Kirank Melese Proves Talent and Authenticity Still Win
By Faisale Shefawe
Published on 07/21/25 1:15 AM
Becoming a commercially successful social media influencer is nearly impossible without makeup, styled hair, eye-catching backgrounds—and, of course, talent. But Kirank Melese broke through with nothing but talent. She relied solely on her raw skills and instinct for what grabs attention and drives views, in a time when people are craving authentic, original content. And she did it all far from the glitter of city life—in a small village nearly 300 miles from Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
Kirank was born in Jinka, a town in southern Ethiopia with an estimated population of 54,000. Like many children, she dreamed of becoming a doctor—but unlike most, she had the grades to back it up. She consistently ranked among the top three students in all her classes until she dropped out in 11th grade in 2024 to pursue a new path as a content creator.
Her journey began when she entered high school in 2022. Her parents bought her a smartphone, a gift that would go on to change her life. But it was her sister, Betty Bimbo, who showed her the way into the world of social media. Betty was already making money playing games on TikTok and was the first in the family to understand the platform’s business potential.
“When my sister cashed out $200 in one day from her TikTok account, that encouraged me to pay attention to what was happening on TikTok,” Kirank said.
As she watched her sister’s followers grow on both TikTok and Instagram, Kirank was inspired to start posting videos about herself.
She didn’t wait to save up for makeup or fancy clothes. Instead, she joined the content creator world in September 2024 by posting a video about her natural hair. The video was shot in a modest room in need of paint, and she wore the kind of clothes popular among local kids in the village.
One of Kirank's first social media videos.
“I had no choice but to do it,” Kirank said. “I didn’t have money to buy anything. I had to do what I could to make it.”
She kept posting—sometimes about her hair, sometimes funny skits about relationships. Her content stood out because it felt real. While social media was saturated with filters and staged perfection, Kirank offered something different. Her confidence, authenticity, and creativity resonated.
On October 7, 2024, Kirank posted the video that changed everything. After coming home from school around 2:00 PM, she recorded a clip where she said:
“Just because I blocked you doesn’t mean I don’t want to talk to you. You have to push and push—or maybe create a fake account and reach out to apologize. Don’t run away.”
That video racked up more than 400,000 views and was shared over 10,000 times.
“I’ve never even been in a relationship,” she said with a laugh. “I think I’ve learned about relationships just by scrolling Instagram and TikTok.”
As her popularity soared, opportunity followed. On November 15, 2024, the local zone office reached out, asking her to promote the annual Dishta-Gina Festival. They promised a 15,000 birr reward for the influencer who got the most views. Kirank’s video won easily, gaining over 300,000 views.
With some money finally in hand, Kirank decided it was time to level up. She reached out to contacts in Addis Ababa—people who had worked with her sister—and asked if she could stay with them until she could afford her own place. They agreed.
On December 26, 2024, she boarded a flight from Jinka to Addis Ababa. She documented the trip on Instagram, smiling from her seat while Chris Brown’s Loyal played in the background. The caption? “Just got rich.”
The reception in the capital was overwhelming.
“I didn’t expect so much love and attention,” she said. “They made me feel like a big celebrity.”
Makeup artists and clothing store owners rushed to work with her, offering free services and endorsements. By the end of her first day in the city, Kirank had her makeup and hair done, and clothes were flooding into the home where she was staying. Her followers could hardly believe it was her—they had to double-check her posts.
Her rise played out in real time, with thousands watching her transformation.
Kirank credits her success to two things: confidence and self-love.
“I love who I am, and I’m ready for whatever comes next,” she said.
It’s now been three months since she moved into her own apartment in Addis Ababa. Business is thriving, and she’s working with a wide range of brands on paid collaborations.
“I have to be careful with what I do and say if I want to protect what I’ve built,” she said. “That’s why I like to stay home, listen to music, and watch videos.”
Looking ahead, Kirank is focused on expanding her brand. She’s in the process of launching a YouTube channel to reach even more people and build her business. But her biggest goal is personal.
“I want to make sure my parents have everything they need,” she said. “I’m helping now, but I want to do more.”
If anyone seems destined for content creation, it’s Kirank Melese. With her natural talent, authenticity, and unwavering self-belief, she’s proving that you don’t need glitter to shine—you just need to be real.