Tal Hymans, Tracy Naughton, Mr Bean Noosa’s most popular influencers | List
From household pets to hardworking business moguls, these are 20 of Noosa’s biggest social media stars and how much they earn.
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For years Noosa has long been regarded as an epicentre of glamour and beauty; from its expensive houses dotting the main streets to its pristine beaches and award-winning businesses.
But among those lucky enough to call the Noosa region home, some have drawn the attention and adoration of thousands with their presence on social media.
From fashion designers to comedian gamers, here are 20 Noosa influencers and content creators and how much they earn per sponsored post according to the Instagram Sponsored Post Money Calculator:
20. Cheki Fischer (@onefitmumma)
Followers: 3,891
Noosa women’s personal trainer Cheki Fischer, known by her thousands of Instagram followers as ‘One Fit Mumma’, is more than just your typical personal trainer on Instagram.
Ms Fischer has been a personal trainer for more than a decade, and uses her following to inspire and encourage other mothers, saying its possible to take care of yourself while caring for little ones.
19. Heidi O’Brien (@Heidiobrienart)
Followers: 4,079
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $41.25 – $68.75
Engagement rate: 3.82%
Noosa-based artist Heidi O’Brien uses her social media to showcase her stunning paintings, which typically surround the beauty of Noosa – from the beaches to marine life and seashells.
Her artwork displayed on her social media is readily available from her website. Ms O’Brien offers commissioned artworks as well.
18. Sammy (@sincerely—sammy)
Followers: 10,109
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $66 – $110
Engagement rate: 3.28%
Noosa content creator Sammy Yates doesn’t fit the mould of your stereotypical influencer.
At 62, she is “living her best life” as she puts it, creating relatable fitness, food, lifestyle and beauty content for her tens of thousands of followers.
17. Sara Leonardi McGrath (@saraleonmcgrath)
Followers: 13,023
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $78 – $130
Engagement rate: 1.36%
Noosa mum and wife of retired cricketer Glenn McGrath, Sara McGrath dedicates her Instagram platform to sharing touching moments with her family, and promoting her fashion label – It’s A Fad.
The women’s fashion label, established in 2019, includes everything from tie-dye creations to linen ensembles perfect for the beach.
But despite her massive following, Mrs McGrath said she doesn’t consider herself an “influencer” and “genuinely just (has) fun” with her platform.
“To be honest, I only figured out how to do a reel last month,” she said.
There is no criteria she follows for her posts, she said, only what interests her at the time or if it involves her label or business endeavours from her friends.
“I share mostly my clothes, funny videos, photos of interiors ... I share (posts from the) McGrath Foundation and other charitable causes that are important to me,” she said.
The McGrath Foundation, which aims to provide free support to Breast Cancer patients across Australia, was founded in 2005 after Glenn McGrath’s late wife Jane passed away following a second breast cancer diagnosis.
She said a lot of women had messaged her through Instagram in the past asking about “blended families”, or have shared their stories about pre-eclampsia or premature babies.
16. Ruby Sillato (@rubynoosa)
Followers: 16,418
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $98.25 – $163.75
Engagement rate: 0.98%
Noosa-based influencer and mother-of-two Ruby Sillato moved to Australia more than a decade ago, but has since established a strong Instagram following by sharing a mix of cooking and lifestyle posts.
She hosted a live streamed cooking show through her social media channels and has collaborated with a range of local brands such as Noosa Gelato and Tanglewood Bakery.
Ms Sillato told the Sunshine Coast Daily her journey online began when she started livestreaming to connect with others after a traumatic separation and becoming a single mum.
“The aim of my presence online was simply to connect with people that didn’t know me because I didn’t want to be judged or known locally about my situation,” she said.
“Live streaming back then was unusual and unknown to Australia, it was a new way to socialise. I could see the potential and realised maybe there was something more.”
It was only when she decided to share her passion for cooking and some of her recipes online, one viewer suggested she start her own cooking show.
The Ruby Noosa brand began as a hobby, she said, but as her audience grew, she was given the opportunity to earn money from her livestreams and it soon became her new job.
Her platform later expanded past just cooking videos, and by connecting with her audience she adopted the motto “choose joy”.
“I love video content like Tik Tok and Reels, it’s so creative and give me a stage that is open to the world,” she said.
“I love teaching video content creation and educate small businesses about the power of social media nowadays. It’s personal and less marketing. It’s a whole new dimension of traditional advertising.”
15. Mr Bean, Boo and Wolf (@the.adventures.of.mr.bean)
Followers: 17,027
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $101.24 – $168.75
Engagement rate: 1.16%
Who said influencers had to be human beings? This Noosa-based doggie trio consists of German Shepherd Wolf and British bulldogs Mr Bean and Boo.
Together, the three pooches create some pawsome content for more than 17,000 Instagram followers. Their posts range from hilarious reels dressed up in sunglasses and doggie surf-life saving outfits to adorable snaps at the beach.
Owner Angie said the page was started as a hobby after her world was rocked by her six-year-old son’s leukaemia diagnosis.
Following the heartbreaking news, she adopted a puppy and took up photography as a “positive distraction”.
Now, she uses the app to connect with other pet lovers and spread “positivity, kindness and love whilst showcasing beautiful Noosa from the hinterland to the sea.”
“It is an absolute honour to be able to connect with people and make them smile,” she said.
“I also enjoy sharing snippets of Noosa, whether it be farm or beach life – I truly believe we live in paradise.”
But above all, she said she loved spending time with her dogs.
14. Tony Rapacioli (@tonynoosa)
Followers: 15,473
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $105 – $175
Engagement rate: 9.87%
Noosa man Tony Rapacioli is many things: a surfer, a musician and a photographer.
His Instagram page is decorated with hundreds of aesthetically pleasing shots of the Noosa main beach and its pristine, crystal clear waters. His limited edition prints are available for purchase on his website.
13. Madison Jones (@madisonbaileyjones)
Followers: 19,084
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $114 – $190
Engagement rate: 0.49%
Former Noosa District State High School student Madison Jones has already got a number of achievements under his belt before he has turned 25.
The young dad is the founder of Beau Model Management, Airase Copyright, Dinero Group, Reveal Group and Jones Consulting Group.
He was last known to be living in Sydney and announced his marriage to his partner, Lacey, in September 2022. The couple share a 13-month-old son, Carter.
12. Abbie Slavin (@abbie—slavin)
Followers: 20,463
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $126.75 – $211.25
Engagement rate: 2.69%
Former St Theresa’s student Abbie Slavin established her status as a fitness guru when she became a fully endorsed EHPlabs athlete in 2018.
She uses her Instagram to share her fitness journey with her followers as a World Beauty Fitness and Fashion professional competitor.
11. Emily Ghougassian (@emilyghougassian)
Followers: 29,651
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $147 – $245
Engagement rate: 0.52%
Melbourne-born, Noosa-based beauty influencer and mother of three Emily Ghougassian moved to the Noosa region in September 2022, and brought her thousands of followers along for the ride.
She first gained a following after appearing on Sam Wood’s season of the Bachelor in 2015, but her activity on the app quickly evolved from sharing insight into the glamorous aspect of her life.
“I love connecting with my audience, and always try to get back to as many direct messages as I can. Given I’ve always been a bit of an over sharer, it feels quite natural for me to share aspects of my life with people,” she said.
Now, her content consists of her journey through motherhood, though she said she especially enjoys sharing skincare tips.
“(My) favourite thing about my platform would have to be the amazing people I’ve met through it. Whether it’s other content creators, or followers, I’ve made some beautiful friendships out of it.”
10. Tracy Naughton (@letmesea)
Followers: 31,800
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $159 – $265
Engagement rate: 1.59%
Artist Tracy Naughton uses her social media following to showcase her stunning photography, most of which surrounds the stunning scenery in Noosa.
“It is basically a portfolio of my work and an integral part to most businesses these days,” she told the Sunshine Coast Daily in March.
“I consider the influencing side of things an extra to what I do, if people are interested in my work and like my style and I am approached by a brand to work together, it has to be something that aligns with my brand and a quality product.
“Creating in general is just a part of who I am and sharing that work through social media makes me happy for the connection I have found to other people online and in real life.”
9. Corey Tonge (@coreytonge)
Followers: 33,562
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $171.75 – $286.25
Engagement rate: 3.28%
Former Noosa F45 trainer Corey Tonge began growing his social media presence in 2020, and within two years has amassed millions of followers across Tik Tok and Instagram.
His content consists of comedy videos on Instagram, and gaming and comedy videos on Tik Tok. The 31-year-old now lives in Canada with his partner Destiny Caldwell, better known on social media as Dessy.
8. Freya Prout (@freyaprout)
Followers: 35,895
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $184.5 – $307.5
Engagement rate: 4.05%
Former St Theresa’s Catholic College student Freya Prout has established herself as a force to be reckoned with on Instagram, with more than 30,000 followers.
Her content consists of fashion and style, and showing behind the scenes content from her various photo shoots with Australian fashion brands such as City Beach.
7. Lexie Murray (@lexieemurray)
Followers: 41,789
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $208.5 – $347.5
Engagement rate: 1.53%
Good Shepherd Lutheran College graduate Lexie Murray has cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with as a social media mogul, after she founded Be Seen Socials in 2020 and went on to become a co-host of podcast She’s The Boss with Georgie Rafferty.
She now lives in Sydney, and promotes popular fashion brands including STAX and Steele.
Ms Murray said she uses her platform to promote Be Seen Socials and to provide insight into her every day life as a content creator.
Her social media journey began when she was in Year 12, where she would spend weekends with her friends, posting photos to social media.
“(This) then followed by finishing school and starting at university in Brisbane where I’d started receiving gifts from brands in return for promotion and small fees which by the end of my degree turned into my part time job,” she said.
Her favourite thing about her platform was that it gives her the ability to travel and work, while also knowing it has created a space for Be Seen Socials, she said.
6. Tal Hymans (@talhymans)
Followers: 45,627
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $226.5 – $377.5
Engagement rate: 0.64%
Up and coming actor and model Tal Hymans graduated from Sunshine Beach in 2016, but has been making leaps and bounds in her career since.
In 2021, she starred as Lotti in the TV series Casino Beach, and in June 2022 was announced as the lead role in supernatural horror film The Haunting at St Joseph’s, which is to be released in 2023.
She said her social media journey began like most – with the intention of connecting with people and sharing the highlights of her every day life. But it soon became a useful tool.
“It became a great way for people in the industry to contact me for work which has grown to the point where modelling and acting is my full-time employment,” she said.
“I love the idea that I can check my DMs (sic) one day, meet creatives the next and be working on a fun project with them a week later.
“Having people to resonate with when I share my life and meeting other creatives through social media excites me.
“If you permit me to be poetry, we are here for a good time not a long time.”
She loves “sinking her teeth” into campaigns for brands and adding her enthusiasm and energy to projects, while alternatively following people who inspire.
5. Eliza Kohler (@elizakohler)
Followers: 60,656
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $240.75 – $401.25
Engagement rate: 1.02%
Despite more amassing more than 60,000 followers on Instagram, former St Theresa’s Catholic College student Eliza Kohler is not a full-time influencer.
After graduating from Sunshine Coast University in 2019, she went on to become a registered nurse; a journey she shared with her followers online.
Among her aesthetically pleasing photos, she shares inspiring posts to uplift the nursing community.
4. Sophie Jayne Miller (@sophiejaynemiller)
Followers: 93,637
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $381 – $635
Engagement rate: 9.92%
Businesswoman and podcast host Sophie Jayne Miller has cemented herself as a social media giant, having amassed more than 90,000 followers at the age of 23.
In February 2021, she began the Drink More Water podcast alongside co-host and fellow Noosa alum Riley Dixon, and only three months later in May, founded Decision Made.
She said she uses her platform for what she went to social media for: “comfort, reassurance, inspiration and sometimes just a good old laugh”.
“I absolutely love feeling like I can do something as small as put a smile on even one of my viewer‘s face in a day,” she said.
“I aim to make girls feel good about themselves and their bodies in every way possible.”
Ms Miller said she grew up wanting to be an actor and spent her childhood making home movies, which in hindsight resembled modern day vlogging.
“It still shocks me even to this day I was able to turn my favourite hobby into a career! Pinch me moments happen weekly,” she said.
Social media served as a creative outlet, she said, and her favourite thing about her platform was the friends she made along the way and being apart of something so powerful.
3. Lilliana Bowrey (@lillianabowrey)
Followers: 99,953
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $405.75 – $676.25
Engagement rate: 9.25%
Noosa-bred surfing champion Lilliana Bowrey is an athlete first and foremost, but her authenticity online led to her gaining a following and evolving into an influencer and actor.
In a post from June 2022, she said she started surfing at five-years-old and began competing at eight-years-old.
Now, at 17-years-old, she has cemented herself as an all-rounded superstar.
She told the Sunshine Coast Daily she uses her platform to “inspire others to be themselves”.
“If I can be real, then I hope others can be too without having to hide anything,” she said.
“(My Instagram account) was originally created as a portfolio of my surfing but has organically turned in to showcasing both my surfing and the life that surfing has provided me.
“It gained followers over the years from my results and took off dramatically after the release of my Netflix series Surviving Summer.”
Her favourite thing about her platform was that it allowed her to connect to her audience, and hearing she had inspired others to surf or to be more comfortable being themselves.
She has been sponsored by big-surfing brands including Billabong and Noosa-based company Thomas Surfboards throughout her career.
2. Adriano Zumbo (@thesweetassassin)
Followers: 315,900
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $942 – $1,570
Engagement rate: 0.43%
Sunshine Coast based chef and patissier Adriano Zumbo shot to fame after he appeared on the 2009 season of MasterChef and won the hearts of thousands with his creative desserts.
Known as “The Sweet Assassin”, Mr Zumbo and his now wife Nelly live on the Sunshine Coast.
The couple got married at a beautiful hinterland wedding in May 2022. In March, Mr Zumbo launched a new restaurant, Zumbo Test, in Rene St, Noosaville.
1. Amanda Shadforth (@amandashadforth)
Followers: 688,756
Estimated earnings per sponsored post: $2,053 – $3,422
Engagement rate: 0.06%
Dubbed “Noosa’s Cool Girl” by Noosa Style Magazine, Amanda Shadforth is likely one of the most successful artists to come out of the region.
She began her career as a contemporary artist, according to her LinkedIn page, but moved into the digital artspace when she launched Oracle Fox, described as Ms Shadforth’s “expression of (her) passion for art, travel, culture and fashion, in addition to being the perfect destination for professionally curated content captured through the lens of a talented artist”.
She has now cemented herself as a fashion influencer to be reckoned with.
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