In the influencer world, true authenticity is rare. Often, the highs — like an extravagant meal or a dream vacation — are shared, while the lows remain hidden. It takes vulnerability to face negative feedback and commentary, but the rewards and the example it sets for followers can be extraordinary. Chris Rhodes, a 32-year-old content creator, activist, and small business owner, has taken his career to new heights by embracing authenticity from the very beginning. He began by sharing a pivotal moment in his life: his transition from female to male.
While this marked the start of his authentic journey, his story has since evolved into something much deeper than a change in pronouns. Ten years into his transition, Chris now focuses less on comparison photos and recent changes, and more on the intersection of his queerness and trans identity with other aspects of his life — from traveling as a trans person and navigating queer relationships to experiencing fashion as a shorter guy.
Chris initially used Tumblr to document his transition, offer advice, and share his writing. He also promoted FLAVNT, a clothing brand he runs with his twin sister, who he describes as “one of the most talented people in the world.” Transitioning to Instagram, he honed his focus and began building a dedicated audience through his account, seethestarsablaze. His transition is still a key part of his story, but now it’s just one layer of the multifaceted content he shares, blending his experiences as a trans person with his other passions and lifestyle
A decade into his transition, Chris aims to show the world that being healthy, happy, and successful is possible. Those who say "it gets better" aren't lying — life can absolutely look like this. He shares, “My life isn’t glamorous, but it’s good, and that’s something people can relate to. I want to be the person others can see themselves in.”
He credits his success to sharing ups and downs and being a “real person” online — one who is happy, sad, and everything in between. He also surrounds himself with friends and partners who are supportive and willing to participate in his content. Aside from the occasional brand collaboration, he’s never bought followers or relied on giveaways to boost his numbers. He’s more focused on building a following of people who believe in his character, vision, and the projects he’s involved in. This authenticity shines through, making his page worth following.
Obstacles are a given in any startup, and seethestarsablaze is no exception. In the early days, Chris was one of the few visible trans creators, surrounded by a generally supportive following. But now, with many more trans creators gaining visibility, he remains true to himself, focusing on the content he loves to make and consume — not chasing trends like the latest TikTok dance or lip sync. He hopes this authenticity continues to resonate with his audience.
As his following has grown, the shift in social media algorithms hasn’t been kind. Chris has seen a troubling increase in violence, harassment, and hate speech on his pages. Unfortunately, social media algorithms sometimes reward even negative engagement, amplifying harmful comments. Chris hopes platforms will find better ways to combat this issue and create a safer online environment.
He’s also candid about the challenges of burnout. Managing multiple projects can be overwhelming, but Chris is grateful to work on things he loves and to give back. He’s learned that it’s okay to balance his passions with side jobs to keep yourself sane. And, as his responsibilities grow, he’s found tools like content scheduling apps to be crucial for staying organized. Running a personal page, a brand, social media clients, and side projects means he can’t handle everything manually anymore — making Planoly invaluable for keeping everything on track.
When it comes to advice for others creating their brand in the crowded space of lifestyle influencers, he emphasizes the importance of finding what you enjoy making and make that, because if you’re only creating for other people it won’t last. Being your own boss is incredible and also one of the most difficult things in the world at times. People online are going to dislike you, no matter who you are, and they will be brave enough behind a computer screen to tell you so – forget them, and focus on your people.
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