At just 24 years old, Zaira Yzabelle has become one of Australia’s most magnetic digital creators, amassing millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube — all from the comfort of her living room.
Known for her vibrant dancing, authentic personality, and a passion for uplifting others, the self-taught Filipina-Australian performer has turned content creation into both an art form and a platform for impact.
From performing at the 2024 Australian TikTok Awards to working with top-tier brands and collaborating with Warner Music, Zaira continues to carve a path that blends creativity, representation, and heart. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her rise in the digital world, her inspirations, and the bigger purpose behind her growing empire.
A heartfelt thank you to Zaira for sharing her journey, insights, and the passion that drives her forward.
IMAGE: HANNAH BALANAY
You started gaining momentum in 2021 and have since built a massive following across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. What moment made you realize content creation was becoming more than just a passion and turning into a career?
For the first couple of years, I was still trying to find my niche — mixing lifestyle, fitness, and dancing. But everything shifted when my dancing started gaining real recognition. Going from under 100,000 followers to over a million in less than a year on Instagram was surreal. That was the first major moment when I realized, “I finally cracked the code.”
Collaborating with some of my favourite brands and getting invited to events I had only dreamed of before made it all feel even more real — like I was finally stepping into the industry I belonged in. Once I started to fully embrace being a creator — after I quit my jobs and later my studies — I was able to put my all into my creative side.
But what truly solidified it for me was the support from my community. Not only was I earning more through content creation than I ever had working in hospitality and retail, but I was also connecting with people on a deeper level. The messages, the encouragement, and the love from my followers made it clear that this wasn’t just a hobby anymore — it was a career, and something I genuinely wanted to dedicate myself to.
You’ve performed at the 2024 Australian TikTok Awards, worked with top brands, and even danced backup for Emma Memma — what’s been the most rewarding or surreal moment in your career so far?
One of the most rewarding and surreal moments in my journey so far was performing on stage at the 2024 Australian TikTok Awards. Hearing my friends and supporters cheering me on — it honestly felt like a dream. After years of dancing, often in my living room with just my phone, being on that stage alongside some of the biggest creators (and incredibly talented, trained dancers) was a full-circle moment.
I’d struggled with imposter syndrome for a long time, especially since I had never been professionally trained in dancing and was completely self-taught.
I was known as “the girl who dances in her living room,” and part of me questioned whether I’d ever get the chance to perform beyond that space. But in that moment, sharing the stage with dancers and other creators I deeply respect, I thought, “I made it.” It was a moment of personal triumph I’ll never forget.
How did the Warner Music experience differ from your usual dance and lifestyle content? Did it challenge or inspire you in any new ways creatively?
Working with Warner Music was an incredible opportunity that pushed me to grow both artistically and personally. It allowed me to explore a range of musical genres, taking me beyond what I was posting daily and challenging me to step outside of my comfort zone.
Learning and performing choreography with precision required me to refine techniques I wasn’t used to, which at times was difficult — but ultimately transformative. That experience not only strengthened my versatility but also inspired me to incorporate new styles and approaches into my future projects.
You’ve grown successfully across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube — how do you approach each platform differently, and how do you keep your content fresh across them all?
Every social media platform has its own audience and algorithm — a video that thrives on one platform might not perform well on another. That challenge can be frustrating for creators, but it’s also what keeps the creative process exciting.
On TikTok, people gravitate toward authenticity and often enjoy longer, unfiltered content. Instagram leans toward short, visually polished posts, while YouTube blends the two, offering space for both aesthetic and raw, real moments.
When it comes to my content, practicing a balance between tapping into popular trends and creating original ideas is so important. It’s easy to follow what everyone else is doing, but that’s also the quickest way to blend in — and I’ve always wanted to stand out. I always emphasise to my audience how important it is to follow your own path.
I intentionally limit my time online to protect my creativity and keep my ideas as true to myself as possible. I focus on what I know my audience genuinely connects with: my dancing, my sense of humour, and the special moments I share with my family.
At the end of the day, that authenticity is what keeps me grounded — and what I believe makes the connection with my audience real. All I want is for others to enhance the person they are without losing themselves because of what others think. There’s so much power in being yourself.
Representation matters — as a Filipina creator based in Australia, how does your identity shape your content and the way you connect with your audience?
As a Filipina creator in a Western country, one of my biggest goals is to use my platform to empower others to embrace their identity and culture — to remind them that they don’t need to blend in to belong. Representation matters, and I want people to feel proud of who they are, no matter where they come from.
One of the ways I do this is through a series I created on Instagram called “Big Sister Advice,” where I share thoughts on self-love and personal growth. It’s deeply important to me to create a safe space — a place where my community can show up as their true selves, free from judgment. I believe that by showing up confidently and authentically, I can help inspire others to do the same.
For me, content creation is about so much more than just posting videos. It’s about building real, emotional connections with people across the world. It’s about uplifting others, encouraging self-discovery, and creating a ripple effect of confidence and self-worth. That’s the kind of impact I hope to leave behind.
With so much happening in your career — from fashion collabs to charity work — what’s one goal you’re still chasing, or one new direction you’re excited to explore next?
Some of the dreams I’m still working toward involve building something that goes beyond just my personal journey. I’d love to create a business rooted in my love for dance — whether that’s through launching my own dance classes or creating a clothing line specifically designed for dancers. I want it to be something that not only celebrates movement, but also empowers and supports the dance community.
Another dream close to my heart is to establish a foundation for underprivileged students — one that provides essentials like school supplies and meals. Since 2017, I’ve been supporting an elementary school in the Philippines each year, but I hope to one day formalize that work into something bigger, more sustainable, and more far-reaching.
Ultimately, I want these two goals to work hand in hand. I envision a future where a portion of the proceeds from my dance brand directly supports the foundation I built for underprivileged students. That way, the business becomes more than just a brand — it becomes a vehicle for change. It’s about building something with heart, purpose, and impact — not just for me, but for the communities I care deeply about.
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