As the influencer economy matures and the social media spotlight grows more fickle, creators are reinventing themselves in unexpected ways. One of the most intriguing pivots? DJing. What was once a niche pursuit is now emerging as a full-fledged career path for influencers navigating declining engagement and searching for new avenues of relevance.

Why DJing Appeals to Influencers
Escaping the Algorithm Trap
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become increasingly unpredictable, forcing creators to find fresh ways to hold audience attention. DJing offers exactly that—a stage where personality meets performance, and where audience feedback is immediate and tangible.

A New Kind of Engagement
Unlike a polished photo or 30-second Reel, a live set is immersive. Influencers can remix nostalgia with new sounds, tailor their sets to the crowd, and capture moments that spread virally online. It’s an experience that creates loyalty rather than fleeting likes.

Monetizing Beyond Sponsored Posts
For many, DJing is also financial strategy. Residencies, festival bookings, livestream monetization, and branded parties offer new revenue streams. By diversifying their creative identity, influencers transform from content sellers into cultural performers.

Notable Names Spinning Their Influence
The crossover between social media fame and music culture has been underway for years. But the latest wave of influencer-DJs highlights how fluid creative careers have become.

Charly Jordan – The Instagram star turned nightlife headliner now holds a residency at Wynn Las Vegas, blending her digital following with Vegas’ party economy.

Susie O’Neill (DJ Lazy Susan) – A former Olympic swimmer and broadcaster, she reinvented herself at 50 with nostalgic yet fresh sets, proving it’s never too late to pivot.

Fish56Octagon – Known for TikTok videos of himself spinning rave vinyl in a dressing gown, he parlayed viral charm into bookings at major festivals like Glastonbury.

Xandra Pohl (XANDRA) – Self-taught via YouTube tutorials, Pohl has already performed at events like F1 Miami and is being groomed for stardom under Steve Aoki’s mentorship.

Simone Murphy (Sim0ne) – The former model used lockdown to teach herself production, and is now a BBC Radio 1 Future Star, bridging fashion with club culture.

Amelie Lens – Once a fashion model, now one of techno’s biggest names, with her own label Lenske.

Harley Viera-Newton – Balanced modeling for Vogue with underground DJ gigs, fusing fashion and nightlife.

Karina Istomina – Russian influencer, blogger, and podcaster who turned to DJing and music in the mid-2010s, embodying the multi-hyphenate creative identity.

Celebrity Crossovers – Paris Hilton, Idris Elba, Elijah Wood, Kristian Nairn, and Ansel Elgort all illustrate how DJing has become a celebrity side-path as well as an artistic outlet.

The Backlash: “Fake DJs” or Creative Evolution?
Not everyone in the music world is celebrating. Professional DJs often complain of intrusismo profesional—arguing that influencers dilute the craft, booking gigs for their fame rather than skill. On forums like Reddit, critics call them “fake DJs” or “cringey” opportunists.

Yet defenders counter that DJing itself is evolving. Just as social media democratized fame, it has also democratized access to music. Tutorials on YouTube, gear that’s more affordable than ever, and the reach of TikTok live sets have lowered the entry barriers. The question is no longer whether influencers “deserve” to DJ—but whether their audiences find value in what they deliver.

From Followers to Fans
The influencer-to-DJ pipeline highlights a broader truth: online clout is rarely permanent. Those who survive platform shifts are the ones who adapt, reinvent, and learn new crafts.

For some, DJing is a gimmick, a way to squeeze the last drops of attention. For others, it becomes a genuine reinvention—one that replaces fleeting influence with lasting artistry.

As audiences tire of influencer saturation, the beat goes on. But whether the crowd is there for the music, the name, or the Instagram Story moment, one thing is clear: in 2025, the turntables have become the new stage for relevance.