Celebrity influencers have taken over the iconic La Croisette in Cannes. While their online personas often appear glamorous, their real routines involve significant effort.

Model Emira D’Spain, with 1.3 million TikTok followers and a star on the upcoming Bravo reality series “Next Gen NYC,” emphasizes that maintaining a public profile is challenging but rewarding. “Haters pay the bills,” she says, commenting on the negativity she encounters online.

“People can be really unkind,” she admitted at the Forbes Top Creators List event at Influential Beach. “But I try not to care too much. Even haters tune in and hate-watch. The support from those who genuinely follow me means even more.”

Meanwhile, TikTok star Jake Shane, with 3.6 million followers, paused his “Therapuss LIVE” tour to participate in a panel during Cannes Lions 2025. He shared that the event feels like a high school trip, a rare chance for influencers to connect while working.

Shane described the touring lifestyle as emotionally taxing—despite occasional epic performances, he admits to feeling overwhelmed. “Good shows make me feel incredible, but when one falls flat, I get really hard on myself,” he explained. “Still, those wins outweigh the setbacks.”

Other notable attendees include Haley Kalil, with 14.4 million TikTok followers, who quipped about her parents recognizing her career’s legitimacy after seeing her in Forbes. Brandon Edelman, with 1.3 million Instagram followers, noted the general understanding within influencer circles that their work is real, despite persistent doubters.

Influencers recently shared how transparency is vital—Edelman revealed earning $768,000 last year, after taxes and expenses, emphasizing the importance of honesty in the industry. The event also featured Jeffery Katzenberg, and social media personalities Adam Waheed and Mason Smith.