At a Glance
- Influencers spent up to $186,000 on designer goods in a single haul.
- Some earn as much as $50,000 per TikTok live or $450,000 per Instagram Story.
- OnlyFans stars have made millions in a year.
- Why it matters: The money behind the glitz shows how social media fame can translate into real wealth, shaping consumer expectations and influencer culture.
The rise of #RichTok has turned Instagram and TikTok into gold mines for a select few, with influencers flaunting luxury purchases that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Behind the glamorous feeds, however, are staggering earnings that enable such opulence.
Luxury Spending on Display
In September, makeup influencer Mikayla Nogueira posted a haul worth an estimated $186,000, describing how she “completely blacked out” while buying items from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Miu Miu, and more.
Beauty star Jaclyn Hill’s recent call for more engagement sparked comments that highlighted the financial gap between her followers and the influencer lifestyle.
Follower
> “We’re tired of watching influencers rub their wealth in our faces.”
Follower
> “I can’t connect to a $10,000 purse or shoe haul when $10,000 would pay off all my loans and change my life.”
How Much Do They Really Earn?
Top creators monetize through product lines, brand deals, and fan gifts. Jeffree Star, who launched his own makeup brand in 2014, now nets $50,000 per TikTok live, combining product sales with fan donations.
Jeffree Star told News Of Los Angeles last year.
> “I’ll make bacon in the morning and make $50,000,” Star said.
> “There are some times where I don’t sell at all, and I’ll just make bacon in my kitchen, in my bathrobe, in my little slippers, we’ll just hang out and I’ll just chat and I’ll do a Q&A.”
Sponsored posts can command even higher fees. Alix Earle reportedly charges $450,000 for a single Instagram Story, as revealed in April by marketing agency cofounder Vickie Segar during a talk at the University of North Carolina, according to News Of Los Angeles.
Vickie Segar
> “Alix Earle charges $450,000 per Instagram Story.”
The adult subscription platform OnlyFans offers another revenue stream. Lily Phillips told News Of Los Angeles she has earned “millions” from NSFW content, while Sophie Rain claimed over $43 million in a single year.
Lily Phillips
> “I have made ‘millions’ posting NSFW content.”
Sophie Rain
> “I made more than $43 million in just one year.”
| Creator | Earnings Method | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffree Star | TikTok live | $50,000 |
| Alix Earle | Instagram Story | $450,000 |
| Lily Phillips | OnlyFans | Millions |
| Sophie Rain | OnlyFans | $43M+ |
Despite these high figures, many newer influencers still earn modest incomes, as highlighted by TikTok “tradwife” Nara Smith and her husband Lucky Blue, who discuss the realities of influencer life.
Key Takeaways
- Luxury influencer spending can reach $186,000 in a single haul.
- Top creators can earn $50,000 per live or $450,000 per sponsored story.
- OnlyFans can generate millions for some creators.
The glittering feeds of #RichTok reveal a world where fame and fortune are closely intertwined, but not all influencers enjoy the same level of financial success.
