THE life of internationally-renowned style icon and actor Heart Evangelista is fascinating to many. She wears the world’s most luxurious brands, goes to the most expensive places, and hobnobs with the most influential people in the beauty and fashion industry. 

In 2020, Forbes France named her one of the top luxury influencers in the world. A quick glance at her social media pages would reveal an extensive display of big-ticket items that most people could only dream about having. 

But it’s not just all fun and games for Evangelista. She also earns from her collaborations and projects with renowned brands, which she shares on her social media pages. 

With a life steeped in luxury, many can’t help but wonder: How much does an influencer like her earn? 

Earning millions ‘can be’ possible 

Can her earnings from these brands be in the millions?  Evangelista said they “can be.” 

She made the revelation in her recent appearance on GMA’s Fast talk with Boy Abunda, where she was asked her about her life as a luxury influencer. 

The amount she’s paid for her collaborations and partnership with brands depends on the platform where she will post the content, and the kind of work that will go into producing it, she said. 

“If IG reel lang ba? Posting lang ba? If may YouTube ba ‘yan? If kasama ba sa kikitain mo yung video people mo or minus ‘yun kasi ikaw na gagawa nun. Kung magkano ‘yung bibilhin mo, ready ka bang magbayad ng music na may royalties o generic, mga ganyan,” she said. 

Influencer defined 

The 38-year-old stylista also shed light on what it means to be an influencer. According to her, being an online influencer has its similarities to being an actor. 

“It’s kind of, like, I look at it as a character,” she said. “Basically, you work with different brands and they also tap you to promote the latest bags, shoes.” 

Influencers likewise conform to some level of hierarchy, she said. 

“It depends with your rank, if you are just for social media or they invite you to shows. If you’re in front row. If you could be a client, like a couture client, and an influencer and an actress at the same time, even better,” she said. 

How she became an influencer

Evangelista, who has years of showbiz experience under her belt, shared how her stint as an influencer came to be. 

She said that about six or seven years ago, she was at a crossroads. She was contemplating on what to do with her life that would give her fulfillment. 

One day, she got invited to the Manila event of a renowned fashion house. That started it all for her to be included in the events list of luxury brands, where opportunities came her way.

“I was invited to one of the first shows of Schiaparelli when they opened up again, and because of that, I got the privilege of being seated by certain people. Nanganak na ng nanganak,” she said. 

Fate also paved the way for her to meet Singapore-born American novelist and writer Kevin Kwan, who authored the best-selling book Crazy Rich Asians. 

Kwan was instrumental in her transition from being an actor to being a luxury influencer. It was because of him that she was featured as one of the “real crazy rich Asians” in a magazine spread. 

“I was always at the right place at the right time. I met Kevin Kwan, nagclick kami ni Kevin Kwan. Kevin Kwan, in a sense, launched me with a Harper’s Bazaar feature,” she said. 

‘I cannot conform anymore’ 

Just like other celebrities who want a way out of their boxed life, she, too, has grown tired of living her life according to industry rules. 

“I decided na I cannot conform anymore to what the world or what the Philippines wants, na kailangan ganito ka, kailangan ganyan ka. I just wanted to be myself,” she said. 

One thing she likes about being an influencer now is that she gets to play not fictional roles, but a character that she loves to portray best– herself.  

“I kind of really enjoy playing myself now, with all the flaws, with all my insecurities, with all my fears, because I feel like this is liberation for me and it’s more authentic. And I feel like in the long run, people saw it and they appreciated it more, just with the many chapters that I’ve been through,” she said.