Along with the leaps and bounds of technology, especially those related to graphics and images, virtual humans have appeared before the public for many years ago as models, singers or inspirational people. In recent years, when COVID-19 appeared, and people had to heed social distancing regulations, virtual humans have reappeared and exploded, especially in the role of trendsetters and influencers on the Internet.
In Western and African countries, virtual people often take on the role of a fashionista, setting the trend and attracting a lot of attention from all over the world. The most iconic examples include Lu do Magalu, Miquela Sousa, Barbie or Shudu, Brenn and many other famous virtual people.
From the world’s most influential virtual people…
Lu Do Magalu (@magazineluiza)
In August 2009, Magazine Luiza (“Magalu”) – one of the largest retailers in Brazil – debuted Lu Do Magalu to promote and advertise their products. Nearly 15 years later, Lu Do Magalu, or Lu of Magalu, has become one of the most influential virtual people in the world, with over 6.3 million followers on Instagram.
Starting her career by participating in the company’s major communication campaigns, Lu marked a turning point when she started working with many other brands and communication campaigns. Lu has appeared in many MVs of famous singers and TVCs of famous brands, especially Adidas. On the other hand, Lu has also been featured on the covers of Vogue, Elle,… – the most famous magazines in the world. Notably, the products that Lu uses in the publications have attracted a huge number of buyers.
Unlike other virtual people on social media, Lu shares her daily life just like how any ordinary person would do. Nothing beautiful and glamorous, Lu posts about her life very casually, through short videos filming the scenery of the places she has gone, taking pictures and checking in with real people, working and participating in conversations like a real person.
However, although Lu attracts a huge number of followers, her influence is only great in Brazil.
After her first appearance in 1959, alongside her toy and movie empire, Barbie has shed her princess dress and fairy wings, officially becoming a virtual influencer with great influence in the world when she started making Vlogs on her Youtube channel starting in 2015. Since then, Barbie has successfully become one of the most reputable inspirational virtual people on social media, with 2.4 million followers on Instagram and 11.3 million followers on Youtube.
Barbie (@barbiestyle)
Barbie’s video topics range from cooking videos, challenges, to most frequently sharing about life, about her views on current social issues such as mental health and racism. With this unexpected change from Barbie, Mattel – Barbie’s company – has proven that Barbie is not an icon that promotes unrealistic beauty for women. This has brought Barbie closer to the modern generation.
Miquela Sousa (@lilmiquela)
Also known as Lil Miquela, Miquela Sousa currently has 2.8 million followers on Instagram. With her unique, youthful, and energetic style, she has attracted a large following of young people around the world. Brought to life by the company Brud (Los Angeles), she is of Brazilian and Spanish descent and first appeared in 2018. Miquela was born in 1997, so she is currently 26 years old.
Miquela Sousa is no longer just a model. She is now a global pop star with 5 music videos posted on her 280,000-subscriber YouTube channel. With her fame, Miquela Sousa has participated in many advertising campaigns for brands such as Calvin Klein and Prada, and has been featured in and photographed for magazines such as Vogue, the Guardian, and Business of Fashion. Miquela Sousa has also spoken out and raised awareness about social justice movements in the United States, including Black Lives Matter. In June 2018, she was named one of Time’s “25 Most Influential People on the Internet.”
Speaking of her standout features, in addition to her trendy fashion style and looks, Miquela Sousa has relationships not only with other virtual people but also with real-life celebrities. Besides being close friends with another virtual person from the same company, Bermuda, Miquela Sousa was also in a relationship with a male model from Los Angeles, Nick Killian.
… to celebrate the diverse beauty of women.
Shudu Gram (@shudu.gram)
Appearing in campaigns and magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Balmain, ELLE, Fenty, FURLA, and Vogue Korea, with 238k followers on Instagram, Shudu is a virtual model created by The Digitals Company. First appearing on July 22, 2017, Shudu attracted everyone with her full-fledged beauty of a black woman, with an appearance inspired by the “South African Princess” Barbie doll and her eyes “inspired by Iman’s eyes, with her beautiful deep eye sockets.” It can be said that Shudu represents a role model and an ideal beauty for African women.
Shudu’s specialness lies in the fact that she is the first virtual supermodel, and she celebrates women of color and encourages racial integration activities around the world. She has diversified virtual modeling, bringing a new breath of fresh air to this technology marketing trend.
Brenn Gram: (@brenn.gram)
Coming from Shudu’s parent company, Brenn is also created as a black woman. However, we can see many differences in her. She has a plump body, healthy dark skin, and even stretch marks on her skin. She is the world’s first plus-size virtual model.
Although she only has nearly 4,000 followers on social media, Brenn is truly a realistic image of many women. Therefore, Brenn is mentioned a lot on leading news sites, social networks, and competitions around the world. As a supermodel, Brenn celebrates women of color and spreads body positivity.
Java, Unix và Mosi:
With Mosi, Java, and Unix, HUM.AI.N has followed the trend that people want to see more realistic models. Models that represent the diverse beauty that the real world is truly made up of.
Java is a redhead digital model with hyperpigmentation and freckles covering her entire body. She is intended to inspire others to feel comfortable in their own skin and to provide a fresh perspective on what perfect skin should look like.
Unix is a transgender model who celebrates personal identity and encourages young transgender people to be proud of their body image. Unix’s goal is to help bring the relationship between the LGBTQIA+ community and fashion into the digital realm, in line with the growing trend in the real world.
Mosi has vitiligo, like real-life fashion model Winnie Harlow, who is an outspoken advocate for the skin condition. Mosi promotes body positivity, regardless of appearance. Like her HUM.AI.N virtual model partners, she embraces her differences and brings a fresh perspective to beauty, raising the level of diversity in the digital realm.
It can be seen that in Western countries, virtual humans as trendsetters attract a lot of attention. They have a certain diversity of appearance, and all have their own story, beliefs, direction or style. On the other hand, virtual humans all have relationships and interactions not only involving other virtual people, but also with real people. This has blurred the lines between the real and the virtual, making these virtual people more realistic.
Sources:
https://www.virtualhumans.org/
https://www.influencerintelligence.com/blog/TZr/10-virtual-influencers-you-should-follow
https://influencermarketinghub.com/virtual-influencers/
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City – School of Media Design
