These days, social media rules the world. Thanks to technology that allows people to communicate like never before, people can now share almost every aspect of their lives. When it comes to keeping friends and family up to date on your latest adventures, there’s nothing that compares to Instagram. Sure, there’s still Facebook for those who actually want to keep in touch, but Instagram allows users to share their experiences without a lot of the unnecessary frills. As a result, many celebrities have started using Instagram as a way to connect with their fans, and some have even become celebrities thanks to Instagram. With 2015 coming to a close, and a new year on the horizon, some Instagram users are planning on continuing their rise to the top. Here are 20 Instagrammers that will be a hit in 2016.
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Summerella
Summerella is part of a new generation of young social media users who has found a way to use the platform to achieve incredible success. While some people may not see the value in sitting around and taking selfies all day, some people have proven that there is a lot of potential in learning to use social media to your advantage. In just a small amount of time, the 20-year-old Atlanta native has amassed 1 million followers on Instagram, and has already shown interest in expanding her ‘fame’ to include other ventures.
image via instagram.com/_summerella_
Wolf Tyla
19-year-old Tyla Parham, better-known as Wolf Tyla, is another Instagram user who has found a way to use social media to her advantage. Although she initially gained a following by recording six second videos on Vine, Wolf Tyla has transitioned to Instagram and has gained a very strong following in the process. Now embarking on a music career, 2016 will likely be a big year for Tyla.
image via instagram.com/woftyla
Amy Schumer
2015 has been a great year for comedian/actress, Amy Schumer, and her success on the screen has also resulted in some serious social media growth. Even people who aren’t fans of her work have become followers on her Instagram account, and with her regular posting of throw back photos, she’s definitely someone you’ll want to see on your timeline.
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Ayesha Curry
Recently, her comments on how women should dress have made basketball wife, Ayesha Curry, the topic of discussions all over the Internet. As a result, her Instagram following has grown, and it’s likely that she’ll become even more popular – especially if her husband, Steph Curry, continues to dominate on the court.
image via instagram.com/ayeshacurry
Rihanna
With 31 million devoted Instagram followers, Rihanna is one of the most popular stars on the platform. However, 2015 has been a relatively quiet year on the star’s account. With that being said, her reputation for checking any fan that ‘comes for’ her is no secret, and with a new album getting ready to drop there’s no doubt that Rihanna’s Instagram account will be seeing a lot of activity in the new year.
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Dej Loaf
In the last year, the Detroit based rapper, Dej Loaf, has become somewhat of an overnight success. Her debut single “Try Me” catapulted her into the spotlight, and now she’s working with some of the biggest artists in the game. As her fame continues to grow, there’s no doubt that the number of followers on her Instagram will do the same.
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Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor
NBA player, Iman Shumpert, and his fiancé, singer, Teyana Taylor, have quickly become one of Instagram’s most popular celebrity couples. Their followers just can’t seem to get enough of them, and the recent birth of their daughter has only made them more popular. Since both of their accounts are likely to fill up with baby pictures in the upcoming year, there’s no doubt that 2016 is going to be a great year for them.
image via instagram.com/teyanataylor
Justin Bieber
Let’s be real, as long as he has an Instagram account, he’s always going to be a big deal on the platform. Justin Bieber is currently one of the biggest stars in the world, and even though there are a lot of people who can’t stand him – there are many more who are absolutely obsessed. With his current album continuing to climb the charts, Bieber is definitely going to go into 2016 strong.
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Drake
It goes without saying that Drake is one of the biggest names in hip-hop. The Canadian super star has taken the entire industry by storm, and in just a few years he’s risen all the way to the top. Although he wasn’t always super active on Instagram, over the last year he’s been posting more often, and it doesn’t seem like he’s going to stop any time soon.
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The Game
Originally rising to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the rap crew, G-Unit, The Game’s career has caught a second wind – largely thanks to social media. The West Coast rapper has become well-known for posting all types of crazy and funny things on his Instagram account, and his popularity is only continuing to grow.
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Caitlyn Jenner
2015 has been a big year for Caitlyn Jenner. After making her very public transition, she’s been getting even more media attention than usual. As she continues to live her life as a female, there’s no doubt that there are going to be even more people who want to follow her on her journey.
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Nicki Minaj
There are lots of reasons to follow Nicki Minaj on Instagram, but these days one of the biggest is to stay updated on her relationship with Meek Mill. After Meek and Drake went at it earlier this year, fans were faithfully checking Nicki’s Instagram looking for signs to determine whether or not the couple split. Although all seems well between the couple, following her on Instagram will definitely keep you in the loop.
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Gigi Hadid
Although she is just 20 years-old, Gigi Hadid has become one of the most well-known faces in the modeling industry. Even her Instagram is full of professional shots, but following her gives fans a chance to see some cool behind the scenes stuff. With her account growing every day, by the end of 2016, she’ll probably be one of the most popular people on Instagram.
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Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner is another young model who is taking the world by storm. Although she was originally known for simply being a member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, she has proven that she has talents that stretch beyond being a reality TV star. Although she is just 20-years-old, she’s already catching up to her older sisters’ follower counts.
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Serena Williams
Arguably the biggest athlete of her generation, 2015 has been an incredible year for Serena Williams. With her recently being named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the year, Williams has proven time and time again that she is unstoppable.
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Bryshere Gray
Best-known for his role as Hakeen Lyon on Fox’s hit show, Empire, 22-year-old Bryshere Gray has quickly become an overnight success. With Empire entering its third season next year, fans will be able to get another dose of the young actor. As the show’s popularity continues to grow, and Gray lands other roles, there’s no doubt that he’s going to become an even bigger hit on social media.
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Jussie Smollet
As another star who can thank Empire for his new-found success, Jussie Smollet, is a fan favorite whose character on the show has been deemed groundbreaking by many. Although he has been in the industry for years, his role as Jamal Lyon has introduced him to a new group of fans. On his Instagram account, those who enjoy his work can get a sneak peek into his personal life – and get a chance to see him in a different light.
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Donald Trump
Let’s be real, before he announced his presidential run, there were probably very few people who had any interest in following Donald Trump on Instagram. While he still doesn’t have as many followers as most people on this list, as the presidential race continues, there’s no doubt that his social media presence will grow as well.
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Kylie Jenner
With more than 45 million followers, Kylie Jenner is easily one of the most popular users on Instagram. Apparently, there are a lot of people in the world who just love seeing her upload selfies and other random pictures, and that’s something that probably won’t change any time soon. Although nobody knows for sure what she has in store for next year, it’s safe to say that it’ll be a big year for her in one way or another.
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Plies
Although he began his career as a rapper, Plies is now a full-blown Instagram celebrity. In fact, even people who have never heard his music follow his account faithfully just to see all of the hilarious videos and memes that he posts. If he keeps it up, there’s no doubt that his Instagram account is only going to continue to grow.
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