From Demi Rose to Justin Bieber’s unknown ex – meet the influencers who made their names from high-profile romances
Nothing could've prepared one former model for the catapult to fame
THE catchy term ‘Nepo Baby’ is often used to describe the kids of celebs who have benefited in some way and become successful as a result of their parents’ fame.
But what about those who’ve become influencers as a result of dating someone rich and famous?
And while they were no doubt all talented in their own right and perhaps destined for their own success, it was arguably romances with already-established stars that really catapulted them into the public eye.
Otherwise known as – ‘Nepo Partners’.
Take former Walsall College student Demi Rose Mawby, for example, who was a relative unknown who dreamed of owning a beauty salon before a high-profile romance gave her a boost into the spotlight.
Now, she boasts a staggering 20m Instagram followers, a hugely successful modelling career and a reported $4m net worth.
Here, we take a look at just some of the now-household names with huge social media followings who accrued a huge number of fans to gain ‘influencer’ titles following a highly-publicised romance…
Demi Rose Mawby & Tyga
After studying health and beauty at college, Birmingham-born Demi Rose, 28, began to gain recognition in her own right as a model.
In 2014 she was named the “hottest new girl on the planet” by Zoo Magazine before featuring – albeit briefly – in a DJ Khaled and Chris Brown music video.
She was doing well to build up an online following but she gained A-list worldwide fame in 2016, when she dated American rapper Tyga shortly after his split with Kardashian star, Kylie Jenner.
And while their romance was short-lived, Demi’s success certainly wasn’t, and the star wasn’t left heartbroken by the news.
She said: “We really liked each other but logistically it didn’t work out in the end. But you know, everything happens for a reason.”
Now, she boasts a huge online following, posting glam, sultry selfies from her jet-set lifestyle and maximises her income with her own OnlyFans account.
Scott Disick & Kourtney Kardashian
Scott Disick, 40, has amassed an eye-watering 29m Instagram followers, and a $45m fortune.
He’s most known for starring in Keeping Up With The Kardashians, a ‘role’ he got as a result of his relationship with Kourtney, who he was wed to from 2006 until 2015.
The pair share three children, and he earned his own reality TV spin-off, Flip It Like Disick, in 2019,
And he has grand plans for his future.
While some have questioned what Scott does, he has previously said: “I actually do work, not just appearances and social media and events.
“I want to take it one step further, build my own furniture…like a modern-day Martha Stewart.”
But while he undoubtedly owes his colossal fame – at least in part – to his ex-wife, he actually already had his fortune.
Scott hailed from a wealthy family and inherited a share of around $25m when both his parents sadly died in 2013.
However, the public profile he built up with the help of the Kardashians does come in handy to promote his brands, including Leo de Versay champagne and fashion line, Talentless.
Eleanor Calder & Louis Tomlinson
Fashion blogger and stylist Eleanor Calder generally keeps a relatively low profile publicly.
She isn’t always splashed across the news, and isn’t one to be papped leaving celeb parties, instead opting to appear periodically at high-end events like London Fashion Week.
So it’s perhaps surprising for someone who doesn’t appear to seek out the spotlight that the 31-year-old beauty boasts over 3.4m Instagram followers.
But she can credit much of her fame to her relationship with One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson who she dated on and off from 2011 before splitting early last year.
Now, she capitalises on her following by advertising big beauty brands, such as hair company GHD and YSL and Armani makeup.
Robin & Ben Francis
Gymshark founder Ben and Canadian fitness influencer are the super glam married couple who have it all, from gorgeous twin boys, a successful business worth nearly £1bn and the luxury lifestyle to match.
It’s an idyllic life many would aspire to have and an incredible ‘rags to riches’ tale, which all began with former Pizza Hut delivery driver Ben creating his sportswear brand Gymshark out of his parents’ garage.
It was actually through work the two then met, with Ben, 31, asking Robin to promote his brand, and as a result Robin now boasts over 628k Instagram followers.
Now, she mainly shares family and fitness updates on her social accounts, with photos of their gorgeous one-year-old twins, but previously would also help advertise her hubby’s gym wear.
Jayde Pierce & Justin Bieber
Model and Youtuber Jayde Pierce, now 28, couldn’t have bagged a more famous beau when, in 2015, she was rumoured to be dating singing sensation Justin Bieber, who is now married to wife Hailey.
She hit the headlines and stepped in to a media storm after photos of them emerged together on getaway with him to Bora Bora, and things kicked off when the singer contacted Jayde via Instagram.
Now, mum-of-one Jayde has over 880k Instagram followers, and her feed is awash with ads for everything from Peroni beer, Shark hairdryers, Burberry beauty and haircare range Umberto Giannini.
Amber Rose & Kanye West
Amber Rose, 40, dated controversial rapper Kanye West, 46, many moons ago in 2008, and is now a huge star in her own right, with 24.5m Instagram followers.
Before that, she was a model and a stripper, saying: “I was young, beautiful. I was onstage, I wasn’t really ashamed of my body.”
While she’s a pro at life in the public eye now, nothing could have prepared her for the level of fame that came with dating Kanye however.
At the time it was a whirlwind, with Amber previously saying: “I didn’t even think about fame, like, it was not in my head.
“And then, you know, I would be out with him and they would take pictures of us and I’m like, okay….I was like, ‘This isn’t my life, this is his life, but I’m with him, so I guess it just comes with it.’
“All of a sudden, I would start going out by myself and paparazzi would follow me when I was not with him….I would go back home and be like, ‘Why is the paparazzi following me? Like, I’m not the famous one here.'”
Amber isn’t the only person to be thrown in at the deep end with the level of scrutiny and speculation that comes with dating the rapper either.
Following his high-profile split with also über famous Kim Kardashian, Kanye’s wife Bianca Censori has also been thrust from obscurity into the spotlight.
