In a world where "likes" are the new currency and Reels determine fame, the Instagram profiles of the biggest stars have become tools of influence, personal television and marketplaces all rolled into one. In 2025, we're no longer just talking about stars - we're talking about global brands with a face and a story filter. At the top of this digital pyramid sits Cristiano Ronaldo, who with his 663 million followers is not only the top scorer on Instagram - but also the most followed person on the planet.
Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer just a football icon - he has become a global digital phenomenon with the most followers on Instagram. But who is following him in the fight for Insta-supremacy? You'll be surprised who holds the top 10.
After it come the names that are familiar to you as your home WiFi password: Lionel Messi, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson…But how do they manage to retain (and grow) their digital army of followers? And why do some who rarely post still break records? Let's enter their world of algorithms, collaborations, and perfectly planned "spontaneous" posts.
Top 10 celebrities with the most followers on Instagram (August 29, 2025)
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 663M followers
Category: Football player
Why does he reign? Ronaldo is a perfect storm of content: regular training sessions, glamorous family photos, luxury, short motivational videos – all in at least three languages. He collaborates with fashion giants, healthy food brands and even his own sports project in Saudi Arabia. It is said that his media team is bigger than a small football club – and it shows. Each Reel is like a mini-advertisement for his empire.
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2. Lionel Messi – 506M followers
Category: Football player
Messi in Miami? Insta gold cave. His move to Inter Miami has sparked a wave of fans from Latin America and the US. When he posts a picture with his family on the beach, he gets more comments than most politicians in their entire term. He partners with Adidas, Apple TV and numerous charities. He doesn't shout, he doesn't pose, he just... wins. And people love that.
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3. Selena Gomez – 417M followers
Category: Musician and actress
Most followed woman on Instagram for a reason. Selena is not only a pop star, she is also a series producer (hello, Only Murders in the Building), founder of beauty brand Rare Beauty and mental health advocate. Her vulnerability in posts—even in the perfect light—creates a sense of authenticity. Gossip alert? Her posts often subtly echo broken romances (Justin, looking at you), which drives the comment section to new heights.
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4. Kylie Jenner – 392M followers
Category: Media personality
Everything he publishes sells. Literally. Her Reels are like teasers for upcoming trends – from makeup to baby names. Behind every story she posts, there are strategy meetings with marketing gurus. And another secret: her followers love the insight into mom Kylie, because it's the family-personal content that "sells" – even if she has filter coffee.
5. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 392M followers
Category: Actor and former wrestler
Strength, humor and charm. Dwayne combines workout, motivation, and dad jokes – all in one post. His rags to riches story continues to inspire, and his Instagram is a non-stop reality show between “iron paradise” and the set. When he promotes a movie, an energy drink, and a pancake recipe in one week, he gains 10 million new followers. In one day.
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6. Ariana Grande – 374M followers
Category: Musician
Quiet, but extremely powerful. Ariana doesn't post often, but when she does, the internet explodes. She's been re-energized in the last year, returning to the studio and collaborating with luxury brands. Fun fact? Her fan edit videos outnumber her official posts. Her presence is like a perfume - subtle but powerful.
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7. Kim Kardashian – 355M followers
Category: Media personality
An influence that doesn't fade. Kim knows how to recycle her own fame better than any eco-conscious brand. Between her Balenciaga collaborations, law school, and posting from private jets, she's still the queen of "what's she going to do next?" Every post she makes has a strategy, a target audience, and usually - a "hidden" product behind it.
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8. Beyoncé – 310M followers
Category: Musician
Queen B doesn't post often – but when she does, the entire internet comes to a standstill. Her projects are always a “surprise drop”, causing instant explosions on the platform. Style, power and art are her three components. Her visual Reels are practically museum exhibits of contemporary culture. And yes – even fashion houses treat it as an independent medium.
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9. Khloé Kardashian – 301M followers
Category: Media personality
Khloé has become the 'relatable' face of the Kardashian clan. Between her gym posts, real talk moments about motherhood, and witty selfies, she's built a loyal following. She's that "auntie" who tells you the truth, but under the ring light.
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10. Justin Bieber – 294M followers
Category: A musician
A star who needs no introduction. Despite his long digital silences, Bieber proves time and again that his fan base is indestructible. With occasional posts about religion, his marriage to Hailey, and musical collaborations, he holds the attention like a magnet. Every post is like a reunion with an ex: you know it's not smart... but you can't resist.
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Why them?
A combination consistent content, visual identity, personal branding and – let's not forget – international reach is the key to success. Reels with a strong “hook” in the first 2 seconds, smartly timed posts (at 19:00 CET, of course), multilingualism and collaborations with trends (or other celebrities) create self-sustaining growth system.
The common denominator? Everyone understands that nowadays it's not enough to be a star. You have to be producer, strategist, storyteller and CEO own image. And if there's a dash of drama, so much the better.
On the edge of the scale
Just below the top 10 are:
- Kendall Jenner – Insta artist with a minimalist approach.
- Taylor Swift – with a tour The Eras Tour destroyed Instagram and everything that came with it.
- Virat Kohli – the Indian cricket superhero who is more recognizable in India than Wi-Fi.
Their rankings change monthly, but each Reels can be a leap forward. Instagram is the digital Hunger Games.
Conclusion
In 2025, it's no longer just about stardom – it's about digital impactAnd although it is Cristiano Ronaldo at the top, the rankings are constantly shifting with every viral trend, every server crash… or new selfie with a left profile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do celebrities get so many followers on Instagram?
Very thoughtful. Most big names have a team of experts behind them who take care of content, aesthetics, timely posts and analytics. The key is a combination of consistency, personal branding, collaborations with other celebrities and the use of the Reels format, which currently has the greatest reach.
2. Do celebrities really manage their own Instagram profiles?
Rare. Most have (at least some) professional help – from copywriters and photographers to strategists. Of course, some – like Chrissy Teigen or Ryan Reynolds – still know how to launch a witty story on their own without consulting a PR person.
3. Why are football players among the most followed people?
Because they're global icons. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and when you combine athletic success with an attractive lifestyle (read: yachts, Ferraris, and protein shakes), you get explosive growth in followers. Ronaldo and Messi are almost digital national symbols.
4. Can someone “ordinary” break through to the top Instagram influencers?
Theoretically yes – practically rare. There are cases of “from zero to Insta hero”, but they are usually viral exceptions. In most cases, success is the result of long-term work, niche focus and good strategy. Or… marriage to very famous people. That helps too.
5. How much do celebrities actually earn from Instagram posts?
A lot. Top celebrities can charge anywhere from $500,000 to over $1 million for a single post. The price goes up based on reach, engagement, and exclusivity. Some people make more from a single Story than they do from a smaller film project. Yes, welcome to the attention economy.
