NT’s top 10 most powerful social influencers revealed for 2022
From musicians to former reality TV stars and models, the Territory boasts an eclectic variety of influencers showcasing their lifestyles across multiple platforms. Find out who made the top 10.
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From musicians to former reality TV stars and models, the Territory boasts an eclectic variety of influencers showcasing their lifestyles across multiple platforms.
But it’s not just the number of followers that will ensure they make the cut on the NT News’ Most Powerful list, which is back with a twist.
The list will be launched with a series of top 10 most powerfuls across the Territory’s leading sectors.
Today, we reveal the 10 most powerful influencers, including Baker Boy who won five ARIA Awards in November last year and Minoli De Silva who rose to fame on MasterChef Australia and has since opened her own restaurant in Darwin.
These Territory influencers are putting the NT on the map internationally via social media.
But where will they end up on the final Most Powerful 120 list?
The series of top 10s will culminate in the countdown to the much-anticipated Most Powerful 120.
10. J-Milla
Mak Mak Marranungu rapper J-Milla continues to make sound waves across the nation with another hit single this year.
The hip hop artist collaborated with fellow Indigenous musician Xavier Rudd to produce ‘Ball and Chain’.
The hit was nominated for the National Indigenous Music Award’s 2022 Song of the Year.
J-Milla was projected to become the next big name in the Australian rap game earlier this year.
He took to the stage at this year’s BASSINTHEGRASS music festival.
J-Milla welcomed his daughter Blossom to the world and proposed to partner Poppy Radbone.
The sky is the limit for the Territory born and bred rapper, and no doubt his 24,800 online fans are eagerly awaiting his next big move.
9. Cindy Rostron
TikToker and model Rostron is revolutionising the Australian fashion industry by combining traditional and contemporary garments.
With more than 137,600 followers on TikTok and 12,900 on Instagram, the 17-year-old is quickly becoming a big name in the fashion game.
Rostron this year featured on the cover of Vogue, alongside fellow power-player Magnolia Maymuru.
Her magazine debut came just six months after her entrance into the fashion world.
When she wasn’t walking the runway or posing for pics, Rostron was knee-deep in her studies and graduated this year.
8. King Stingray
Top End rock band King Stingray released its debut album this year, and has been selling out shows across the country since then.
The band announced its mission statement declaring its wish to “open the eyes of a nation while simultaneously rocking its socks off” alongside the self-titled album.
The five-piece crew describes the band’s sound as “Yolngu surf rock”, and with 36,000 followers on Instagram, it’s clear the fresh beats are a hit with music-lovers across the world.
King Stingray has been named an official artist for next year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.
We’re sure the Aussie band is set to take the world by storm in the coming year.
7. Joshua Griffen
Otherworldly photographer Griffen rose to TikTok fame this year thanks to his unearthly imagery and behind-the-scenes videos.
Boasting more than 662,400 followers on TikTok and 125,000 on Instagram, the NT artist has cast a spell on the internet with his magical pics.
His social media content is filled with colour, lights, and glitter, adding a touch of magic to his followers’ curated feeds.
Griffen has no doubt inspired thousands to try their hand at staging a captivating photo shoot, either behind or in front of the camera.
6. Jess Mauboy
Mauboy returned to Darwin this year to headline the BASSINTHEGRASS music festival, bringing in festival-goers from across the country.
She also married long-term beau Themeli Magripilis.
The singer was a judge on The Voice television series once more and has built her online following to a huge 400,000 strong.
One of Australia’s most successful female artists, 33-year-old Mauboy came from humble beginnings, growing up in Wulagi.
Mauboy’s family originated from the Indigenous tribe Kuku Yalanji.
Mauboy boasts five top-10 albums, 15 top-20 singles, four ARIA-accredited platinum selling albums and two ARIA Music Awards from 24 nominations.
She’s on the list despite overlooking the Top End on her 2022 Australian tour because we love Mauboy.
5. Minoli De Silva
Top End chef De Silva has gone from strength to strength since her first stint on MasterChef Australia.
The fan-favourite opened her first Darwin-based restaurant in June 2022, bringing modern Sri Lankan flavours to the Territory.
She also returned to the screen for season 14 of MasterChef and has grown her online following to 59,600 on Instagram.
De Silva doesn’t just use her growing platform to share good food, she also raises awareness for breast cancer through stories from her own diagnosis.
4. Magnolia Maymuru
Award-winning actress and model Maymuru became the only Indigenous woman to appear twice on the cover of Vogue this year.
By 19, Maymuru was the first Aboriginal woman form the NT to make it to the Miss World Australia finals.
The rising star has since been in high demand, and walked the runway at Melbourne Fashion week this year.
The East Arnhem Land model said it tugged on her heart to be an inspiration and positive figure to those around her.
She frequently shares candids of her family, friends, and career with 18,800 followers on Instagram.
3. Kaia Wright
A writer and model by trade and increasingly notable public figure, Wright has had a big year in 2022.
The numbers speak for themselves - Wright’s Instagram following jumped from 20,900 to 91,700 since May.
Wright announced the pregnancy and birth of her daughter Dusty alongside partner Matt, and made her global television debut in Netflix’s Wild Territory.
She also stepped into the beauty world with a Biolage hair-care partnership, claiming she was ditching the “mum bun” for weekly self-care that started at her roots.
Her claim to fame no doubt increased thanks to her husband’s popular TV series and adventure tourism businesses but the beauty has no doubt stepped out of his shadow and made waves of her own in the Territory community.
2. Jane Lewis
Raintree Art gallery owner Lewis has amassed a cult following on TikTok after sharing some of the NT’s Aboriginal artists painting their artwork before it is sold.
Lewis shares work from artists across the Top End and Central Australia with more than 83,400 followers, and art-lovers can purchase the one-of-a-kind pieces for themselves online.
She launched the account in February 2020 and has said the women are “flourishing in the art industry”.
The gallery itself is located in Victoria, but its no surprise the vibrant account has made a splash across the country.
1. Danzal Baker (Baker Boy)
Baker Boy takes the Northern Territory’s Indigenous culture to the national stage and took home five Aria awards this year.
Born in Darwin, Baker Boy grew up in the Arnhem Land communities of Milingimbi and Maningrida and was an original member of the Djuki Mala dance troupe.
Baker Boy is quickly gaining influence in online music communities with more than 96,300 followers on Instagram and 45,500 on TikTok.
The rising star is set to make an appearance at BASSINTHEGRASS 2023.
Baker Boy has said that he wants to be an inspiration to Indigenous kids living in remote communities, and to combat “shame”.
Many of his singles are sung in language.
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