Introduction: A New Era of Creator Recognition

On October 16, 2025, Instagram announced its inaugural Instagram Rings Award, honoring 25 visionary creators from around the globe who are redefining digital storytelling through boldness, originality, and authenticity. Unlike traditional social media awards based on follower counts or viral metrics, Instagram Rings celebrates creators who “take creative chances and do things their own way” while actively shifting culture rather than merely participating in it. This prestigious award represents a fundamental shift in how creative excellence is recognized on the world’s largest visual platform.

The Complete List of Instagram Rings 2025 Winners

The 25 inaugural Rings winners span diverse creative disciplines, geographic locations, and content categories, reflecting the breadth of talent on Instagram:

1. Dolly Singh (India)
2. Aki and Koichi
3. Ari Miller
4. Brian Lindo
5. Chris Brickley
6. Cole Bennett
7. Ashley Gordon
8. Elyse Myers
9. Futura
10. Gabriel Moses
11. Golloria
12. Life on Film
13. Lauf
14. Mimi Choi
15. Mika Ninagawa
16. Mohammed and Humaid Hadban
17. Nigel
18. Olivia Dean
19. Adrian
20. Sebastian
21. Katie
22. Thalita and Gabriela Zukeram
23. Tysh Jones
24. Zarna Garg
25. DJ AG Online

Spotlight on Notable Winners

Dolly Singh: India’s First Instagram Rings Winner

Dolly Singh (@dollysingh) made history by becoming the first and only Indian creator to win the Instagram Rings Award in 2025. The content creator, actor, and storyteller rose to prominence through relatable digital sketches featuring instantly recognizable characters like “Raju ki Mummy” and “South Delhi Girl,” which she created in her bedroom before achieving global recognition.

Speaking about her historic win, Dolly expressed overwhelming gratitude: “Being recognised with the Rings Award is so surreal that the feeling has still not sunk in. It’s definitely one of my career’s biggest moments yet, and a shiver goes down my spine every time I think about it.” She emphasized that seeing her work recognized by an “impeccable” jury panel of global creative minds felt almost unbelievable.

Dolly’s journey exemplifies the evolution from digital creator to mainstream artist—she recently made her Bollywood debut in the film “Thank You For Coming” alongside Bhumi Pednekar and others, demonstrating how Instagram credibility translates to broader entertainment opportunities. On her Instagram Story, she celebrated the award by wearing custom gold attire, saying, “Couldn’t go to receive my award so decided to drip in gold myself,” while crediting her creative team including her makeup artist, hairstylist, and production collaborators as the “backbone” of her success.

Mimi Choi: The Makeup Illusionist

Mimi Choi (@mimichoi) is an internationally celebrated Vancouver-based makeup artist renowned for creating mind-bending surreal optical illusions that transform her face and body into mesmerizing works of art. Her intricate makeup designs, often requiring up to 10 hours to complete, are inspired by surrealism and abstract art, created entirely with makeup and cosmetics without any digital alterations.

Mimi expressed her gratitude for Instagram’s role in amplifying her artistic vision: “Thanks to its visual aspect, Instagram has significantly amplified my work and propelled my career forward, offering countless collaboration opportunities that seemed unimaginable when I embarked on this path.” Her Rings Award recognition validates her commitment to pushing the boundaries of what makeup artistry can achieve on the platform.

Life on Film: Democratizing Photography

Life on Film is a creative photography initiative founded by Grant Werob, Baiocco, and Griffin Katz that has become a cultural phenomenon on Instagram. The project distributes disposable cameras to both everyday individuals and celebrities, collecting spontaneous, authentic photographs and transforming them into engaging cinematic Reels. This innovative approach to content creation has redefined how photography can tell stories at scale, celebrating authenticity over perfection.

DJ AG Online: London’s Street DJ Pioneer

DJ AG Online brings live music and improvisation to London’s streets, creating impromptu DJ performances that have garnered millions of views on Instagram. Identifying as an “open format DJ,” this creator demonstrates how Instagram can showcase real-world creativity and live performances in unexpected ways. DJ AG Online’s work shows that Rings winners aren’t limited to visual art—musical innovation and live performance also shape digital culture.

What Instagram Rings Winners Receive

Every Instagram Rings winner receives multiple exclusive rewards that set them apart on the platform:

• Physical Gold Ring: A luxury gold ring designed by acclaimed fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, delivered in an exclusive presentation box.
• Digital Golden Ring: A distinctive golden ring icon that replaces the standard Stories gradient ring, making their Stories instantly recognizable across the platform.
• Custom Profile Backdrop: Winners gain the unique ability to customize their profile background color with an exclusive gradient—a feature previously unavailable to creators.
• Exclusive Digital Badge: A digital representation of the award that winners can showcase on their profile and in Stories.
• In-App Spotlight: Winners’ content receives featured placement and visibility across Instagram, amplifying their reach and engagement.

The Diversity of Instagram Rings Winners

The 2025 winner roster showcases remarkable diversity across creative disciplines, geographic regions, and cultural backgrounds.

Winners include:

• Musicians and DJs breaking new ground in live performance and improvisation
• Makeup artists redefining beauty and optical illusion through cosmetics
• Photographers democratizing visual storytelling through innovative projects
• Content creators and comedians using humor and relatability to build communities
• International talent from India, Dubai, Brazil, Canada, and beyond

This diversity demonstrates that Instagram Rings celebrates all forms of creative excellence, not just a single content category or demographic.

What Makes a Rings Winner

According to Instagram’s official statement, Rings winners are creators who “aren’t afraid to take creative chances and do it their own way.” More specifically, these are individuals and collectives who:

• Take authentic creative risks rather than following algorithmic trends
• Shift and reshape culture through innovation and originality
• Build genuine communities through authentic storytelling and artistic excellence
• Demonstrate bold originality in their chosen creative field
• Inspire others through their unique perspective and execution

The selection process involved an international jury of renowned creative figures including filmmaker Spike Lee, designer Marc Jacobs, actress Yara Shahidi, makeup artist Pat McGrath, and other cultural icons. This emphasis on cultural impact over vanity metrics represents a major shift in how platform influence is measured and celebrated.

Impact of Instagram Rings on the Creator Economy

The introduction of Instagram Rings signals a major industry shift toward valuing authentic creativity over commercial viability. By celebrating creators who push boundaries rather than chase trends, Instagram is redefining what “success” means for digital creators.

For emerging creators, the Rings Award offers inspiration that there’s recognition available for those willing to take creative risks and build authentic communities. For established creators, Rings validation provides credential beyond follower counts and engagement metrics—a currency increasingly valuable as audiences seek authenticity over popularity.

Celebrating Creative Excellence Globally

The Instagram Rings Award represents more than just recognition; it’s a statement about the future of digital culture. By honoring creators like Dolly Singh from India, photography collectives like Life on Film, makeup artists like Mimi Choi, and street performers like DJ AG Online, Instagram is affirming that creativity knows no boundaries—geographic, cultural, or artistic.

These 25 inaugural winners are the bold new faces of creativity in 2025, and their recognition marks the beginning of a new era where authentic artistic expression is celebrated on the world’s stage.