A Rising Star Shines Bright: How Model Cindy Kimberly Became An Instagram Trailblazer
Long before Instagram influencers were a cultural phenomenon, Cindy Kimberly was lighting up feeds around the world. The Spanish model first caught the public’s eye in 2015 when pop sensation Justin Bieber shared a photo of the then-17-year-old, instantly skyrocketing her to viral fame. Now, Kimberly is an influencer icon in her own right, using her formidable social media presence to transform herself into a multi-hyphenate creative force within the realms of fashion, beauty, and business.
In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Kimberly reflects on her serendipitous rise to digital stardom. “Often, I’ll get booked for a shoot and there will be people on set who’d come up to me and say ‘wow, you’re actually really good.’ It was frustrating because I love modeling,” she reveals. “I feel like people most of the time just think, ‘Oh, she has followers, let’s throw her in this project.’ Then they’ll be surprised that I’m actually interested in the craft.”
Rather than wait idly for opportunities, the diligent content creator took matters into her own hands. “I decided that if these guys aren’t going to put me forward for jobs that I really want then I’ll do it myself. Ultimately, self-shooting became a huge part of my brand,” Kimberly explains. Now boasting over 7 million devoted Instagram followers in addition to 1.8 million TikTok supporters, her dedication to high-quality original imagery and video has clearly paid dividends.
Indeed, Kimberly’s carefully curated feed reveals her passion for all things fashion. She regularly posts stylish mirror selfies highlighting the industry’s most coveted brands like Prada, Burberry, and Chanel, as well as behind-the-scenes peeks modelling for sportswear giant Alo Yoga, cult-favorite label Lounge, and more. Aspiring influencers would be wise to take notes on Kimberly’s strategic mix of high fashion flexes, athleisure aesthetic, and approachable beauty and lifestyle content.
Now 25 years old, Kimberly has evolved from breakout star to savvy businesswoman. She currently founder and lead designer for her own contemporary clothing brand LOBA. The fledgling fashion house’s minimalist staples and muted color palette reflect Kimberly’s signature model-off-duty vibe. She also recently partnered with luxury jeweler The M Jewelers on an exclusive capsule collection of one-of-a-kind baubles.
While her early fame may have begun with the luck of a Bieber co-sign, Kimberly’s drive to follow her own north star has cemented her status as an inspiring Gen Z trailblazer. In a digital landscape saturated with influencers vying for attention, Kimberly shines as brightly as ever by staying true to her creative vision. For those 6 million-plus followers worldwide, her star power shows no signs of dimming anytime soon.
