You hit a million (real) followers on Instagram. You are jet-setting all over the world for photoshoots. You’ve had a sweat session with a big-screen superhero. Now what?
This isn’t a theoretical influencer question or fever dream – it’s Dannie Riel’s life. Her meteoric rise started when her first vlog, “Buffet, Bikini & Mud Bath in NHA TRANG Vietnam,” hit a staggering 1.1 million views and over 32,000 likes way back in 2013. Since then, her natural on-camera charisma and charmed life (non-stop travel, glam nights out, chic designer clothes) have catapulted her to the top of the influencer market. Part of the secret sauce is vibes – a mix of her bestie-next-door sweetness, spicy selfies and candid captions about her day.
Her family tree includes French and Chinese roots, and she began modeling at a young age, a role she parlayed into a massive vlog and huge social media presence. She chronicles her exploits around the world, from the beaches of Aruba to the bustling streets of Singapore, and has expanded into podcast appearances and brand engagements.
If it sounds like Dannie’s life is just fun and games, that’s because it was until it wasn’t.
Anyone who spends a lot of time online knows how quickly “hashtag blessed” can lead to “hashtag burnout.”
How to Find Yourself (and Not Lose Followers)
For Dannie Riel, finding her voice is a process that’s sometimes spiritual and sometimes quite literal. In a candid appearance on the Under the Influence podcast, she spoke openly about her personal life, sharing her thoughts on everything from dating apps to body count… and revealing a new relationship. Her Instagram feed is full of the fun stuff (this girl handles a selfie stick like no other), but there’s plenty of real talk about her sobriety journey and period of transformation. She’s also a mental health advocate, using her voice to destigmatize the conversation around struggles that can’t be seen on camera.
Sometimes, a crucial step in a person’s self-care journey can mean stepping back from social media, which is tough for most women and nearly impossible for an influencer. Dannie has normalized taking long pauses between posts. Those breaks make room for a deeper form of internal reflection and a space where Dannie says she found the strength to heal from relationship trauma and open herself up to new possibilities. It’s fun to follow along and watch influencers chill on a PJ and unbox their new skincare haul, but unpacking boxes after a big breakup? That’s the kind of realness that sets Dannie apart from the pack. And it’s why, month after month and year after year, her followers have stayed loyal.
This kind of self-care evolution goes beyond bubble baths and sheet masks. After years (and maybe even a lifetime) of being told that she can be pretty or smart – and never both – Dannie has started to build her intellectual confidence. In a raw Instagram post, she shares her realization that self-love starts with loving words (and acknowledging how much words like “stupid” have hurt her since childhood). She also shared a vulnerable moment with a big first, writing, “I’m reading my first book as an adult. I know that sounds absolutely absurd, but let me be the poster woman for ‘it’s never too late’ for anything.” (She went all in with her choice, The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer.)
Instead of focusing on her follower count or viral videos, she’s turned her focus inward to find an internal fire that feeds her more than a social media dopamine hit ever could. Doing the work has brought some hard truths to the surface for Dannie, like comparison is the thief of joy, transformations take time, and sometimes, a girl just needs to dye her hair pink.
The self-care glow-up also includes some serious sweat equity. As Dannie pushes herself with endurance running, she’s worked to gain insight into what she calls “an addiction to binge eating” and her relationship to food.. In her rawness about being a work in progress, she wants to share her hard-fought lessons with her followers and inspire them to move their bodies, whether it’s a simple walk or a marathon. When Dannie needs a little extra inspo for her final rep, she can think back to her one-on-one training session with Jason Momoa. That’s one way to get those lunges in.
Canadian Tuxedos and Caffeine Dreams
Through the highs and lows of being an OG influencer, one thing has been constant: Dannie has never stopped slaying. Her closet is full of sexy street style looks and plenty of upscale casual outfits, like the true-to-her-roots chic Canadian tuxedo (yes, she wears flannel), an eye-popping LBD for date night and a Dior bodysuit on the slopes in Whistler, Canada.
Her contemporary style and relatable personality have attracted the attention of brands like Bonafide, Gymshark, Dr.Dennis Gross, Dulce Vida and EGO. With a growth mindset, Dannie’s ambitions go beyond the usual influencer merch and sponcon. She’s invested in a sleek and modern coffee shop called Ampersand Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Texas – her first brick-and-mortar venture, the perfect place to fuel up before a long flight.
From investing in a coffee shop to jetting off to her next international destination, Dannie will be bringing her loyal fans along for the ride. With a million followers waiting on her every decision (To get a bob or not to get a bob? That is the question.) and her next novel choice, all eyes are on this OG influencer who’s just getting started.
