New York influencers are all boring. Or they’re not all boring, but your algorithm is boring. Or actually you’re boring because you follow boring people. Or none of them are boring; they just play into a boring system. On March 8, a creator who goes by @MartiniFeeny posted a confession on TikTok: “I hate all of the New York influencers”. Calling New York influencers all “carbon copies of one another,” she didn’t name names but did say everyone looks like they shop at Revolve. In the comments, some people concurred that the city was filled with extremely thin matcha and pilates-loving clones and others came to the defence of their favourite influencer. Then, a larger conversation began online – if you curate your own algorithm, isn’t the fact that it’s filled with thin, white influencers only a reflection on you? 

A quote that was thrown around in school comes to mind during this “boring” New York influencer debacle: “Only boring people get bored”. Still, we also know that platforms like TikTok have algorithms embedded with racial bias and fatphobia. Essentially, if the same people are constantly rewarded and elevated, you end up with a bunch of influencer clones. (Not to mention the algorithm rewarding repetition). There’s also the fact that many people have grown tired of influencer culture itself. After all, how many unboxing and GRWM videos can you really watch? The solution to this may not be finding new influencers to follow but spending less time watching other people go to the museum or read a book and more time doing it yourself.

If being “boring” is in the eye of the beholder, what’s also true is that there are a vast number of New York-based influencers that are actually interesting. Ahead, we rounded up a few favourites to follow the next time you’re rolling your eyes at your own FY page.

@SHOPCATSSHOW

Bodega cats are the heart and soul of New York, and comedian Michelladonna is doing the important work of giving them a platform. In their show, Shop Cats, she interviews beloved neighbourhood cats across the city, giving you a peek into New York’s finest bodegas. It’s far from boring – there are cute cats, kind-hearted deli owners and plenty of commentary from Michelladonna herself.

@TURTLEWITHHAT

If influencer culture makes you cringe, the internet’s favourite ‘strange’ couple, Izzy and Emma, are for you. From parodying straight couples to meta-ironic dancing skits, they provide a constant supply of extremely awkward influencer couple inception.

@AIYANNACE

Calling New York influencers boring is an insult to the NYC influencer Aiyanna herself. The prolific influencer gives you a first-person view of herself eating, shopping and exploring the city. Her tidbits are hilarious, her social anxiety seems to be non-existent and her hand-held camera work deserves to be nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film at next year’s Oscars. 

@SUBWAYTAKES

We doubt Kareem Rahma would consider himself part of the influencer debate, but his show Subway Takes is starting some of the best conversations in New York. Set under the harsh lights of the MTA, the videos feel like a conversation you'd overhear on your commute. The hot takes vary, but most have that classic New York edge and are definitely not boring. 

@ANTONIBUMBA

When it comes to New York influencers, credit is due to Antoni Bumba, the creator of the viral “BBL effect” videos. She's created countless videos that have become memeified and her unfiltered vlog-style videos and pop culture parodies will make you belly laugh. Best of all, Bumba strikes the perfect balance between keeping it real online and not falling into the trap of promising to showcase every element of your life at all times.