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Avanti Dalal profile imageAvanti DalalPublished on

We list eight content creators who are on the front lines of making the social media app a less toxic place

8 influencers championing inclusivity to make Instagram a better place

Instagram isn’t just about highlight reels showcasing perfectly flawless lives anymore, and these content creators are on the front lines

There’s nothing like perfect skin: pores, zits, redness, pigmentation is all normal. There’s nothing like a perfect body either: hip dips, fat rolls, cellulite, double chins are normal as well. So why do our social media feeds often make it seem like they’re not? While many influencers have made Instagram a playground to show off their perfectly filtered lives, others are doing their bit to change that narrative, sending a message to their followers to truly love the skin and the body they’re in. Here are some influencers you should follow, ASAP.

Sobia AmeenSobia Ameen is almost always smiling in her photos on Instagram, but that doesn’t mean it’s rainbows and butterflies at all times. The model, architect and content creator is refreshingly honest: “I cannot think of a time I looked at my back and felt anything but disgusted,” she writes in a caption; but she’s also cheerful and funny, which makes for a great mix.

Sobia Ameen

Sobia Ameen is almost always smiling in her photos on Instagram, but that doesn’t mean it’s rainbows and butterflies at all times. The model, architect and content creator is refreshingly honest: “I cannot think of a time I looked at my back and felt anything but disgusted,” she writes in a caption; but she’s also cheerful and funny, which makes for a great mix.

Appoorva RampalThe body positivity movement still has a long way to go, and getting to a point where we don’t need a movement at all is the place we’re looking to reach. Meanwhile, Appoorva Rampal has been proclaiming being comfortable and joyful at the size she is, calling out tokenism in the process. She has been pushing for inclusivity in the beauty industry, telling The Established, “Beauty products have never cared what my size was. Your eyeshadow, lipstick or moisturiser don’t care if you’re short or have hip dips or have a flat stomach.”

Appoorva Rampal

The body positivity movement still has a long way to go, and getting to a point where we don’t need a movement at all is the place we’re looking to reach. Meanwhile, Appoorva Rampal has been proclaiming being comfortable and joyful at the size she is, calling out tokenism in the process. She has been pushing for inclusivity in the beauty industry, telling The Established, “Beauty products have never cared what my size was. Your eyeshadow, lipstick or moisturiser don’t care if you’re short or have hip dips or have a flat stomach.”

Madeline StuartWhen it comes to inclusivity, including disabled people seems to be the final frontier. On her Instagram, Madeline Stuart—a model and content creator—is redefining what it means to be a model with Down's syndrome. Come for her groundbreaking activism, stay for her cheerful, uplifting optimism—you’re guaranteed a smile as you scroll through her page.

Madeline Stuart

When it comes to inclusivity, including disabled people seems to be the final frontier. On her Instagram, Madeline Stuart—a model and content creator—is redefining what it means to be a model with Down's syndrome. Come for her groundbreaking activism, stay for her cheerful, uplifting optimism—you’re guaranteed a smile as you scroll through her page.

Neha ParulkarWhatever kind of inspiration you’re looking for, Neha Parulkar is happy to give it to you. If you’re looking for style picks, her reels will convince you to try something new, no matter what size or shape you are. And if you’re looking to figure out how to tackle body-shaming or how to fight back against society’s standards of what you should look like, you can find that on her page too. 

Neha Parulkar

Whatever kind of inspiration you’re looking for, Neha Parulkar is happy to give it to you. If you’re looking for style picks, her reels will convince you to try something new, no matter what size or shape you are. And if you’re looking to figure out how to tackle body-shaming or how to fight back against society’s standards of what you should look like, you can find that on her page too. 

Aashna BhagwaniHate scrolling through Instagram and seeing cool ensembles only on skinny, tall, model-esque women? Aashna Bhagwani proves that size-inclusive fashion really can be fun, experimental and trendy—you don’t have to rely on oversized tees and ill-fitting clothes to make a statement. The content calls for inclusive sizing, more representation on the runways and in ad campaigns, and urges brands to follow suit. She often posts photos that show off her bare belly (“Squishy tummies are normal,” she writes), cellulite and curves, making it clear that you don’t have to cover up if you’re not sample size.

Aashna Bhagwani

Hate scrolling through Instagram and seeing cool ensembles only on skinny, tall, model-esque women? Aashna Bhagwani proves that size-inclusive fashion really can be fun, experimental and trendy—you don’t have to rely on oversized tees and ill-fitting clothes to make a statement. The content calls for inclusive sizing, more representation on the runways and in ad campaigns, and urges brands to follow suit. She often posts photos that show off her bare belly (“Squishy tummies are normal,” she writes), cellulite and curves, making it clear that you don’t have to cover up if you’re not sample size.

Izzie RodgersTraditionally, the conversation about acne—particularly on Instagram—is about how to get rid of it, whether it’s an amazing topical or a cutting-edge treatment. But when all you’re seeing is photos of people with flawless skin (nary a zit or spot of pigmentation in sight), it can skew your view about what real skin can look and feel like. Izzie Rodgers posts photos of herself with no make-up, discussing her self-love and self-acceptance journey with severe acne along the way.

Izzie Rodgers

Traditionally, the conversation about acne—particularly on Instagram—is about how to get rid of it, whether it’s an amazing topical or a cutting-edge treatment. But when all you’re seeing is photos of people with flawless skin (nary a zit or spot of pigmentation in sight), it can skew your view about what real skin can look and feel like. Izzie Rodgers posts photos of herself with no make-up, discussing her self-love and self-acceptance journey with severe acne along the way.

Mik ZazonIt would seem that appreciating “normal” bodies should be a given, but Mik Zazon realised that wasn’t always the case. She started the #NormaliseNormalBodies movement to do just that: remind people on social media that the Facetuned, filtered, photoshopped bodies they were seeing weren’t representative of what was the norm. She keeps it real—there’s no sugar-coated positivity here. A quick scroll through her Instagram will help you feel a little bit more confident in your own body too.

Mik Zazon

It would seem that appreciating “normal” bodies should be a given, but Mik Zazon realised that wasn’t always the case. She started the #NormaliseNormalBodies movement to do just that: remind people on social media that the Facetuned, filtered, photoshopped bodies they were seeing weren’t representative of what was the norm. She keeps it real—there’s no sugar-coated positivity here. A quick scroll through her Instagram will help you feel a little bit more confident in your own body too.

Rhea AgarwalIf you have vitiligo, until a few years ago, it was hard to find people on social media that looked like you. Rhea Agarwal, an influencer and model, has been using Instagram to educate her audience about her skin condition, and regularly posts about self-acceptance and her journey to get there. “You can still have fun with vitiligo, you can still get a job, you can still fall in love,” she says in a post.

Rhea Agarwal

If you have vitiligo, until a few years ago, it was hard to find people on social media that looked like you. Rhea Agarwal, an influencer and model, has been using Instagram to educate her audience about her skin condition, and regularly posts about self-acceptance and her journey to get there. “You can still have fun with vitiligo, you can still get a job, you can still fall in love,” she says in a post.

Also Read: Is Sakshi Sindwani the face of inclusivity and change in the Indian fashion industry?

Also Read: How beauty campaigns in India became inclusive, diverse and authentic

Also Read: April Lockhart wants to change the narrative around disability in beauty and fashion

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