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Influencers can’t just enjoy things – Lydia Wanjiru explains difficulties celebs face
13th January, 2026 03:47 PM
Lydia Wanjiru has explained the challenges of being an influencer when buying things for herself.
Lydia explained that while she enjoys purchasing items like designer perfume, being an influencer complicates the experience.
“That’s a great question. And yes, I do buy myself great things and feel amazing about it,” she said on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
She said the main challenge is that most influencers are expected to share what they buy.
“The only downside to that is that as an influencer/content creator, you’re most likely to share that you got yourself something and most will want to know where you got it from,” Lydia explained.
According to her, sharing this information can turn a personal purchase into an unpaid promotion for a brand.
Enjoying and promoting
Lydia said the problem arises when giving free business to brands.
“And now after sharing the plug with them, I’ll be giving free business to that brand, yet they could easily pay me to advertise as I enjoy the product,” she said.
She added that choosing not to share a product also comes with risks.
“Otherwise, if I don’t share the plug I’ll be labeled as gatekeeper and there could be a brand that may have been eyeing to work with me on that particular product and I’ll have jinxed it by getting it myself or giving another business free shoutouts,” Lydia said.
She said this creates a delicate balance between enjoying items personally and managing professional expectations. Influencers like Lydia often navigate the pressure of visibility, brand deals, and public perception.
Her explanation shows how even personal purchases can become complicated by their professional role.
Lydia said the situation can make simple pleasures feel stressful. Her comments shed light on the often unseen side of influencer life. She said the line between personal enjoyment and professional responsibility is not always clear. For many influencers, even buying something for themselves comes with rules they must follow.
