Leila Zare added nearly 300,000 Instagram followers in February 2026, leading a list dominated by one clear story: “Heated Rivalry.” The Crave Original series drove three cast and associated accounts into the top 10, while a hockey phenom, an Olympic team, and a cohort of independent creators building audiences through consistent content rounded out the rankings.
Here are the fastest-growing Canadian Instagram accounts from last month:
Gained: +295.8K followers February total: 1.9M followers
Canada-focused immigration professional whose steady audience growth reflects sustained demand for practical immigration guidance, with no single viral moment driving the surge, just consistent relevance as national policy debates continue.
Gained: +256.2K followers February total: 609.7K followers
San Jose Sharks center and Canadian national team player, gained attention for his continued breakout performance in his NHL rookie season during peak winter sports coverage.
Gained: +153.8K followers February total: 11.8M followers
Social media personality known as Dark Joseph Ravine, whose February gains reflect sustained appeal built over time rather than a single breakout event, one of the most-followed Canadian creators on the platform.
Gained: +146.4K followers February total: 446.4K followers
Halifax-based makeup artist and beauty creator whose consistent tutorial output continues to compound her audience organically, with no specific viral moment tied to her February gain.
Gained: +144.6K followers February total: 1.1M followers
Official account for the Crave Original series, which drove significant follower growth across its cast this month through show promotion and cast visibility.
Gained: +114.7K followers February total: 440K followers
Canadian basketball creator whose park takeover and 1v1 videos maintain a consistent viral momentum, with February growth reflecting ongoing creator traction rather than a single spike.
Gained: +111.9K followers February total: 3.5M followers
Winnipeg-based fitness creator and athlete whose established audience base continues to expand through consistent content, building on one of the largest existing Canadian followings in the dataset.
Gained: +91K followers February total: 667.3K followers
Actor, singer, and dancer known for “Heated Rivalry,” rounding out a strong month for the show’s cast on Instagram.
The ‘Heated Rivalry’ Effect
Three accounts tied to the Crave Original series landed in the top 10:
‘Heated Rivalry’ (official): +144.6K
Ksenia Daniela Kharlomova: +111.6K
Robbie G.K.: +91K
Emerging Creators Building Without a Moment
Four independent creators in this month’s rankings grew without a single viral event, TV appearance, or news hook driving their numbers: Leila Zare (immigration guidance), Selena Marchand (beauty tutorials), K SHOWTIME (basketball content), and Shai Ross (fitness). Their February gains reflect compounding organic growth, a different trajectory from the sports and entertainment accounts around them.
Cecilia Carloni, Interview Manager at Influence Weekly and writer for NetInfluencer. Coming from beautiful Argentina, Ceci has spent years chatting with big names in the influencer world, making friends and learning insider info along the way. When she’s not deep in interviews or writing, she's enjoying life with her two daughters. Ceci’s stories give a peek behind the curtain of influencer life, sharing the real and interesting tales from her many conversations with movers and shakers in the space.
Leila Zare added nearly 300,000 Instagram followers in February 2026, leading a list dominated by one clear story: “Heated Rivalry.” The Crave Original series drove three cast and associated accounts into the top 10, while a hockey phenom, an Olympic team, and a cohort of independent creators building audiences through consistent content rounded out the rankings.
Here are the fastest-growing Canadian Instagram accounts from last month:
#1. Leila Zare | @leilazare.immigration
Gained: +295.8K followers
February total: 1.9M followers
Canada-focused immigration professional whose steady audience growth reflects sustained demand for practical immigration guidance, with no single viral moment driving the surge, just consistent relevance as national policy debates continue.
#2. Macklin Celebrini | @mackcelebrini
Gained: +256.2K followers
February total: 609.7K followers
San Jose Sharks center and Canadian national team player, gained attention for his continued breakout performance in his NHL rookie season during peak winter sports coverage.
#3. Canadian Olympic Team | @teamcanada
Gained: +172.3K followers
February total: 839.4K followers
The official Team Canada account picked up followers amid ongoing international competition coverage in the winter sports season.
#4. Joseph Levy Cohen (Dark Joseph Ravine) | @realdjr
Gained: +153.8K followers
February total: 11.8M followers
Social media personality known as Dark Joseph Ravine, whose February gains reflect sustained appeal built over time rather than a single breakout event, one of the most-followed Canadian creators on the platform.
#5. Selena Marchand | @selenamup
Gained: +146.4K followers
February total: 446.4K followers
Halifax-based makeup artist and beauty creator whose consistent tutorial output continues to compound her audience organically, with no specific viral moment tied to her February gain.
#6. ‘Heated Rivalry’ | @heatedrivalrycrave
Gained: +144.6K followers
February total: 1.1M followers
Official account for the Crave Original series, which drove significant follower growth across its cast this month through show promotion and cast visibility.
#7. K SHOWTIME | @k_showtime
Gained: +114.7K followers
February total: 440K followers
Canadian basketball creator whose park takeover and 1v1 videos maintain a consistent viral momentum, with February growth reflecting ongoing creator traction rather than a single spike.
#8. Shai Ross | @shaiross83
Gained: +111.9K followers
February total: 3.5M followers
Winnipeg-based fitness creator and athlete whose established audience base continues to expand through consistent content, building on one of the largest existing Canadian followings in the dataset.
#9. Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova | @kseniadaniela
Gained: +111.6K followers
February total: 135.1K followers
Actress known for “Heated Rivalry,” whose following more than doubled in February as cast visibility from the series drove discovery of her account.
#10. Robbie G.K. | @robsgk
Gained: +91K followers
February total: 667.3K followers
Actor, singer, and dancer known for “Heated Rivalry,” rounding out a strong month for the show’s cast on Instagram.
The ‘Heated Rivalry’ Effect
Three accounts tied to the Crave Original series landed in the top 10:
Emerging Creators Building Without a Moment
Four independent creators in this month’s rankings grew without a single viral event, TV appearance, or news hook driving their numbers: Leila Zare (immigration guidance), Selena Marchand (beauty tutorials), K SHOWTIME (basketball content), and Shai Ross (fitness). Their February gains reflect compounding organic growth, a different trajectory from the sports and entertainment accounts around them.
Data from HypeAuditor, February 2026
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