Influencers with Influence: Reality TV Star Nabilla

“Non, mais allô, quoi ? T’es une fille et t’as pas de shampooing ?” 

“I mean, like, hello? You’re a girl and you’ve got no shampoo?” 

For some, these words might be instantaneously placed to the face behind the catchphrase, for others they might mean nothing at all. 

But for French reality TV star Nabilla Benettia, known to many as Nabilla, these were the words which cemented her claim to the French-it-girl title of the early 2010s. Indeed, les Anges de la télé-réalité took France by storm after Nabilla uttered her notorious catchphrase on screen, creating such a buzz that in 2013, Nabilla registered a trademark at the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle. 

Living outside of France, I came across Nabilla many years later in online reruns of the series Allô Nabilla — En famille à Paris. Watching the old episodes with a nostalgia for the “party years” at the time, I warmed to Nabilla for her glamorous nonchalance and whimsical attitude as she navigated a new chapter of her life in Paris. Although the star of the show has got to be Nabilla’s grandmother, Livia Grange — Nabilla still made her mark on the capital. 

Before the series, I came across Nabilla’s catchphrase, not in the heyday of subsequent IKEA or Carrefour commercials, but in a French language class at the Sorbonne. I could recall the lecturer eloquently describing the essence of “allô quoi” in daily usage, at great lengths as to when, how and why one would use the turn of phrase – without single mention of the reality TV star! 

 

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It is true that despite Nabilla’s rise to fame, she has also come under fire for serious run-ins with the law over the years, coupled with what some may call a superficial persona on screen, as a bad stigma started to shroud her name.  

Often labelled the “French Kim Kardashian,” Nabilla has similarly been seen to speak out on issues of legal and social justice, responding recently to the shocking and painful story of Gisèle Pélicot. Nabilla showed her strong admiration for the victim in French media, applauding Madame Pélicot’s strength and courage during her trial, calling her “an example for all women on this earth” on X (formerly Twitter). 

Following Nabilla’s efforts to fundraise nearly 30,000 euros during the trial, Gisèle Pélicot has decided not to accept the donation, as her lawyers called for “moderation on social media […] to preserve the dignity and serenity of the debates currently being held before the Vaucluse Departmental Criminal Court.” 

On TikTok, with an influential following of young girls perhaps wanting to be the next Nabilla, the star has been seen uploading 4.5-minute clips discussing her favorite literature. Talking about the importance of reading books in English and French, Nabilla’s repertoire is vastly evolving from that of the TV personality some 10 years ago. 

She gets support on the clip… 

“Nabilla on booktook ?? :o” 

“Nabilla is really the best glow up in history”  

…but we also see comments like these: 

“2×2= ? Answer that one Nabila”  

@nabilla.v Mon top de lecture !!! Mes conseils pour des livres inspirants et faciles a lire 📚📖! #lecture #livre #lectricedebutante ♬ son original – Nabilla

Some might be quick to judge the 32-year-old influencer, whether this be due to the way she looks or her questionable past. Perhaps it’s time people are more open-minded about what Nabilla can achieve, and whom she can influence, given her following. Whether this be a redemptive PR act to cover the wrongs of her past, Nabilla is using her platform for forces of good as a positive role model for young girls. 

Ultimately, there is no one linear template for female media personalities in the public eye. It seems that Nabilla, as a brand, is maturing.  

From glamour model to role model, I am intrigued to see what is next for the French reality star. 

 

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