Meet Ness, the Multi-hyphenate Creator Blending Film and Fame: At 20, She’s Already Signed to Three Agencies

Photos Courtesy to @nesjumalieva / @frankie_marin / @iiamlegend

When Sophia and I first stumbled upon Ness’s Instagram profile, we had no strategy or scouting checklist in hand - we just knew we were looking at something special. There was a distinct kind of energy in her content: the editing sharp, the storytelling intentional, the presence unmistakably hers. The kind of profile that doesn’t beg for attention, it simply earns it. So we reached out.

We met Ness over a video call that spanned time zones from Barcelona to LA. We didn’t fully grasp until our call with her was just how much story there was to tell, we realised right then and there, we were speaking to someone with a clear strategy, a story, and a whole lot of drive. When Ness says she’s a multi-tasking, multi-hyphenate kind of girl, she means it. She’s an influencer, filmmaker, actress, model, social media manager, student, and founder of her own marketing agency - and somehow, she’s still just getting started.

Ness, now 20, moved from Kyrgyzstan to the United States at 15 - right before the world shut down for COVID. Alone in her new bedroom, adjusting to a culture she hadn’t yet met, she picked up her phone and opened TikTok.

“I was filming every single day. Five videos a day,” she told us, laughing. “I didn’t know anyone here. It was fun, and it helped me cope with loneliness.”

That playful consistency was the beginning of everything.

From Content to Career

Ness’s TikToks didn’t just keep her company - they launched a career. Within months, followers poured in. Agencies started noticing. Her strategy was intentional even then: “I wanted to get signed,” she said. “And I asked myself, how do I get noticed by agencies? Social media.”

She leaned into what she had. “I didn’t have clothes, so I couldn’t do fashion content,” she told us. “But I had a single eyeshadow palette. So I used it.” That one makeup palette became her first tool, not just for content, but for visibility.

Eventually, the strategy paid off. Ness is now signed to multiple modelling and acting agencies, working with brands, building her own marketing agency, and studying film production with the goal of directing and acting. “Everything I do connects back to storytelling,” she said.

And it shows. There’s a clarity to her content. “You can see the arc,” Sophia told her. “Your videos have a beginning, middle, and end. There’s intention behind each one.” That instinct for story isn’t accidental—Ness is two years into her film degree and looking to transfer to a university to specialize in directing and cinematography. She’s not just in front of the camera. She’s learning to master it behind the scenes, too.

The Pressure of Presence

But growth hasn’t come without growing pains. “Back then, I was just posting for myself,” Ness admitted. “Now, it feels like I'm posting for other people. There’s more pressure to be cautious. To represent myself in a certain way.”

At 20, she’s already managing multiple careers: student, actress, influencer, creative strategist & navigating the complexities of being a personal brand.

“There’s a lot more structure now,” she explained. “Back then, it was just me. Now, there are managers, agents, collaborations. There’s responsibility.”

That responsibility can weigh heavy. Like many creators, Ness has faced burnout. “It’s not just filming. It’s editing. Planning. Pre-production. Post-production. People don’t see all of that. It’s a full-time job,” she said.

It’s also one she takes seriously. She’s quick to point out that being a full-time influencer can be emotionally draining. “There are days where you think, ‘What am I even doing?’ I get burned out, I question myself, I take breaks.”

Her go-to burnout recovery? Delete the apps. Go on Pinterest. Watch a film. Reconnect with her “dream life.” Because inspiration, she says, is everywhere - you just have to slow down enough to notice it.

She’s also learned the power of good support systems. “Having people like Olivia [her manager] who believe in what I do, that’s everything. I’ve had managers in the past where it didn’t feel right. That makes all the difference.”

On Strategy, Authenticity, and Still Figuring It Out

Despite the maturity and professionalism with which she approaches her work, Ness is refreshingly honest about still being in the process of figuring it all out. When we asked what she wanted us to highlight in the article - what direction she wanted to push, she asked for time to think.

That, to us, is part of her magic. She’s strategic, yes. But she’s not in a rush to be a finished product.

Ness has built her influence by understanding that social media is a tool - not a destination. “If you want to do acting,” she told us, “start showing how you prepare for auditions. If it’s modeling, show your process. Don’t build a new life just for social media. Use it to amplify the life you already have.”

She’s a case study in what it means to build something from scratch - strategically, creatively, and with heart. Her journey didn’t start with a fancy camera or brand deals. It started with five TikToks a day, filmed on a phone, with a single makeup palette and a lot of intention.

During our conversation with Ness, both Sophia and I were immediately struck by how deeply her creative process is tied to her identity. It wasn’t just her cinematic eye or editing style that caught our attention - it was her sincerity, her clarity, and the intention behind every piece of content she creates. Sometimes you come across someone online and just know there's a deeper story. With Ness, I felt that instantly.

And that story is still unfolding. Ness isn’t chasing virality. She’s building a career grounded in storytelling, authenticity, and purpose. Whether she’s in front of the camera or behind it, everything she does reflects a mission to connect, to empower, and to leave something that lasts.

As she put it herself: “Be real, be smart, and be strategic. Don’t post to impress. Post to express. And always remember why you started.”

And if Ness has taught us anything, it’s this: discipline beats algorithms, and creativity always finds a way. In a space that often rewards trends over truth and quick wins over long-term vision, Ness is a reminder that staying grounded in your purpose matters more than chasing likes. Her journey proves that consistency isn’t just about posting—it’s about showing up for yourself, your goals, and your community every day.

In a world of noise, Ness shows us the power of clarity. In a world of filters, she reminds us of the beauty in being real. And in an industry that moves fast, she’s building something that lasts.

🎥 Watch the full GRWM interview on Roe’s YouTube channel - 6th of July