Who is ‘skinny influencer’ Liv Schmidt? The controversial creator – who interned at J.P. Morgan and worked with PrettyLittleThing – was banned from TikTok but is back to ‘rage baiting’ from a new account

Oct 14 , 2024

The New York creator came under fire for her ‘skinny’ content that mimics the pro-ana movement of the 90s; in real life, she’s battled anxiety, is into fashion, and is a corporate girlie

Despite being banned from TikTok for violating community guidelines with her “skinny” content, influencer Liv Schmidt has doubled down on her “rage baiting” (the practice of deliberately eliciting outrage to increase online engagement) by launching a new account, under a different name. Among her latest posts is a brag about how she manages to save money by buying clothes from the kids’ section, thanks to being so tiny. “It’s not a sin to want to be thin,” her bio reads.

Liv Schmidt and her date Max Coleman, pictured in April in New York. Photo: livsschmidt/Instagram

The creator has received massive backlash for promoting an unhealthy lifestyle, with critics suggesting that she is spreading misinformation and encouraging eating disorders. Still, she commands a huge female fan base that she calls “cultlike”, with supporters lauding her for her choices and complimenting her physique. Dead Weight author Emmeline Clein also stood up for the young woman, telling The New York Times, “When we make Liv the villain of the story rather than Instagram or TikTok, all that does is bully a woman, while making space for the next one.”

So who is Liv Schmidt really? Here’s everything we know about the “skinny influencer”.

She has a day job away from social media

Liv Schmidt at her graduation from the University of Arizona. Photo: Liv Schmidt/LinkedIn

According to her LinkedIn, Liv Schmidt last year graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona, where she pursued a bachelor’s in digital marketing and public relations. She has interned with Bulgari, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan – and lingerie brand Kiki de Montparnasse. The 22-year-old is based in New York and works as a social event coordinator at a private family office. She is also a certified life, health and wellness coach.

She’s into fashion

Liv Schmidt at New York Fashion Week in September. Photo: @livsschmidt/Instagram

Schmidt is popular with the fashion set, and was recently seen attending New York Fashion Week. She has worked with brands like Alexander Wang, PrettyLittleThing and Alice + Olivia.