To some, being authentic and having an online presence may sound like paradoxical concepts. Those who have found success on the internet, however, know that showing up as your true, unfiltered self is often one of the best ways to build an audience. In a social media landscape that’s endlessly abundant with content, posting in a way that’s genuine may actually be the key to standing out. In other words: sincerity is in. 

That’s certainly true for Instagram’s recently awarded Rings winners, a new class of creators recognised for their commitment to pushing creative boundaries and sharing content that’s true to themselves. The 25 inaugural Rings winners, which you can spot on Instagram by the gold ring around their profile picture, don’t neatly fit into certain categories. Athletes, photographers, actors, fashion creators and foodfluencers are among the chosen mix. To choose the winners, the panel of judges, which included the likes of Spike Lee, Marc Jacobs and Yara Shadihi, focused not on the creators' follower count or type of content, but rather, their ability to let go of any inhibitions and actualise their creative ambitions despite any fears. 

With that in mind, we asked several Rings winners to share their takes on how to stay authentic online. Below are their best tips. 

Thali & Gabi

What does authenticity mean to you on social media?

To us, authenticity on social media is about people who create from what moves them, not from trends or what’s popular. It’s about taking inspiration from the real world, from places and experiences outside the internet, and turning that into something that’s truly their own. Authentic creators follow their instincts, make what feels right to them, and share what makes them unique and happy.

How do you show up as your authentic self online?

Inside the world of Two Lost Kids, we’ve always created from what we feel from whatever we’re inspired by in the moment. We never follow rules or trends, and we don’t look too much to the sides to see what others are doing. We focus on what we love, on what we’d actually want to watch ourselves, always keeping a visual harmony, but never trapping ourselves in it. While most brands have their little rulebooks and colour palettes, we don’t really play by that. We just create what feels true to us. And maybe it doesn’t “work” right away, but that’s what builds a strong identity, staying authentic, even when no one else is doing the same.

Chris Brickley

What does authenticity mean to you on social media?

Authenticity means being your genuine self. I believe social media isn’t just a highlight tape of our lives, rather a journal of our personal journeys. 

How do you show up as your authentic self online?

I show up exactly how I’m feeling that day. Some days, amazing things happen, and I’ll share that. Some days I’m figuring life out, and I’ll share that. And some days lessons get learned, and those days I’ll share that in some type of way.

Dolly Singh

What does authenticity mean to you on social media?

Everything! As someone who watches a lot of content, one thing I love to find online is authenticity; real stories, real people, real conversations and real feelings! We’re all surrounded by lies and facades all around, anyway. As a generation, we crave authenticity and love to see it!

How do you show up as your authentic self online?

I try my best to keep it real and honest with my audiences. Sharing moments of my personal life – milestones (good and bad), family, my roots, my mental health status, everything – is a big part of my journey as a content creator. A lot of my content is fiction and storytelling, but there, too, I try to showcase my own thoughts, ideas and dilemmas. My sketches and their themes and moods are, in fact, mostly a true representation of my mental health state at the time. I always say that I want to make content that is not made to be a part of someone’s doom scrolling, but to take them out of it. I believe being authentic with your content is a prerequisite for that to happen.

Nigel Sylvester

What does authenticity mean to you on social media?

Authenticity is at the core of everything I do. My goal is to keep building with my community, so it’s important that what I share and how I engage truly reflect who I am. Over time, my audience has come to know that I’ll always show up as my most authentic self, and that’s why they trust me. Social media, to me, is about real connection and self-expression, not just chasing clicks.

How do you show up as your authentic self online?

I show up as my authentic self by staying true to what feels right. Everything I post comes from a real place. My content is rooted in my reality. It’s about sharing the stories, ideas and moments that have shaped who I am and where I'm going.