Rapper Macklemore added 2.9 million Instagram followers in September, by far the month’s biggest jump, after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” on September 14 following a pro-Palestine remark onstage earlier that month. Apple’s account surged behind the September 9 unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, while MrBeast kicked off a multiyear AI partnership with Google. Slovak pop newcomer ADÉLA and Argentine model Valentina Ferrer rode a chart-topping album release and a high-profile breakup, respectively, while three independent creators built on steady, organic momentum. Here are the fastest-growing U.S. Instagram accounts from last month:
Was removed from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” on September 14, after a pro-Palestine remark during his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium led several venues to threaten to cancel the tour’s remaining dates. The decision sparked backlash against Sheeran and a wave of public support for Macklemore.
Experienced a breakout period across her meal-prep content, with individual Instagram Reels reaching multimillion-view audiences while her associated Substack climbed the Food & Drink rankings.
Kicked off a multiyear partnership with Google, announced September 2, to promote Gemini, Google Health, and Fitbit. The deal’s first video, released September 5, follows MrBeast and his crew using Gemini to navigate survival challenges across the jungle, desert, and Arctic.
An independent nature and landscape photographer who has built his following organically across Instagram and TikTok (4.3M), without label or brand backing.
An independent meme and pop-culture aggregator operating as its own media brand. Growth reflects its ongoing content strategy rather than a single event.
Released her major-label debut album, “PRIMA,” on September 4. It debuted at number one in Slovakia and the Netherlands, reached the top 10 in the UK, and entered the Billboard 200 at number four in the U.S.
Confirmed her split from longtime partner J Balvin on September 16, ending a relationship of nearly a decade. Balvin posted a tribute to Ferrer on her birthday three days later, extending the story’s attention.
An independent, family-run pet account following two Siberian Huskies and two Golden Retrievers, built entirely through organic viral Reels rather than brand or label backing.
Established Names, Emerging Talent, and Independent Creators
September’s list splits along three lines. Macklemore, Apple, MrBeast, and Valentina Ferrer are established names (a veteran musician, a global brand, a YouTube mega-creator, and a public figure) whose gains trace to a political controversy, a hardware launch, a brand partnership, and a breakup. ADÉLA represents emerging talent with industry infrastructure behind her: a 22-year-old pop artist backed by a major label and top producers, whose debut album gave her a clear, chart-verified catalyst. By contrast, Joshua Platillero, Wasted, and The Moriarty Family are independent creators who grew without any single event, label, or brand behind them.
Dragomir is a Serbian freelance blog writer and translator. He is passionate about covering insightful stories and exploring topics such as influencer marketing, the creator economy, technology, business, and cyber fraud.
Rapper Macklemore added 2.9 million Instagram followers in September, by far the month’s biggest jump, after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” on September 14 following a pro-Palestine remark onstage earlier that month. Apple’s account surged behind the September 9 unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, while MrBeast kicked off a multiyear AI partnership with Google. Slovak pop newcomer ADÉLA and Argentine model Valentina Ferrer rode a chart-topping album release and a high-profile breakup, respectively, while three independent creators built on steady, organic momentum. Here are the fastest-growing U.S. Instagram accounts from last month:
#1. Macklemore | @macklemore
Gained: +2.9M followers
September total: 9.1M followers
Was removed from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” on September 14, after a pro-Palestine remark during his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium led several venues to threaten to cancel the tour’s remaining dates. The decision sparked backlash against Sheeran and a wave of public support for Macklemore.
#2. Apple | @apple
Gained: +893.1K followers
September total: 38.0M followers
Unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, at a September 9 event titled “Surprise and Shine.”
#3. Laurah Wheaton | @preppedbylaurah
Gained: +885.6K followers
September total: 1.0M followers
Experienced a breakout period across her meal-prep content, with individual Instagram Reels reaching multimillion-view audiences while her associated Substack climbed the Food & Drink rankings.
#4. MrBeast | @mrbeast
Gained: +852.0K followers
September total: 90.0M followers
Kicked off a multiyear partnership with Google, announced September 2, to promote Gemini, Google Health, and Fitbit. The deal’s first video, released September 5, follows MrBeast and his crew using Gemini to navigate survival challenges across the jungle, desert, and Arctic.
#5. Bernardo Jurado | @juradonegocios
Gained: +816.3K followers
September total: 4.2M followers
A business and finance content creator.
#6. Joshua Platillero | @megaamerican
Gained: +811.0K followers
September total: 9.9M followers
An independent nature and landscape photographer who has built his following organically across Instagram and TikTok (4.3M), without label or brand backing.
#7. Wasted | @wasted
Gained: +799.3K followers
September total: 23.3M followers
An independent meme and pop-culture aggregator operating as its own media brand. Growth reflects its ongoing content strategy rather than a single event.
#8. ADÉLA | @adelajergova
Gained: +781.5K followers
September total: 2.3M followers
Released her major-label debut album, “PRIMA,” on September 4. It debuted at number one in Slovakia and the Netherlands, reached the top 10 in the UK, and entered the Billboard 200 at number four in the U.S.
#9. Valentina Ferrer | @valentinaferrer
Gained: +678.0K followers
September total: 3.2M followers
Confirmed her split from longtime partner J Balvin on September 16, ending a relationship of nearly a decade. Balvin posted a tribute to Ferrer on her birthday three days later, extending the story’s attention.
#10. The Moriarty Family | @imbluethesiberian
Gained: +659.9K followers
September total: 6.4M followers
An independent, family-run pet account following two Siberian Huskies and two Golden Retrievers, built entirely through organic viral Reels rather than brand or label backing.
Established Names, Emerging Talent, and Independent Creators
September’s list splits along three lines. Macklemore, Apple, MrBeast, and Valentina Ferrer are established names (a veteran musician, a global brand, a YouTube mega-creator, and a public figure) whose gains trace to a political controversy, a hardware launch, a brand partnership, and a breakup. ADÉLA represents emerging talent with industry infrastructure behind her: a 22-year-old pop artist backed by a major label and top producers, whose debut album gave her a clear, chart-verified catalyst. By contrast, Joshua Platillero, Wasted, and The Moriarty Family are independent creators who grew without any single event, label, or brand behind them.
Data from HypeAuditor, September 2026
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