August 2026 saw a remarkable spike in follower growth across the United States’ most popular Instagram accounts, according to Net Influencer’s ranking compiled from HypeAuditor data. The surge was largely powered by Disney’s D23 Expo, which provided a promotional platform for several high‑profile talent, and by notable cultural moments such as the passing of Dolly Parton and a viral Drake livestream.
Disney D23 Leads the Pack
Four of the ten fastest‑growing accounts are directly tied to Disney’s D23 Expo held August 14‑16 in Anaheim, California. Actress Sadie Sink (@sadiesink_) leapt to the top of the list, gaining 2.1 million followers after debuting as Jean Grey at the expo and promoting the upcoming X‑Men film “Brand New Day,” which has already surpassed $2 billion worldwide.
Navarrette, revealed as Rogue during the same event, added 1.2 million followers, extending a breakout year that began with her acclaimed turn in the horror film “Obsession.” Marvel Studios (@marvelstudios) itself grew by 696 K followers, showcasing new footage from “Avengers: Doomsday” and teasing the Vision series “VisionQuest.” Robert Downey Jr. (@robertdowneyjr) also benefited, gaining 1.0 million followers as he promoted his role as Doctor Doom in the forthcoming film.
Celebrity Milestones and Viral Moments
Country music legend Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) rose to the No. 2 spot with a gain of 1.5 million followers following her death on August 25, prompting a wave of tributes across social media. Zendaya (@zendaya) added 963 K followers, riding the record‑breaking box‑office run of “Spider‑Man: Brand New Day,” which crossed $1 billion worldwide in six days.
Internet sensation MrBeast (@mrbeast) continued his steady climb, gaining 903.7 K followers after announcing his marriage to gaming streamer Thea Booysen and maintaining his regular content schedule. Lin Lamar (@pinkchyuwu) went viral after a clip from Drake’s “Kick” livestream, where she got the rapper to bark on camera, earning her 716.9 K new followers.
Local Government and Emerging Talent
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani of New York City (@nycmayor) saw a rise of 878.5 K followers, driven by national coverage of his administration’s newly introduced pied‑à‑terre tax and an ethics complaint from a Washington, D.C. watchdog group.
Actress Ella Rubin (@ellarubin1) added 689.5 K followers after starring in the Amazon Prime Video hit “Sterling Point,” which premiered on August 5 and was renewed for a second season by August 20.
Overall Impact
The August rankings illustrate how major entertainment events, cultural milestones, and strategic social‑media engagement can dramatically boost an influencer’s reach. Four of the top ten accounts were directly linked to Disney’s D23 Expo, underscoring the power of large‑scale promotional gatherings in the digital age. Meanwhile, the continued growth of creators like MrBeast and emerging talent such as Lin Lamar demonstrates the diverse pathways to online influence.
Net Influencer’s full list, based on HypeAuditor data, reflects a broader trend of entertainment‑driven audience expansion on Instagram, a platform that remains a key channel for celebrities, brands, and public figures to connect with American fans.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
