You’ve probably seen her face lighting up your For You Page, walking red carpets, or making headlines alongside NFL royalty. But who is Olivia Ponton really? She’s not just another influencer with a blue checkmark. This Florida-born creator turned her pandemic boredom into an empire that spans modeling, advocacy, and 12 million followers who hang on her every post.
Let’s break down how a girl from Naples became one of Gen Z’s most talked-about personalities—without the fluff, just facts.
The Florida Girl Who Started It All
Olivia Marie Ponton was born on May 30, 2002, in Naples, Florida. Her parents, Diane and Richard Ponton, both work in education—her mom’s a chief learning officer for a nonprofit, and her dad teaches. She grew up with her sister Abigail in the Sunshine State, soaking up that coastal energy that still defines her vibe today.
Even after moving to New York City for her career, Ponton stays loyal to her roots. She calls herself a “Florida girl forever” and isn’t shy about showing love for Miami on social media. That hometown pride? It’s real, not just brand strategy.
Her upbringing gave her the work ethic she flaunts today. Growing up around educators probably explains why she’s so intentional about using her platform for advocacy—more on that later.
From Spring Break to Supermodel: The Wilhelmina Signing
Picture this: March 2020, Ponton’s on a spring break trip to NYC. She signs with Wilhelmina Models—a major W for any aspiring model. Then COVID-19 hits two weeks later, and the entire industry freezes. Most people would panic. Olivia? She grabbed her phone and started posting on TikTok.
“During COVID, I was trying one new thing a day,” she told GRAZIA magazine. Cooking fails, basketball shots, volleyball drills, exploring Naples—she documented it all. The authenticity clicked. People weren’t watching a polished influencer; they were watching a real 18-year-old navigating lockdown like everyone else. That relatability became her superpower.
Within months, her follower count exploded. What started as quarantine content became a full-blown career. She joined the Hype House in 2020, rubbing shoulders with TikTok’s elite. By 2022, she’d racked up nearly 8 million TikTok followers and millions more across Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: The Moment That Changed Everything
Landing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie spot in 2022 wasn’t just a gig—it was validation. Who is Olivia Ponton in the modeling world? She’s the girl who bridged digital influence and traditional high fashion without choosing sides.
“When I got the call for SI Swimsuit, I didn’t believe it for weeks,” she admitted. The disbelief makes sense when you realize she was still technically a pandemic-era TikToker. But SI saw what millions of followers already knew: Ponton’s got that “it” factor. Her 2022 shoot cemented her as more than an influencer who models—she’s a legitimate model who happens to have a massive platform.
Since then, she’s posed for Victoria’s Secret PINK, SKIMS, Ralph Lauren, Juicy Couture, and more. She hosted the red carpet for the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She’s front row at Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors. European brands like Fendi, Burberry, and Dolce & Gabbana have her on speed dial. Vogue World in Paris? She was there.
This isn’t influencer gifting—it’s contracted campaigns with Tommy Hilfiger, Maybelline, and Coach. She’s even co-designed collections with REEF and American Eagle for Pride, blending business with activism seamlessly.
The Joe Burrow Connection That Broke the Internet
December 2024 flipped the script on who is Olivia Ponton is dating. She called 911 to report a burglary at Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s Ohio home. The police report listed her as his “employee,” but insiders told PEOPLE they’d been “hooking up since early fall” and keeping things casual.
In the 911 audio obtained by TMZ, Ponton said, “Someone broke into my house,” hinting she might’ve been living there. Neither she nor Burrow commented publicly, but the internet did the math. By May 2025, they were spotted together at F1 Miami during the star-studded race weekend. A month later, paparazzi caught them walking with friends—including gymnast Livvy Dunne—in New York City.
The relationship rumors catapulted Ponton into NFL WAG territory, a lane she didn’t actively pursue but now occupies. It’s classic modern fame: your personal life becomes content, whether you monetize it or not.
Pansexual, Proud, and Using Her Platform for Good
Ponton came out as bisexual in a 2021 Teen Vogue interview, later clarifying on The Skinny Confidential podcast that she identifies as pansexual. For her, that means gender doesn’t factor into attraction—it’s all about emotional connection.
“I have a very emotional connection to a person, rather than based on looks,” she explained. That vulnerability resonated with millions of LGBTQIA+ fans who saw themselves in her story. She’s worked with Pride Live and the Stonewall Inn, and marched with MAC Cosmetics in the 2025 NYC Pride Parade.
Beyond LGBTQIA+ advocacy, Ponton champions ocean conservation through partnerships with 4Ocean and Coral Gardeners. Growing up in Florida, she’s seen environmental threats firsthand. She’s not performative about it—she puts money and visibility behind causes that matter to her generation.
Variety recognized her impact in their 2023 Power of Young Hollywood report. When who is Olivia Ponton gets Googled, part of the answer now includes “activist” alongside “model” and “influencer.”
The Workaholic Who Built an Empire
Between modeling gigs, brand deals, and maintaining 12 million followers across platforms, Ponton stays busy. She even had a cameo in Blake Lively’s 2024 film It Ends With Us. When asked about her work ethic, she didn’t sugarcoat it: “Book me seven days a week. I do not care. I’m kind of a workaholic.”
In October 2024, she launched Booked & Busy, a monthly podcast where she dives into books and authors. Her first episode dissected Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing. For someone who didn’t grow up a big reader, books became her escape from being extremely online. Now she’s built a community around that love.
The podcast name? Peak Ponton. It’s self-aware, on-brand, and reflects her actual life. She’s not faking the grind—she’s documenting it in real time while creating new revenue streams.
Why She’s Still Trending in 2026
So who is Olivia Ponton in the grand scheme of influencer culture? She’s the blueprint for evolving beyond one platform. She didn’t stay a TikTok dancer. She didn’t coast on pretty photos. She diversified—modeling, acting, podcasting, advocacy—while staying authentic to the girl who filmed quarantine basketball shots in her backyard.
Her 23-year-old resume reads like a five-year plan most creators dream about. She’s attended Coachella, Stagecoach, and Art Basel not just as a guest but as a cultural fixture. Brands don’t invite her for exposure—they want her taste, her audience, her credibility.
Living full-time in New York City now, Ponton has positioned herself at the intersection of fashion, content, and activism. She’s proof that Gen Z creators can build legacy careers if they’re willing to work, pivot, and stay real.
Whether she’s walking runways, posting book recs, or navigating tabloid-level relationship scrutiny, Ponton keeps moving forward. She lives in the moment—which, ironically, is why her career has so much staying power.
The Bottom Line
Olivia Ponton isn’t just another influencer in your feed. She’s a Sports Illustrated model, LGBTQIA+ advocate, podcast host, and one of the hardest-working creatives in the game. From Naples to New York, from TikTok to the runway, she’s built something that lasts—and she’s just getting started.
