30 under 30: Meet the young South Aussie influencers turning Instagram into careers
From comedians to fashionistas to budding entrepreneurs, these young South Aussies are taking over Instagram and making the app a full-time career.
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Social media platforms like Instagram have become a hotspot for discovering new talent – and South Australia is no exception.
From comedians to fashionistas to budding entrepreneurs, a new generation of up-and-coming influencers are making waves on the platform, captivating audiences with their unique talents, charm and stories.
Meet 30 young South Aussies Instagram sensations under the age of 30 and see what they bring to the virtual table.
Danni Leeson, 24
Handle: @dannileeson
Followers: 4.5k
A deli worker by day and an influencer by night this Moana woman’s goal is to turn Instagram into a full time job.
Once an aspiring model Danni Leeson found the industry toxic and instead decided to pursue influencing in 2022.
Now the 24-year-old is a rising star of the South Australian fashion scene on Instagram, and in less than two years has grown her following to 4.5k.
“I decided to become an influencer because I originally wanted to model but found modelling agencies to be toxic; whereas on Instagram clothing brands worked with women of all sizes,” Leeson said.
“I wanted to be a part of inspiring others to be confident in themselves too.”
Since making the switch, Leeson has worked with numerous clothing, hair and skin brands including Hello Molly and Zala Hair Extensions.
But it’s not as simple as just posting pretty pictures, according to the British and Singaporean woman who says it’s the work behind the screen that matters.
“A lot of planning goes into creating content, especially as I’m a perfectionist with all my content,” she said.
“Each week, I spend two to three days creating content. On all the other days of the week, I plan new content, look for new places to go and clothing that matches my theme.
Leeson said as someone who lives with anxiety, her biggest challenge was staying consistent even on her bad days.
And while she said it was important to give “100 per cent of your energy” into growing a brand, downtime is just as important.
“Not everyday is perfect and on bad days it’s hard to portray yourself as confident, especially when you’re feeling the furthest from it,” she said.
“It’s important to save time to spend with family and friends and doing the things you love without feeling like you need to be working.”
Looking ahead, the young gun of the gram is determined to turn influencing into a full-time career with hopes of creating her own clothing collection and travel content.
Joshua Cavallo, 24
Handle: @joshua.cavallo
Followers: 909k
Adelaide United football star Joshua Cavallo posts snippets of his life including his on-pitch proposal to partner Leighton Morrel at Coopers Stadium earlier this month.
In 2021, he became the first known out gay top-flight player in the world at the time and has since used his platform as a proud advocate for the LGBT+ community.
Tayla Goody, 26
Handle: @taygoodyfitness
Followers: 133k
Tayla Goody is a trainer, coach and Muscle Nation model who shares her life with her followers on Instagram, where she posts fitness, fashion, and travel content.
You’ll often see her sharing beach pictures, gym videos and posing in stylish activewear.
Annie D, 30
Handle: @annieee_d
Followers: 110k
A lover of all things girly and pink, Annie D’s feed is full of the cutest beauty products, outfits and satin bows galore.
When not showing off her makeup collection, the beauty queen enjoys sharing snaps of her latest travels and restaurant trips.
Liam Swiderski, 21
Handle: @liamswiderski
Followers: 92.5k
When he’s not busy on the farm, Liam Swiderski can be found cuddling up to baby ducklings and swimming with cows.
On Instagram, the Hahndorf Farm Barn farmer keeps his followers up to date with his latest animal adventures and outings with friends.
Marcus Costanzo, 23
Handle: @marcus.costanzo
Followers: 62.9k
Marcus Costanzo’s Insta feed is a foodie lovers dream with the MKR finalist regularly posting his latest culinary creations and collaborations.
The 23-year-old recently released his first online cookbook and hosted a cooking class at his alma mater Christian Brothers College to inspire the next generation of master chefs.
Michelle Lai, 24
Handle: @michellelky_
Followers: 45.4k
If you need outfit inspo, look no further than Michelle Lai’s Instagram feed which features her latest fashion hauls and outfit ideas for your next date night or coffee run.
Lai also enjoys sharing her outings across the city and progress in the gym.
Mali Isabel, 24
Handle: @maliisabelart
Followers: 23.5k
Known for her bold and vibrant artstyle, Arabana and Kokatha artist Mali Isabel posts her colourful art and statement pieces on Instagram.
Recently she joined forces with Casetify to release a collection of phone cases and designed Adelaide United’s pride round guernsey for 2024.
Bethany Jarvis, 23
Handle: @bethanyjarvis
Followers: 43.3k
Bethany Jarvis is a familiar face on Adelaide’s social scene and often spends her time jetsetting around the country attending events and festivals including Australian Fashion Week and Splendour in the Grass.
Alongside her own socials, Jarvis also handles content and marketing for South Australian alcohol brand, South Ave.
Rylee Cooper, 24
Handle: @datenightadl
Followers: 39.5k
Adelaide content creator turned matchmaker Rylee Cooper is the face behind Date Night Adelaide, an account dedicated to showing off “date ideas, stunning stays and vibey food recs” in SA.
From posting vlogs showing off the best food the state has to offer, Cooper now hosts sellout events for singles sick off dating apps to make new friends and possibly find the one.
Brooke Robran, 21
Handle: @brookerobran
Followers: 39k
Brooke Robran posts her latest outfits, travels and vlogs ranging from her creating her next concert outfit to filming content on the streets of Adelaide to inspire confidence in others.
Robran’s platform is dedicated to “spreading self love always” with the 21-year-old regularly reminding her followers to be kind to themselves and others.
Niamh Anaya, 23
Handle: @niamhyk333
Followers: 30.6k
Disability support worker Niamh Anaya is the founder of New Generation Support, sharing snippets of her everyday life with her followers.
Diagnosed with endometriosis as a teen, Anaya is turning her pain into power by raising awareness on the condition, which affects 1 in 7 Australian women and girls.
Zarah Davey, 29
Handle: @zarah_davey
Followers: 29.9k
Zarah Davey’s feed is full of food, fashion and most importantly family.
The Adelaide mum documents her life raising three boys alongside husband, Matt, sharing family trips and milestones with her followers.
Hallie & Maddi Newman, 22
Handle: @hallieandmaddi
Followers: 29k
AFLW Crows winger Maddi Newman and her fashion designer twin sister Hallie have gained social media fame posting comedy skit videos featuring characters such as the ‘rich mums’, the ‘unhinged camp instructors’, and the ‘worst customers in the world’.
When not sharing their latest skit, the twins use their joint account to promote their fashion brand, Seeing Double, and the AFLW.
George Alice, 20
Handle: @georgealicemusic
Followers: 25.4k
Known professionally as George Alice, 20-year-old Georgia Mannion rose to fame after winning Triple J’s Unearthed High Competition for her debut single “Circles” in 2019.
Mannion keeps her followers up to date with her latest music endeavours, regularly posting snippets of new music, upcoming gigs and behind the scenes content on tour.
Natasha aka Atomix Pixie, 24
Handle: @atomixpixie
Followers: 23.5k
Known online as Atomix Pixie, Natasha is a self described alchemist, artist and “AuDHDer” who posts fashion content, beauty tutorials and vlogs.
She also doesn’t shy away from getting candid with her followers, regularly sharing personal stories and musings.
Issy Ryles, 23
Handle: @issy.ryles
Followers: 15.3k
Physio student Issy Ryles shares her travels, outfits and vlogs to the grid.
On her page you’ll find plenty of beach and festival snaps along with snaps of Ryles out and about with her nearest and dearest.
Taydam Knowles, 23
Handle: @taydamknowles
Followers: 12.6k
Social media consultant, presenter and producer Taydam Knowles is general manager of The Adelaide Set, dedicated to showcasing SA’s everyday heroes.
Knowles uses her platform to share inspirational content with her followers and raise awareness for substance abuse and misuse by sharing her experience growing up in a broken home.
Mitchell Ö’Leary, 23
Handle: @jumbleteeth
Followers: 12.1k
Entrepreneur and content creator Mitchell Ö’Leary shows off his outfits and influencer outings, including the moment he got to rub shoulders with ‘Saltburn’ actor Jacob Elordi last March.
Ö’Leary is one-half of the duo behind fashion brand, Outdated Collective, co-founded with friend Cooper Williams who can be found at @cooperrwilliams.
Sophie Cox, 24
Handle: @sophies__sweets
Followers: 7.2k
Sophie Cox, who was previously the head pastry chef at Leabrook Bakehouse and Patisserie, is a content creator “baking croissants by day and cakes by night” in Adelaide’s east.
When it comes to cakes, the more colourful, the better for Cox who loves using floral and retro designs to create the cutest cakes.
Rosaria Rita Daniel, 20
Handle: @rosaria.rita.daniel
Followers: 3.8k
Art director Rosaria Rita Daniel’s platform is dedicated to luxury aesthetics and the very best of Australian fashion.
Rosaria is the founder of RRD Creative Content, a content creation agency driven by her passion for fashion-related content.
Kayla Ruggiero, 23
Handle: @kaylaruggiero_
Followers: 2.7k
Adelaide thrift-fluencer Kayla Ruggiero proves you don’t need to break the bank to look good, showing off her thrifted ‘fits online.
In 2020 she began posting her thrift hauls on TikTok and has since amassed over 10k followers on the platform which she now uses to document her op shop trips across the state.
“A lot of people you know might see an op shop and just walk by and not really know what’s inside so I love to share the possibilities of what people can find,” she told The Advertiser.
Leah Itsines, 29
Handle: @leahitsines
Followers: 579k
Following in the footsteps of older sister Kayla, Leah Itsines has made her mark in the nutrition world as the founder of health supplements brand, Yes Please Health.
Itsines regularly shares healthy mouth-watering recipes with her followers along with heartwarming snaps with husband Mitch Caon and two-year-old daughter Gigi.
Erika Owens, 29
Handle: @glitterbuggin
Followers: 458k
From outfit of the day videos to comedy skits, self-described human rainbow Erika Owen’s posts provide the perfect pop of colour for your feed.
In 2020, Owen appeared on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days and now runs her own “maximalist” accessories brand, GLITTERBUGGIN.
Kwame Duah, 30
Handle: @kwameduah
Followers: 400k
You may already know Kwame Duah for his superhuman strength seen on Ninja Warrior and Gladiators.
The SA-based bodybuilder has generated a huge following from posting his workout routines along with his comedic skits showing off his funny side.
Peach PRC aka Shaylee Curnow, 26
Handle: @peachprc
Followers: 298k
Pink pop princess and TikTok sensation Peach PRC, real name Shaylee Curnow, has won hearts across the world for her unique style, authenticity and angelic voice.
After leading a stellar line-up for this year’s Australian Open Pride Day, Curnow is now days away from kicking off her biggest headline shows to date for her east coast “Secret PRC” tour.
Claudia Bonifazio, 24
Handle: @claudiabonifazio
Followers: 217k
Adelaide born beauty and Love Island Australia season four winner Claudia Bonifazio keeps her followers updated with pictures of her luxurious outfits and travel adventures.
Last year she made the switch from reality television to the big screen for her first major acting role in Tim Pine’s latest horror thriller, Spithood.
Adam Ludewig, 20
Handle: @_.adamludewigofficial._
Followers: 109k
When it comes to Adam Ludewig, it’s hard to tell what’s more impressive; his luscious locks or killer vocals.
The 20-year-old was a contestant on The Voice Australia in 2020 and continues to captivate fans with his music, hinting at a potential album later this year.
Brooke Upton, 24
Handle: @brooke.upton
Followers: 97.8k
Insta It-Girl Brooke Upton’s feed is a Pinterest board come to life with effortlessly chic outfits and cool candids.
Upton often shares fashion and styling tips and recently took a girl’s trip to New York City with bestie Emily Andrewartha who you can follow @emilyandrewartha_.
Stavros Kapoulitsas, 24
Handle: @stavroskap_
Followers: 73.5k
With 1.4 million followers on TikTok, Adelaide tradie Stavros Kapoulitsas has gained fame for his relatable posts and comedy sketches inspired by everyday life.
His sketches regularly feature on his Instagram feed along with the occasional selfie, outing or latest drop from his brand, Bad1 Clothing.
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