was the most-followed person on the platform and now her fame continues growing thanks to the comic videos she posts on Instagram and her new music career.
Samuel de Luque @Vegetta777
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FLZX_iBiQ/
Samuel de Luque makes videos about popular video games like Minecraft and Battlefield. The Influencer and YouTube sensation shares with his millions of followers tricks and updates on the most popular games of the season.
Ruben Doblas Gundersen @elrubiuswtf
This gamer has the second-most-subscribed-to channel on YouTube and is also doing pretty good on Instagram. Ruben Doblas Gundersen shares with his community of over 10.6 millions, gaming videos and how passionate he is about Japan and Pokemon.
Michelle Lewin @michelle_lewin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ZfbRRnxzx/
Known as “La Cuerpa” (The Body), Lewin is an icon in the fitness world. Her 13.4 million followers can enjoy daily doses of the best workouts to build and tone your body.
This Venezuelan mamacita also offers a training app and a personalized meal plan, plus hundreds of recipes and grocery lists so you can reach your goals faster.
Massiel Arias @massy.arias
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1JqGAMgMAE/
Massiel Arias a.k.a MankoFit or Massy Arias is a Health Coach and Fitness Influencer from the Dominican Republic. Based in Los Angeles, California, Arias shares with her 2.6 million followers healthy strategies when it comes to food choices plus exercise routines that can even be adapted to moms and their hectic lives.
Arias is also the CEO of Tru Supplements, a vegan-friendly, Non-GMO, Soy & Gluten Free alternative to add nutrients to your diet.
Lorena Garcia @cheflorena
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wSxMSg7GD/
Lorena Garcia is a professional chef, entrepreneur, cookbook author, media personality, cookware designer and restaurateur based in the United States. She is known for fusioning styles, flavors and techniques from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico’s cuisine.
Chef Lorena founded her non-profit program “Big Chef, Little Chef” to help children and their families take control of their eating habits.
Aarón Sánchez @chef_aaronsanchez
Aarón Sánchez is a professional chef, cookbook author and philanthropist that makes us drool over his mouth watering recipes. This Mexican cooker is based in New Orleans, LA. and is known for preserving his family’s legacy through food and encouraging diversity in the kitchen.
Juan Manuel Barrientos @juanmaelcielo
Born in Medellin, Colombia, Juan Manuel Barrientos one of the 50 best chefs of Latin America according to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. This one-of-a-kind cooker, businessman and advocate has cooked for long list of celebs including Colombian actress Sofía Vergara, singers Maluma, Carlos Vives, Nicky Jam soccer player David Beckham and supermodel Cindy Crawford.