# The new life of Cameron Dallas: He was one of the original influencers with millions of fans before disappearing after his music career flopped. > Source: > Published: 2026-07-17 11:26:19+00:00 # The new life of Cameron Dallas: He was one of the original influencers with millions of fans before disappearing after his music career flopped. Now, insiders tell MOLLY CLAYTON about his very bold bid to return to fame **See more Daily Mail on Google -**[save us as a Preferred Source](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=dailymail.com) When Cameron Dallas signed with Columbia Records in 2018 – the same label that counts Adele, Beyoncé and [Harry Styles](/tvshowbiz/harry_styles/index.html) among its stars – he thought he’d hit the jackpot. Instead, after just two underwhelming singles and a quiet exit from the label, I can reveal the former social media sensation is attempting an unlikely music comeback with the help of [artificial intelligence](/sciencetech/ai/index.html). The Californian influencer has released a staggering six albums already this year – and it’s only July. For comparison, even Elvis Presley, one of the most prolific recording artists of all time, only ever managed to release three albums in a single year. For those who have forgotten, or have never heard of, the once-inescapable star, Dallas was one of the internet’s original influencers. He shot to fame posting comedy sketches and prank videos on now shut down video platform Vine in 2012 before amassing more than 25 million Instagram followers, 17 million on [TikTok](/news/tiktok/index.html) and another five million subscribers on [YouTube](/sciencetech/youtube/index.html). At the height of his fame, he starred in his own Netflix reality series, Chasing Cameron, toured the world meeting screaming fans and was widely tipped to follow Justin Bieber’s path from internet sensation to bona fide pop star. Yet these days, alongside his music, it seems he’s more focused on building Dallas Global Agency, an AI business that helps creators license their face, voice and likeness for AI-generated content, with all of his recent releases coming through its music arm, DGA Records. For those who have forgotten, or have never heard of, the once-inescapable star, Dallas was one of the internet’s original influencers. Seen in the height of his social media fame in 2014 Back in 2018, few influencers could match Dallas’s star power, which is why Columbia Records believed his enormous online following would translate into music sales. Armed with his Justin Bieber-esque floppy hair and an equally Bieber-inspired sound, Dallas released Why Haven’t I Met You? hoping his millions of fans would become music buyers. They didn’t. The single failed to break into the Top 100, while his 2020 follow-up, Helpless, performed similarly. Before long, Columbia quietly parted ways with its influencer signing. Now Dallas appears to have reinvented both his music career and his business model. At VidCon, a tech convention, in June, he openly championed AI-generated content, telling fellow creators that the real money no longer comes from making content yourself but from licensing your face and voice so AI can create it for you. ‘For me, being a creator, one of the best ways to make money, you license your face and voice and allow brands to create content within a conformed set of rules and you get paid every time,’ he said. ‘For creators, we already have so much on our plate creating brand deals and this is going to be a better way to make revenue.’ It’s a philosophy he is now putting into practice himself. Dallas now openly champions AI-generated content, telling fellow creators that the real money no longer comes from making content yourself. He is seen promoting his AI-created track 'Hypnotize' on his Instagram A source told me: ‘He’s put an album out every month. Is he now running out of money and needing a quick buck? There are struggling artists trying to make new and original music and this influencer has come along and decided to release this much music.’ And whether six albums are translating into success is another matter. One video for his latest single has managed barely 1,500 YouTube views, while Dallas has been throwing his energy into TikTok and Instagram promotions, including a bizarre underwater singing challenge that has left many followers scratching their heads. ‘He clearly doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him, he’s making money,’ wrote one commenter. Another added: ‘This guy used to make funny videos and now he’s making this cr**?’ And perhaps the most telling message of them all is how his long-term partner, fellow influencer Madisyn Menchaca, has failed to promote any of her partners songs to her one million followers. And nor is she signed to Cameron’s new AI agency. Chris has been fronting a series of light-hearted videos for BBC Sport around major events, including joining the famous Wimbledon queue and attempting to spot as many tennis players as possible Former Love Island star Chris Hughes appears to have landed on his feet after his surprise exit from ITV Racing. The 33-year-old secured what he once described as his dream job presenting ITV’s horse racing coverage in 2019, but was dropped last year amid reports he had quit over a pay dispute. Chris later insisted those claims were wide of the mark, revealing he had actually been let go as part of wider cost-cutting measures. Responding to racing writer Neil Watson on X, he wrote: ‘Press reports were not true around this. I never once asked for more money, I was simply told they were cost cutting across sport, Euros were coming up etc, and I was one of them that was removed to cost cut. I even offered to work for free at one of the festivals.’ Now I can reveal the BBC has snapped him up. Chris has been fronting a series of light-hearted videos for BBC Sport around major events, including joining the famous Wimbledon queue and attempting to spot as many tennis players as possible around the All England Club. Sources tell me BBC Sport bosses have been impressed with his on-screen charm and are keen to continue working with the former reality star. The village of Oia, where thousands of tourists flock to watch the famous sunset, on Santorini, Greece If you’re splashing out on a dream meal in Santorini this summer, keep a close eye on your dinner. And not because of the seagulls. I’ve been told influencers have found a rather cheeky new way of faking the luxury lifestyle. A contact dining at one of the Greek island’s most sought-after restaurants told me a group of influencers approached her family’s table and asked if they could photograph their food. The influencers themselves had only ordered a single drink at the bar before wandering around the restaurant in search of more photogenic plates. Sure enough, a few hours later, my contact checked Instagram and there it was – her family’s dinner presented as someone else’s lavish feast. It seems, for some influencers, the only thing on the menu this summer is other people’s content. ## UP Relevant to my lead story...This week, TikTok announced a new AI detection system aimed at tackling the growing amount of AI-generated spam and misinformation on the platform. The company says it’s testing improved tools to identify accounts that churn out large volumes of AI-generated content, which can drown out original creators. TikTok also says it has invested more than £3million so far in helping people use AI responsibly, and plans to continue investing in these efforts. ## DOWN A freedom of information request revealed that Stockton Council spent almost £2,000 of taxpayers’ money on social media influencers to promote local events, yet has no evidence showing whether the campaigns delivered value. The influencers, based in Northumberland, Newcastle and Sunderland rather than Teesside, were paid between £125 and £600 to advertise attractions including Preston Park Museum’s Tracks of Change exhibition, the Stockton and Darlington Railway Anniversary Journey and Ghost Train, and the Stockton Sparkles festive programme. Despite the spending, the council has been unable to provide information demonstrating whether the promotions achieved measurable success or benefited taxpayers. Miu Miu has announced Little Simz as its latest UK ambassador for Miu Miu Beauty, with the rapper and actress fronting the brand’s new Fleur de Lait fragrance campaign. It’s a strong partnership for both sides. Little Simz – real name Simbiatu Ajikawo – has had an incredible few years, cementing her place as one of the UK’s most celebrated artists. Following the critical success of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and No Thank You, she picked up a Mercury Prize, a MOBO Award for Best Hip-Hop Act, and three BRIT Award nominations in 2024. Beyond music, she’s sold out Alexandra Palace twice, became the first Black British woman to have a solo cover of British Vogue, starred in Netflix’s Top Boy, and performed on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage. With that kind of influence, she feels like a natural fit for Miu Miu Beauty. If you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe while supporting a good cause, Zoi Era’s latest collection is well worth a look. Founded by a former fashion industry insider after becoming a mum, the brand is built around creating timeless pieces while championing flexible careers for women. Even better, its newest launch is supporting The Girls’ Network, the UK charity that mentors girls from underserved communities, with 10 per cent of sales from selected pieces donated to the cause. Stylish, thoughtfully designed and giving back at the same time – now that’s fashion I can get behind. Email me – molly.clayton@dailymail.co.uk Instagram – @mollyroseclayton TikTok – @mollclayton