Instagram’s 2025 Rings Winners

by Jules Carmaux | Oct 23, 2025 | Influencer News, News and Updates

If you’ve noticed a new golden ring around some creators’ profile pictures, you’re not alone. Instagram has just launched the Instagram Rings -> a brand-new award recognising the most creative voices on the platform.

Here’s what you’ll learn below:

🔍 What Instagram Rings are

🏆 The complete list of winners of the 2025 Instagram Rings Award

💬 Why some Instagram stories now have two rings and what each means

💡 How this initiative could reshape creator partnerships and the future of Instagram

Stay until the end to see why this update is bigger than a design tweak…

What are Instagram Rings?

A gold ring on a beige surface is shown on the left; on the right is a minimal black profile showing 121 posts, 862k followers, and 216 following.

Many users are asking “What is Instagram Rings?” and how it differs from the colored rings you usually see on Instagram stories.

The Instagram Rings Award is a global program launched in October 2025 that honors 25 creators who redefine creativity, community, and authenticity on the platform. Unlike the usual green rings (which indicate close-friends stories) or the double rings some users spot when creators post new content, the gold Instagram Rings are exclusive visual markers for award winners.

Each recipient receives:

A physical ring designed by Grace Wales Bonner
A digital gold halo around their Stories and profile image
Customization perks like profile color themes and early-access features

According to Fast Company, this initiative “elevates creativity to the same level as influence.”

Why Do Some Instagram Stories Have Two Rings?

If you’ve wondered “why do some Instagram stories have two rings?”, it’s part of Instagram’s new visual system.

A single colored ring still shows standard Stories (purple for Close Friends, gradient for regular posts).
A double ring indicates a creator who’s either verified or part of a featured program such as Instagram Rings or Collaborations.

These subtle design cues make it easier for users to identify standout creators — and for Instagram to spotlight award recipients like the Rings winners.

For a deeper dive, check Instagram’s official explanation and Tubefilter’s breakdown.

The 2025 Instagram Rings Winners

Grid of 25 Instagram ring winners for 2025, each showcased with a profile photo and handle, arranged in neat rows on a dark background, with “Rings Winners 2025” displayed at the top.

Below is the list of the 25 creators honored this year. Click their names to explore their profiles.

Creator	Instagram Handle	Why They Were Chosen
Mika Ninagawa	@ninagawamika	Japanese photographer redefining color and femininity.
Futura Dosmil	@futuradosmil	Street-art pioneer connecting past and present visual culture.
Gabriel Moses	@gabrielomoses	London-based director known for raw, poetic storytelling.
Aki and Koichi	@akiandkoichi	Senior fashion icons showing style has no age limit.
Mohammed & Humaid Hadban	@twinshadban	Emirati twins blending fashion and heritage.
Mimi Choi	@mimles	Illusion makeup artist turning faces into surreal art.
Golloria	@golloria	Beauty creator advocating for diversity and authenticity.
Thalita & Gabriela Zukeram	@twolostkids	Brazilian duo merging fashion and digital art.
Dolly Singh	@dollysingh	Indian comedian bridging pop culture and self-expression.
Elyse Myers	@elyse_myers	Storyteller sharing real-life humor and vulnerability.
Zarna Garg	@zarnagarg	Stand-up comic spotlighting culture and family.
Tyshawn Jones	@tyshawn	NYC skateboarder transforming motion into art.
Nigel Sylvester	@nigelsylvester	BMX athlete known for cinematic storytelling.
Chris Brickley	@cbrickley603	NBA trainer offering behind-the-scenes insight.
Laufey	@laufey	Jazz-pop musician merging tradition with Gen Z flair.
Adrian Per	@omgadrian	Filmmaker teaching creators how to elevate content.
Linda Lomelino	@linda_lomelino	Photographer blending food, emotion, and design.
Life On Film	@lifeonfilm	Collective capturing strangers’ disposable-camera stories.
Ari Miller	@ariatinsta	Musician documenting spontaneous city performances.
Sebastian Jern	@sebastianjern	Creative director crafting cinematic miniature sets.
Brian Lindo	@briancantstopeating	One of the most original food creators out there. His audience is over 70% interested in foodie content, and he’s grown +4% followers in the last six months. Each Reel now averages 230K views, according to Click Analytic data. His honest restaurant reviews and cinematic edits have made him one of the most authentic voices in food culture.

For full profiles, visit The Modems analysis or Dazed Digital’s feature.

Why Are Instagram Story Rings Green?

While researching Instagram Rings award news, you might also ask “why are Instagram story rings green?”
That green ring indicates content shared only with your Close Friends list — a privacy feature unrelated to the new Rings award.

Instagram now uses color coding to visually differentiate features:

Green ring: Close Friends story
Purple or gradient ring: Regular story
Gold ring: Official Instagram Rings award winner
Double ring: Verified or featured creator stories

This multi-color system helps users immediately recognize different content types.

Why Instagram Rings Matter for Creators and Brands

The Instagram Rings Award isn’t just another social-media trend. It’s part of Instagram’s long-term shift toward rewarding authentic storytelling and creativity.

For creators:

It validates originality and cultural relevance over follower count.
It signals to brands that your content drives influence, not just impressions.

For brands:

The Rings provide a new benchmark when selecting creators for partnerships.
Collaborating with a Ring winner could mean better resonance with Gen Z audiences focused on authenticity.

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Conclusion

The Instagram Rings Award brings a fresh era of recognition for digital creativity. It’s more than a badge — it’s Instagram’s way of celebrating culture-shaping creators worldwide.

Next time you see a golden or double ring around a creator’s story, you’ll know: you’re watching someone who’s setting the pace for the future of social media.

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