The 2025 TIME100 Creators—a groundbreaking inaugural list celebrating the most influential digital voices reshaping our culture:
🌟 Why This List Matters
Digital creators—those who started and grew their audiences online—are transforming media, commerce, and politics. In 2024 alone, people spent nearly 2½ hours per day on social platforms, fueling a creator economy that’s growing five times faster than traditional media; this ecosystem now boasts some 67 million creators worldwide.
This year, TIME introduced the TIME100 Creators to honor these digital pioneers who inform how we watch, shop, vote, and even understand the world.
Highlighted Creators
Kai Cenat
The 23-year-old Twitch sensation with 18 million followers is redefining live entertainment. From prank‑filled “Streamer University” to coining cultural catchphrases like “rizz”, Cenat has turned livestreaming into a multimedia spectacle—and earns an estimated $3.6 million annually from subscriptions alone.
Charli D’Amelio
A TikTok trailblazer with over 156 million followers, D’Amelio parlayed viral dance videos into a multi-platform empire, including The D’Amelio Show on Hulu, brand collaborations (Dunkin’, Morphe), and a role in the Broadway hit & Juliet.
Hasan Piker
Twitch’s outspoken political streamer—and a polarizing commentator—boasts nearly 3 million followers. Piker blends news reaction and in-depth political interviews, even with figures like Bernie Sanders and AOC, earning both high praise and repeated suspensions .
Tefi Pessoa
Also known as @hellotefi, Tefi brings wisdom and wit across platforms—TikTok, Instagram, Substack, and podcasts. A hybrid of thoughtful commentary and relatable conversation, she channels a big‑sister vibe with almost 2 million TikTok fans.
Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo (Giggly Squad)
Their off‑the‑cuff Instagram Live chats evolved into the Giggly Squad podcast, which has earned 44 million+ downloads, a Netflix comedy special, a best‑selling book, and a nationwide tour—all born from genuine friendship chemistry.
Diverse Voices Shaping Culture
The list highlights 100 creators across 15 countries and varied platforms—YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. From satire queens like Delaney Rowe (TikTok sketches) to Vivian Tu (“Your Rich BFF”, offering finance advice for Gen Z), creators are carving niche communities and real-world impact.
Behind the Decision
TIME's editorial team, led by Lucy Feldman and drawing on data from creator marketplace #paid, evaluated reach, engagement, originality, and cultural influence. The inclusion criteria emphasized individuals who launched natively online, not those crossing over from traditional media.
Reflections & Challenges
These creators wield profound influence, but with it comes pressure. Kai Cenat, for example, candidly shared his anxiety over maintaining authenticity and momentum. For many, the digital spotlight brings both opportunity and scrutiny.
The TIME100 Creators 2025 list marks a paradigm shift: cultural influence no longer begins in boardrooms or studios—it sparks on livestreams, scrolls across feeds, and reverberates within virtual communities. These voices aren't just entertaining—they're shaping minds, habits, and even societal discourse.