"Top 10 Influencers Shaping Lifestyle Trends in 2026"
NaeSketchie, born Joel Molina, has carved out a distinct presence in New York City nightlife by focusing on execution over expectation. At the center of his vision is IKON New York, a concept that resists easy categorization and instead operates as a full scale supper club shaping the rhythm of Uptown nightlife. More than a restaurant or lounge, IKON moves fluidly between dining, nightlife, private celebrations, charity events and brand activations, attracting creatives, musicians, tastemakers and industry leaders into a single, intentional space.
Rooted in music and guided by instinct, NaeSketchie did not arrive at nightlife by chance. Through Sketchie Entertainment Group, he has spent years curating some of the city’s most talked about nights, with IKON marking the first time he has fully opened his creative world to the public. From the fashion walk entrance to the cinematic interior of red velvet textures, metallic finishes, glowing disco spheres and editorial lighting, the venue feels designed rather than decorated. Every element reinforces a sense of atmosphere where hip hop, Latin music and fashion culture naturally intersect.
IKON operates on a New York code of exclusivity that values presence, style and energy over status alone. Dress and intention matter, and the room rewards authenticity rather than spectacle. Crafted in partnership with Tirso, a lighting and interior specialist known for large scale productions, the space reflects a broader shift in how nightlife, dining and culture now overlap. NaeSketchie is not chasing trends but creating environments where they form organically, positioning IKON as more than a destination. It has become a statement in a city where standing out requires vision, discipline and the confidence to set the tone rather than follow it.
If you have ever stopped scrolling without quite knowing why, there is a strong chance your feed led you to Johnna Victoria. Across TikTok and Instagram, where she has built an audience of more than half a million followers, her content feels both intuitive and deliberate. Moving fluidly between fashion, beauty, fitness and personal reflection, Johnna delivers her perspective with a candor that cuts through an increasingly polished digital landscape. She strikes a rare balance, aspirational without feeling distant and relatable without forcing familiarity.
Her content shifts effortlessly between the practical and the personal. One moment she is breaking down a makeup technique, a hair routine or a perfume combination she openly recommends without gatekeeping. The next, she is talking about heartbreak, gym discipline, cravings or the difference between being tired from a night out versus actually hungover. Honesty is the constant. Johnna speaks her mind openly, embracing contradiction as part of being human, and her confidence comes from ownership rather than perfection. That transparency allows her audience to feel seen rather than sold to.
Her Italian American identity weaves naturally through everything she shares, from a food first upbringing to a modern interpretation of la dolce vita that values balance over restriction. Her rise accelerated during the pandemic in 2020, when audiences gravitated toward creators who felt real rather than curated, pushing her following past 300,000 and continuing to grow. In a space crowded with manufactured personas, Johnna stands out by staying exactly who she is. That authenticity is what keeps people watching, returning and trusting her voice in a constantly shifting digital culture.
New York raised and immersed in music from an early age, Ryan Vandal turned a childhood obsession into a multifaceted creative career spanning nightlife, film, television and global events. Introduced to DJing as a kid, he studied records, rhythm and crowd energy long before DJ culture became mainstream, pairing that passion with an early interest in visual storytelling and directing. Over time, curiosity evolved into discipline, shaping a creative voice fluent in both sound and imagery and grounded in a deep understanding of atmosphere
With more than a thousand sets behind him, Ryan is known as an open format DJ with an instinctive ability to read a room in real time. His sets blend technical precision with emotional intelligence, allowing him to move fluidly across genres while keeping energy cohesive and intentional. That adaptability has carried him far beyond New York, with performances across the United States and internationally in destinations including Amsterdam, Mexico and the Bahamas. His reputation for professionalism, discretion and trust has made him a go to presence in high profile environments where control and nuance matter as much as sound.
That same instinct has translated seamlessly into film, television and brand collaborations. Ryan served as the DJ for the Oscar winning film Anora and appeared as a DJ on series including We Crashed and Power Book II: Ghost, reinforcing music as a narrative force on screen. Offstage, he has worked with cultural figures and global brands alike while also developing original music as a producer, with new releases and a full album on the horizon. In a landscape driven by trends and volume, Ryan’s longevity reflects something more enduring: an artist guided by instinct, experience and an ability to create moments that resonate long after the music fades.
Rebekah Santiago has built a distinctive reputation in the fitness world through a powerful blend of strength, grace and performance. With more than a decade of experience and certifications in personal training and mat and reformer Pilates, she has become a trusted trainer for A list clients, models and Broadway performers. Her work has spanned some of New York’s most elite wellness spaces, where her signature style has supported high profile names including Karlie Kloss and Nicole Scherzinger in training with intention, precision and control.
Now offering private, concierge level training, Rebekah delivers a deeply personalized experience designed around each client’s goals. Her methodology blends science backed technique with creative, athletic movement, grounded in detailed assessments and ongoing progress tracking. Whether the focus is recovery, performance or full physical transformation, her sessions are designed to build confidence, connection and long term results rather than quick fixes. Every program reflects her belief that fitness should be intelligent, sustainable and empowering.
Lisa Westcott approaches luxury real estate as a responsibility rather than a transaction. A Top 1 percent agent in Arizona with more than half a billion dollars in closed sales, she has built her career on a client first philosophy rooted in trust, discretion and long term value. Entering the industry in 1996, long before Scottsdale luxury became synonymous with spectacle, Westcott distinguished herself early by challenging rushed deals and commission driven decisions. As a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Certified Negotiation Expert, she treats real estate as matchmaking, pairing people with homes that support the realities of their lives rather than simply closing a sale.
Nearly three decades later, her impact is measured in continuity as much as numbers, with roughly 99 percent of her business coming from repeat and referral clients. Serving markets from Paradise Valley to the cultural and lifestyle hubs of Scottsdale and Phoenix, Westcott’s portfolio spans everything from modest residences to record setting estates. She is known for her belief that service should never be dictated by price point, a philosophy reflected in years where she represented both entry level homes and eight figure properties with the same care and attention. Her leadership extends beyond transactions through her service on industry boards and her ongoing commitment to professionalism within Arizona real estate.
Today, Westcott leads the Westcott Group under RETSY, offering a white glove experience that begins well before a listing goes live. From vetting buyers and confirming proof of funds to overseeing staging, renovations, negotiations and privacy, she manages every detail with vigilance and empathy. Her deep local knowledge was shaped early on through work alongside the developer behind the Scottsdale Four Seasons and refined through market cycles including the 2008 downturn, where client protection remained her priority. Known to clients as both advisor and advocate, Lisa Westcott has built a career defined by commitment, knowledge and integrity, earning trust not just for transactions, but for the milestones that surround them.
Meet Nomaste Hungry, created by Morgan Peaceman, it was born from a desire to make weeknight dinners feel calmer, simpler and more nourishing. Built on a playful reimagining of “stay hungry,” the platform focuses on turning family meals from a daily stress point into a moment of connection. Morgan’s philosophy centers on approachable, family friendly recipes made with fresh ingredients and minimal prep, proving that dinner does not need to be complicated to be meaningful. With her husband doubling as creative director and her two children serving as enthusiastic taste testers, Nomaste Hungry brings warmth, humor and realism into the kitchen.
At the core of Morgan’s method is practicality. She strips away the pressure of perfection and embraces tools and techniques that actually work for busy households. The Dutch oven plays a starring role, with Morgan showing that affordable versions are just as effective as luxury cookware. Her signature 3 2 1 approach keeps planning effortless by pairing three vegetables, two proteins and one hearty starch to build flexible weekly menus. Most recipes come together in under thirty minutes, are easy to prep ahead and make smart use of leftovers, offering comfort driven dishes that still deliver real nutrition for both kids and adults.
Nomaste Hungry is ultimately a story about gathering and intention. The concept first took shape during a trip through Europe in 2018, where shared meals became a reminder of how food anchors connection and culture. Today, Morgan organizes her recipes on nomastehungry.com by protein, meal type, sides and cooking style, making inspiration easy to find. Through her growing collection of recipes and her weeknight focused e book, she continues to show that nourishing your family does not require complexity. Even on the busiest evenings, Nomaste Hungry offers a way to bring comfort, balance and togetherness back to the table.
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Aesthetic Island has emerged as one of Brooklyn’s leading destinations for advanced, results driven aesthetic care. Led by board certified Nurse Practitioner and clinical educator Eva Israilova, the clinic specializes in injectables, thread lifts and non invasive treatments for both face and body. Each client experience is highly personalized, with treatment plans designed around lifestyle, anatomy and long term goals. Precision and artistry work hand in hand to deliver enhancements that feel refreshed, natural and never overdone.
Among Aesthetic Island’s most requested services is the nonsurgical nose job using dermal fillers. With a meticulous eye for facial balance, Eva smooths bumps, refines the bridge and subtly lifts the tip to create immediate yet harmonious results tailored to each face. The clinic is also known for its advanced skin rejuvenation offerings, particularly CO2 laser treatments, which Eva describes as a complete skin reset. By resurfacing damaged layers while stimulating collagen production, the treatment restores firmness, clarity and radiance. When paired with Morpheus8, clients achieve deeper, more comprehensive rejuvenation that goes beyond injectables alone.
Beyond its treatment menu, Aesthetic Island plays an influential role in education within the aesthetics industry. In addition to services like HydraFacial, dermaplaning, chemical peels, IV therapy, laser hair removal, teeth whitening and weight loss programs, Eva offers professional training for Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. Her curriculum covers everything from foundational Botox and lip filler techniques to advanced procedures including jawline contouring, tear trough rejuvenation, temple fillers and PDO threads. By combining innovation, education and patient centered care, Eva Israilova continues to elevate both her clients and the next generation of aesthetic professionals.
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Sanobar Papandrea has built a beauty brand rooted in artistry, authenticity and human connection. Known online as @beautybysanobar, she went viral after turning her hospital room into a spontaneous makeup masterclass while giving birth, teaching nurses her techniques between contractions. The moment perfectly reflected her philosophy that beauty is about empowerment, not vanity. Whether working with brides, news anchors or new mothers rediscovering themselves, Sana approaches every face with the same intention: to make clients feel seen, understood and confident in their own skin.
Based in New York City and the tri state area while traveling worldwide, Sanobar specializes in luxury bridal and special occasion makeup that enhances rather than masks. Her work spans weddings, editorial shoots and commercial campaigns, always beginning with meticulous skincare to create a radiant foundation. She emphasizes preparation, recommending facials ahead of major events and encouraging trials to perfect the final look. Her fragrance free, high performance kit is curated for all skin tones, genders and sensitivities, with multiple brands playing a key role in delivering inclusive, camera ready finishes.
What distinguishes Sana is her technical precision paired with emotional intelligence. From matching undertones across different lighting environments to balancing texture so skin looks natural yet refined, every detail is intentional. Inspired by her early days working at Sephora and her own experience navigating products that did not always serve diverse complexions, she built a career centered on inclusivity and individuality. Today, with a growing global clientele and collaborations with major beauty brands, Sanobar Papandrea continues to elevate her craft while staying grounded in a simple mission: helping people rediscover and celebrate the beauty they already possess.
Michele DiMeo, widely known as The Restaurant Diva, has spent more than 25 years shaping the restaurant and franchise industry through a blend of operational precision and bold branding. She serves as President of Squisito Franchise Enterprises Inc and as Chief Operating Officer of MONTE Restaurant Development Group in Annapolis, Maryland, overseeing multi concept growth and expansion. A founding member of the National Pizza Council in collaboration with the National Restaurant Association, Michele is respected nationally for her expertise in franchise systems, brand scaling and restaurant development, while also owning and operating multiple Squisito NY Pizza and Pasta locations.
Beyond hospitality, Michele has expanded her brand into media, publishing and lifestyle ventures. She is the creator and host of the Dine and Dish podcast, where she interviews leaders across food, business and culture, and the author of the children’s book The Little Restaurant Diva, which encourages confidence and entrepreneurial thinking. Through Restaurant Diva Imports, she also imports private label wines from Veneto, Italy, further blending storytelling with commerce. Her presence as Restaurant Diva has made her a recognizable voice across television, podcasts, national stages and syndicated print, including her column Restaurant Diva Speaks throughout New York City.
In 2026, Michele’s journey enters a new chapter with the launch of DiMeo Dynasty, starring alongside her husband and business partner Gennaro DiMeo and offering viewers a look inside the intersection of family, food and high stakes entrepreneurship. That same year marks expansion into New Jersey and New York, signaling continued growth for her hospitality empire. At her core, Michele DiMeo is a mother of three and a champion for women in leadership, building a legacy defined by transformation, resilience and the ability to turn personality into platform and vision into a lasting dynasty.
Better by Friday Media was built on the idea that friendship can be a business advantage and lived experience can be a creative asset. Co-founded by best friends Angelica Guadalupe and Taryn Zambrano, the women owned agency blends strategy, storytelling and cultural fluency to create content that feels personal rather than performative. Through monthly online packages, in person services and curated vendor collaborations, they support women led brands and growing businesses with high quality visuals, thoughtful copy and hands on account management that strengthens brand identity while keeping audiences genuinely engaged.
At the core of their process is conversation. Angelica focuses on big picture vision and creative direction, while Taryn refines structure and ensures every message resonates with clarity and intention. Together, they extract what they call the golden nuggets from client conversations and transform them into content that feels real and memorable. Rather than chasing trends, Better by Friday Media prioritizes authenticity, helping brands show up online in a way that feels less like a highlight reel and more like a meaningful dialogue.
The agency’s ethos is deeply personal. Angelica’s openness about her journey with PCOS and her perspective on intuitive living shape the tone of their storytelling, which centers honesty, confidence and individuality. Through her own platform, she has cultivated a growing community drawn to her direct and relatable voice. In an algorithm driven landscape, Better by Friday Media stands out by bringing brands back to what matters most: clarity, personality and the courage to be seen as they truly are.
