5 Shocking Ways Olivia Ponton Turned Viral Twerking Videos Into A Multi-Million Dollar Modeling Career

The digital landscape is ruthless, but few influencers have mastered the art of career pivot quite like Olivia Ponton. As of late 2025, the model and content creator has successfully transitioned from a viral TikTok dancer known for provocative content—including the infamous "twerking" videos that first captured global attention—to a two-time *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* model and a vocal advocate for the pansexual community. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at her journey, separating the viral dance floor drama from her high-fashion editorial success.

The initial curiosity surrounding "Olivia Ponton twerking" videos, which exploded during the early days of the Gen Z app, served as a powerful, albeit controversial, springboard. Videos featuring her dynamic dance moves and "sexy & hot moments" quickly became compilation fodder on platforms like YouTube, including a widely circulated, now-deleted clip involving rapper 6ix9ine. However, the real story is how she strategically redirected that explosive, curiosity-driven fame toward legitimate, high-profile career opportunities that are defining her 2025 trajectory.

Olivia Ponton: A Full Biography and Career Profile (2025 Update)

Olivia Ponton is an American professional model, content creator, and social media influencer who has leveraged a massive online following into a successful mainstream career.

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• Full Name: Olivia Ponton
• Date of Birth: May 30, 2002
• Age (as of late 2025): 23 years old
• Hometown: Naples, Florida
• High School: Naples High School
• Career Start: Began her career in 2016, with her public profile taking off dramatically after joining TikTok in 2020.
• Social Media Presence: Has a combined following of over 12 million across major platforms, including TikTok (@iamoliviaponton), Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
• Modeling Agencies: Initially signed with Wilhelmina Models in 2020, and later made a significant move to sign with IMG Models in 2022, solidifying her status in the high-fashion industry.
• Major Publications/Editorial Work: *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* (2022 Rookie Class, two-time model), *Glamour Bulgaria* (July 2023 Cover), *Rivet* (2024 Editorial), *WWD* (2024 Editorial), and an exclusive *Elite Daily* feature (2025).
• Personal Identity: Came out as bisexual in 2021 (*Teen Vogue*), and later identified as pansexual, becoming a prominent advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
• Key Relationships: Past relationship with fellow TikTok star Kio Cyr; rumored to be linked to NFL quarterback Joe Burrow in early 2024.

The Viral Dance Phenomenon: From TikTok Trends to Twerking Controversies

Olivia Ponton's rise to stardom is intrinsically linked to the "viral dance" culture that defined the early 2020s TikTok era. While many young creators, including contemporaries like Addison Rae and Charli D'Amelio, gained fame through choreographed routines, Ponton's content often leaned into a more provocative, body-confident style that generated intense curiosity and, at times, controversy.

The search term "Olivia Ponton twerking" remains highly popular because these early videos were a crucial part of her initial virality. These clips were frequently featured in "hot moments" and "sexy compilation" videos on YouTube, often without her direct control. One particularly notable incident involved a clip where she was seen dancing with the controversial rapper 6ix9ine, a video that was quickly deleted but remains a persistent search query.

This type of content, while drawing millions of views and followers, also brought scrutiny. Critics sometimes accused her and other creators of prioritizing provocative dances over genuine talent, or, in the case of her later relationships, even leveled accusations of "queer baiting" against her as her profile grew. However, Ponton’s ability to remain authentic and address these criticisms head-on, particularly regarding her pansexual identity, allowed her to weather the storm and maintain a loyal following.

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How Ponton Leveraged TikTok Fame into High-Fashion Credibility

The most impressive aspect of Ponton’s career is her successful transition from a "TikTok dancer" to a respected professional model. Her signing with Wilhelmina Models in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, was the first major step in this pivot. This move validated her marketability beyond social media, proving that her confidence and physique could translate to high-fashion work. The subsequent leap to IMG Models in 2022 was a clear signal that she was serious about a long-term modeling career, placing her among the industry's elite.

Her work with *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* is arguably the pinnacle of this transformation. Being named to the 2022 Rookie Class and returning for subsequent appearances allowed her to reframe her public image from a viral dancer to a powerful figure promoting body positivity and self-acceptance.

Key Elements of Her Career Pivot:

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• Strategic Agency Moves: Moving from a commercial agency (Wilhelmina) to a high-fashion powerhouse (IMG) demonstrated ambition.
• Editorial Focus: Securing features in publications like *Glamour Bulgaria*, *Rivet*, and *WWD* in 2023 and 2024 showed her commitment to editorial work over simple brand sponsorships.
• Advocacy: Her open discussion about being pansexual in *Teen Vogue* and other outlets shifted the narrative from "dance controversy" to "identity and advocacy."

Latest Projects and What to Expect from Olivia Ponton in 2025

Entering late 2025, Olivia Ponton continues to evolve her brand, focusing on new ventures that solidify her status as a multi-platform entrepreneur and advocate. Her recent projects highlight a move toward more intellectual and long-form content, moving further away from the short-form dance videos that made her famous.

One of the most anticipated announcements of 2025 is her teased new project related to Rebecca Yarros’s best-selling fantasy novel, *Fourth Wing*. This venture suggests a strategic alignment with the "BookTok" community and a desire to engage with her audience on a deeper, more personal level through her own reading interests. Furthermore, her exclusive feature with *Elite Daily* in late 2025 gave fans a candid look at her journey, emphasizing her resilience and growth in the industry.

By transforming initial viral content—even the most sensational "twerking" videos—into a foundation for a legitimate, diverse career in modeling, editorial work, and advocacy, Olivia Ponton has proven that a strong personal brand can successfully navigate the volatile waters of internet fame. Her journey serves as a blueprint for how today’s digital stars can achieve lasting topical authority and success.