Are Virtual Influencers Taking Over?

Hey friend,

So... confession time. I did a thing. 👀
After seeing Kyra, India’s first virtual influencer, rack up serious traction and collabs like it’s no big deal, I decided to experiment.
And thus, Meera was born—my very own metaverse influencer. I made a insta handle (meera_verse). She had Flawless skin, perfect aesthetic, zero need for coffee or motivation.

Was it weird? A little.
Was it fascinating? Absolutely.
Because here’s the wild part: people engaged. They followed her. They asked her skincare routine. Some even DMed her like she was a real person (she’s not—unless the simulation is glitching).

And that’s when it hit me:
Virtual influencers aren’t just a trend. They’re becoming the new face of influence.

Let’s break it down.

🤖 Who (or What) Are Virtual Influencers?

Virtual influencers are computer-generated characters with curated personalities, flawless selfies, and more brand deals than your average YouTuber.
Think: if Barbie had Instagram and a strategy team.

Some of the big names:

• Lil Miquela – 2.7M followers, brand collabs with Prada & Calvin Klein
• Shudu – The “world’s first digital supermodel”
• Imma – Japanese fashion icon and actual style goals

These virtual beings are crafted by teams of designers, marketers, and probably one extremely exhausted intern. And guess what? Brands love them.

💼 Why Brands Are Saying “Yes Please” to Pixel People

Let’s break it down:

✅ No scandals (unless the creators write one in)
✅ Total creative control (outfit, lighting, location—all perfect, every time)
✅ 24/7 availability (no jet lag, no diva behavior, no “can we reschedule?”)
✅ Cheaper long-term than paying real celebs (eventually)

They’re brand-safe, always on message, and never tweet anything problematic at 3 a.m. I mean… what’s not to love?

🙃 Okay But… Is This Creepy?

Short answer: Kinda.

Longer answer: It depends on how you look at it.

On one hand, it’s creative marketing sorcery—a new frontier where storytelling, tech, and branding collide. On the other… we’re literally building fake people to sell us things.

It’s a little uncanny valley. But also a little genius?

👀 So… Are Human Influencers Doomed?

Don’t panic. Real humans (that’s you!) still bring something AI can’t fake:

• Relatability
• Real-life experience
• Chaos energy that no algorithm can replicate

Virtual influencers are a shiny new tool—not a total replacement. But if you’re a creator or brand, now’s the time to rethink what influence really means in the age of AI.

Personally, I believe that products requiring trust and credibility will be harder to sell through virtual influencers, since building genuine connections with the audience is key.

📋 What This Means for You

If you're a brand:

• Start experimenting—maybe your next brand ambassador doesn’t exist (yet)
• Blend real + virtual for some sci-fi-chic campaigns
• Think long-term storytelling, not just one-off posts

If you're a creator:

• Don’t compete with CGI—collaborate with it
• Build deeper human connections with your audience (AI can’t go live with emotions... yet)
• Future-proof your brand: authenticity is your superpower

✨ TL;DR

• Virtual influencers are here, and they’re not going anywhere
• Brands love the control, consistency, and creativity
• Humans still win at being, well… human
• The smartest marketers will blend both for max impact

That’s it for now, digital dreamer 🌐
Influence is evolving. Are you?

Till next scroll,
— Your friendly marketing nerd (95% human, 5% WiFi)
P.S. I asked a virtual influencer what their skincare routine is. They said "Photoshop."