You’ve probably scrolled past her on Instagram, caught one of her YouTube vlogs, or seen her rocking a Sports Illustrated Swim photoshoot. But who is Ellie Thumann, really? She’s not just another influencer—she’s a 24-year-old who’s been hustling online since she was barely a teenager. From DIY fashion videos to high-fashion runways, Ellie’s carved out her own lane in a world that’s constantly trying to put creators in boxes. Let’s break down how this Arizona native became one of the most authentic voices in digital culture while keeping her sanity intact.
The YouTube Origin Story: ElliexoxoFashion Takes Off
Ellie Thumann didn’t wake up famous. She started her YouTube channel back in March 2014 when she was just 13 years old. Her first video? A simple “10 Facts about Me” upload that probably felt awkward to film but laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Originally known as ElliexoxoFashion, she jumped into the DIY fashion and lifestyle space when YouTube was still the Wild West for creators. No algorithm playbook, no viral cheat codes—just a girl with a camera and ideas she wanted to share with the world.
Her content resonated because it felt real. She wasn’t selling perfection; she was documenting her teenage life in a way that made millions of girls feel seen. By 2018, her subscriber count exploded, gaining over 1 million new followers in a single year. Her most viral hit that year, “Letting Starbucks Baristas Pick our Drinks for a Week,” racked up nearly 3 million views by featuring different YouTubers daily and giving brutally honest reviews. It wasn’t rocket science—it was authentic, fun, and the kind of content you’d actually want to watch with your friends.
Today, Ellie’s YouTube empire sits at over 2.1 million subscribers, with her Instagram following hitting similar heights. She calls her fans “Elliephants,” a playful name that’s stuck around for over a decade. These aren’t just passive viewers—they’re a community that’s grown up alongside her, watching her navigate everything from high school drama to modeling contracts and mental health struggles.
From Content Creator to IMG Model: The Fashion Pivot
So when did Ellie Thumann make the jump from YouTube to the runway? In 2019, she signed with IMG Models Worldwide, one of the biggest modeling agencies on the planet. This wasn’t some random influencer trying to break into fashion—IMG saw something legit in her look, her work ethic, and her massive digital footprint. Suddenly, Ellie was balancing content creation with castings, fittings, and photoshoots that had nothing to do with her ring light setup at home.
But the real game-changer? Sports Illustrated Swim came calling. Ellie’s been part of the SI Swim roster for three years now, and in 2022, she snagged the Rookie of the Year title. She found out about the honor while touring apartments in Charleston—talk about God’s timing. That recognition wasn’t just a trophy; it represented a massive shift in how she saw herself. The girl who once felt insecure in swimsuits was now being celebrated on one of fashion’s biggest stages. She credits the all-female SI team for creating an environment where confidence could actually grow instead of being performative.
This dual career path—influencer meets high-fashion model—puts Ellie in rare company. She’s not choosing between the digital world and traditional modeling; she’s blending them. Her favorite projects are the ones where she can showcase the messy reality behind a polished photoshoot, giving her followers a peek behind the curtain while still respecting the craft. It’s a tightrope walk, but she’s nailing it by staying grounded in both worlds without letting either one completely define her.
Growing Up Online: The Price and the Payoff
Let’s get real for a second—growing up online isn’t all brand deals and free stuff. Ellie Thumann has spent over 11 years sharing her life publicly, and she’ll be the first to tell you it comes with a cost. When you’re putting yourself out there at 13, you don’t have thick skin yet. Every comment, every opinion, every judgment from strangers can feel like a personal attack. Ellie admits she struggled hard with people-pleasing during those early years, constantly trying to meet the impossible standard of keeping the entire internet happy. Spoiler alert: you can’t.
The mental toll was real. She had to learn early that what people say online isn’t her reality. They’re seeing a tiny sliver of her actual day-to-day life, no matter how authentic she tries to be. She’s talked openly on TikTok and other platforms about anxiety, the pressure to perform, and the weird paradox of feeling isolated while millions of people watch you. But her family kept her grounded during those pivotal years, reminding her that her worth isn’t tied to views or likes.
On the flip side? The connections she’s made are genuinely special. When someone messages her about relating to her mental health struggles, or references her mom or sister in a comment, it hits different. That’s the gift of sharing online—the ability to make girls across the world feel less alone. Ellie’s learned to separate internet noise from actual reality, protecting her identity by keeping hobbies and relationships private. It’s taken her years to figure out that boundary, but now she’s intentional about what stays sacred and what gets shared with the Elliephants.
Mental Health, PCOS, and Getting Real About Struggles
Who is Ellie Thumann beyond the pretty photos and brand partnerships? She’s someone who’s used her platform to talk about anxiety, body image, and living with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Her PCOS diagnosis gave her clarity after years of feeling uncomfortable in her own body. Irregular periods, high cortisol and testosterone levels, symptoms that were constantly dismissed by doctors—she finally got answers. That understanding allowed her to incorporate lifestyle changes that actually helped instead of just suffering in silence.
Her approach to anxiety is equally practical. She doesn’t sit in the bad feelings anymore. Instead, she forces herself to take one small step toward feeling better—calling her mom, going for a walk, cooking a new meal. It’s not about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about acknowledging the hard stuff while refusing to let it completely take over. That mindset shift has done wonders for her mental health, and she’s vocal about it because she knows her followers are dealing with the same battles.
This vulnerability is what sets Ellie apart in an industry obsessed with perfection. She’s not afraid to show the messy middle—the moments when confidence wavers, when her body doesn’t cooperate, when anxiety spikes for no reason. By normalizing these struggles, she’s permitted millions of young women to stop faking it. You don’t have to have it all together. You just have to keep showing up for yourself.
Business Moves: Sunnee BaeSkin and Ownership Goals
Ellie’s not just riding the influencer wave—she’s building for longevity. Recently, she invested in Sunnee BaeSkin, a beauty brand where she gets actual ownership instead of just a quick paycheck from a sponsored post. This business model excites her because it’s different from the typical brand partnerships she’s been doing for years. She has a real say in the company’s direction, watches it grow over time, and benefits from its long-term success. It’s strategic, intentional, and a smart hedge against the chaotic nature of content creation.
For Ellie, ownership equals stability. After 11 years of full-time work in an unpredictable industry, she’s thinking about what comes next. She’s also invested in real estate, buying her own house and prioritizing assets that provide security. This isn’t flashy; it’s smart. She’s challenging herself with new ventures to avoid burnout while staying true to the girl who started making videos at 13. That balance—between pushing forward and honoring her roots—is what keeps her grounded.
The Family Behind the Fame: Sister Erin and Brother Will
You can’t talk about who is Ellie Thumann is without mentioning her family. Her sister Erin has appeared in multiple videos, including the iconic “Sister Tag” and “Bean Boozled Challenge” uploads. Her brother Will even showed up in “my brother turns me into a gamer…. Minecraft baby,” proving that family content is still some of her most genuine work. These aren’t just appearances for clout—they’re reminders that Ellie’s got a support system that predates the fame.
Growing up in Arizona before moving to LA, Ellie’s family kept her humble during the years when her career could’ve easily gone to her head. They remind her of who she was before the followers, before the modeling contracts, before the brand deals. That grounding is everything in an industry that can distort your sense of self faster than you realize. Her mom, in particular, is someone she turns to when anxiety hits or when life feels overwhelming. Family isn’t just a footnote in Ellie’s story—it’s the foundation.
What’s Next: Luxury Fashion Meets Tecovas and Jeans
So where’s Ellie headed? She’s got her eyes on the luxury fashion space, working hard to build relationships in that world while staying true to her roots. That means showing up in designer fits one day and her favorite pair of Tecovas boots and jeans the next. She’s not trying to pick a lane—she’s creating her own. Her vision is clearer than ever: blend high-fashion modeling opportunities with the authenticity that made her famous in the first place.
She’s stepping into a new chapter where she’s more hands-on with her projects. For years, her team handled a lot of the backend work, but now she wants to understand the not-so-fun parts of her business. She’s getting creative with shoots, having more say in her brand partnerships, and setting boundaries that protect her energy. This version of Ellie is intentional, confident, and knows exactly what she wants. And what she wants is to make that 13-year-old girl with a camera proud.
The Bottom Line: Authenticity in a Filtered World
Who is Ellie Thumann? She’s the 24-year-old Scorpio from Arizona who’s been sharing her life online since 2014. She’s a model signed to IMG, a Sports Illustrated Rookie of the Year, a YouTube creator with millions of loyal followers, and a mental health advocate who’s not afraid to get real. She’s invested in beauty brands, bought her own house, and navigated a decade of internet chaos without losing herself. Most importantly, she’s proof that you can grow up online without selling your soul to the algorithm.
Ellie’s story isn’t about overnight success or lucky breaks. It’s about consistency, vulnerability, and the courage to evolve while staying rooted in who you are. She’s blending worlds that rarely intersect—digital culture and high fashion, vulnerability and business savvy, authenticity and ambition. That’s the magic. She’s not trying to be perfect; she’s trying to be real. And in a world drowning in filters and facades, that’s the ultimate flex.
