Model Chaly D.N. rose to internet fame for being Kim Kardashian's doppelganger. But it didn't come at a cheap price: She spent over a million dollars on her quest to look like Kim. This is her story.
Meet Chaly D.N.
This is Chaly D.N., the woman making waves on Instagram for looking like Kim Kardashian. But if you ask her? She has an identity much larger than that of a Kim look-alike. So how did Chaly become the popular influencer she is today?
The London-based gal is a self-described "Entrepreneur, traveler, vegan, meditator" and woman "empowering all women." Like many other social media stars, Chaly's feed is filled with gorgeous shots of her day-to-day life. But D.N. said she's never been like other influencers.
A Different Kind of Influencer
According to Chaly, she's always stood out from other influencers because of her opulent lifestyle."I've spent millions on shoes and bags and clothes. I portray luxury," D.N. said. "Luxury is very important to me. Everything I do is luxury. That's what makes me different from the rest."
While other influencers chase their wanderlust dreams through van life or show viewers how to dress chic on a budget, Chaly never had interest in that. She wanted to portray glamour from head-to-toe, as it was the lifestyle that best fit who she was.
She Made Moolah
Fortunately, Chaly was apparently able to afford her luxurious habits. The social media star claimed she made a lot of money as her online presence and popularity increased. D.N. spent a lot of moolah on clothes and fancy dinners, but she also allegedly earned a lot.
Chaly also enjoyed being in control of her own schedule as a social media star. "I make serious money being an influencer, and I love my life," she shared. "It's like being your own boss. You make your own money; you make your own rules; you live your life however you want it to be."
An Aspiring Model
Before gaining online popularity, Chaly was your average aspiring supermodel. The fashionista did photoshoots for wedding designers, worked as a promoter at beach clubs, and auditioned for music videos for the likes of hip-hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
Chaly even went to a casting for the Formula One World Championship in Abu Dhabi. And while she later became an influencer on Instagram, there are no public memories from these early years except for some random Tweets. So how did D.N. come to gain a following of hundreds of thousands?
Who Was She Before?
How did Chaly rise to become an Instagram star, with her name splashed across headlines and features on YouTube videos? It's hard to find much information on D.N.'s life before being an internet celeb, and the oldest upload on her 'gram dates back to July 2018.
At the time of this article, the influencer's life before online fame seems to be a bit of a mystery - and the starlet reportedly won't reveal her age. But we do know how Chaly became the jet-setting, glam woman she is today. It all started when D.N. realized she had a celebrity doppelganger...
A Resemblance to a Certain Someone...
It's probably safe to say Chaly's life changed thanks to someone else rising to fame. We're talking about reality T.V. star and beauty mogul Kim Kardashian, of course. Some years ago, people started stopping D.N. everywhere and anywhere to tell her she looked like Kim.
"People tell me I look like Kim Kardashian every single minute. Every time they see me on the street or at a party or everywhere," Chaly shared. "I get stopped for photos all the time - I love the attention." But D.N. said that when this first started, she didn't even know what Kim looked like.
She Didn't Know Who Kim Was
After getting stopped countless times, Chaly finally starting looking into who Kardashian was. D.N. searched for the Skims' owner online. She realized the two truly looked similar after seeing pictures of Kim and following the starlet's social media accounts.
"I realized that I look like her the moment I saw her picture, and I started following her on Instagram. I'm like, 'Oh my God, that's me. That actually looks like me. Is that me?'" Chaly explained. "We actually have a very similar style, and everything that I see on her, I want to wear it."
She Started Admiring Kim
But figuring out she looked like the famous Kardashian was only the beginning of Chaly's adventures into Kim's world. After observing that the two ladies shared a similar taste in fashion, D.N. started admiring the reality T.V. star more and more - and not just for her looks.
Chaly didn't mind that people confused the two women because she looked up to the billionaire's beauty and brains. "I love the way she looks, and I think she's the most beautiful woman in the world. She's so smart and such a businesswoman, and obviously, she is an icon, so no, it doesn't bother me," D.N. said.
Keeping Up Became Her Job
It wasn't long before Chaly's appreciation for Kim became more than admiration. An entrepreneurial woman herself, D.N. saw a business opportunity in looking and dressing like Kardashian. The aspiring influencer started keeping up with the celebrity as part of her job.
But looking like Kim, who has a top-tier glam squad at hand and a whopping net worth, was no simple task. "I always have to keep changing my bags because I have to keep up with the Kardashians," Chaly explained. "I mean, that's who I am, and I'm an influencer, so I have to."
She's Not the Only One
Chaly wasn't the first Kardashian look-alike to come around town. Before her came Kamilla Osman, a Canadian once teased in high school for looking like the celeb. Kami was even on an episode of KUWTK after Kim's BFF Jonathan Cheban invited her to dinner.
And this doppelganger actually met the star herself, as Kim crashed her dinner date with Jonathan. What ensued was, as Kardashian said, "Awkwardness." Would Chaly ever land on the reality show for her newfound fame? Either way, acting as the starlet's look-alike proved profitable.
Looking Like Kim Was Expensive
But as Chaly made more money from business ventures and looking like Kim, she also spent more money. "I've spent millions on shoes and bags and clothes," the online star claimed. How much exactly did D.N. invest in her pursuit to look like Kardashian?
According to Chaly, she put down a massive 1.1 million pounds, which converts to roughly $1.53 million U.S. dollars. From a $30K Rolex watch to a $4K designer dress once worn by Kim, it seems D.N. spared no dime on her quest for internet stardom. But what else has that called for?
What's in Her Closet?
What exactly ended up in Chaly's closet as she continued to keep up with Kim? D.N.'s wardrobe staples include clothing and accessories from top brands like Prada, Gucci, Balmain, and other big names. And it's safe to say that creating this high-end collection was far from cheap.
Chaly said her favorite item is a nearly $3,000 Balmain dress. The design is an LBD with neon yellow stripes. The influencer also showed off a $3,470 Fendi dress and a watch worth a whopping $200,000. But D.N. made sure to buy clothes that were not only expensive but similar to Kim's...
She Owns Kim's Fave Coat
Since Chaly invested hundreds of thousands in clothes, she was able to not only imitate Kim's style but actually buy some of the same pieces as the celebrity. The internet star raved about an estimated $9,720 Givenchy fur coat that, according to her, is Kardashian's top pick.
"This is so pretty. I wear it like, every winter. This is Kim's favorite," Chaly claimed. "This is about 7,000 pounds. It's not real fur because I'm vegan... When I wear this, I feel like Kim Kardashian - and it feels so good." But the adoration didn't end with the Givenchy coat.
Buying Kim's Shoes and Dresses
The Insta influencer said that her wardrobe is filled with some of Kim's favorite items. For example, Chaly flaunted a Balmain dress that she said is worth more than $5,500. "This is Balmain. This is Kim's favorite, too. I love it," D.N. said of the designer piece.
Chaly also bought a pair of white Tom Ford heels for nearly $1,400. The Kim-admirer said the starlet has the same shoes in her wardrobe. "This is one of Kim's favorites," D.N. said. "I've seen her wear this like a million times. These are a thousand pounds."
Her Handbag Collection
But perhaps Chaly's biggest pride and joy is her incredible handbag collection. A peek into her closet reveals Louis Vuitton accessories and a Givenchy piece she claimed was worth over $5,500. But a couple thousand is nothing compared to how much D.N. spent in total on purses.
Chaly said she spent up to 400,000 pounds, about $555,500, on handbags to keep pace with Kim. "I've spent so much fortune on my handbags. I would say about three, four hundred thousand pounds," D.N. shared. "My favorite bag is Givenchy. This bag is about four thousand pounds."
Her Family Worried
The celebrity doppelganger felt pressure to stay on top of the trends. "I always have to keep changing my bags because I've got to keep up with the Kardashians," she explained. "I am an influencer, so I have to go with the trend. Every season I have to change my clothes, so I've spent a fortune."
But while Chaly viewed emulating Kardashian's lifestyle as a necessary part of her career, the influencer's loved ones felt differently. "My friends and family tell me I have to slow down," D.N. admitted. "I've spent so much on clothes and my looks, so they're always worried."
It's More Than Their Similar Style
So Chaly claimed to own some of Kardashian's favorite pieces, from a brand-name fur coat to Tom Ford heels. But a quick scroll through the aspiring star's 'gram shows it's more than just her style that resembles the reality television icon; it's D.N.'s physical features, too.
Chaly has long black hair, similar to the style often boasted by Kardashian. The women arguably also have similar facial features, from their dark, arched eyebrows to tan skin. And that might be because a chunk of the $1 million D.N. spent included beauty-enhancing procedures.
"I Haven't Had Any Surgeries"
Chaly admitted to getting botox and face fillers, including procedures to enhance her chin, jawline, and cheekbones. But D.N. clarified that she stayed away from plastic surgery. "I've never had any surgeries to look like Kim," the influencer assured.
She added, "But I've had Botox and fillers - everyone does it." While the botox and fillers made her look more like Kim, Chaly said that's incidental. "I've never tried to look like Kim. I naturally look like Kim, so I love myself the way I am," D.N. claimed. But she still worried about her cosmetic habits...
She Worried About Her Procedures
While Chaly loved the way the botox and other procedures made her look, she was concerned about losing her identity. "I'm actually a bit worried because if I keep doing this fillers and botox, I might, I don't know, lose track of myself," D.N. confessed.
But the influencer had a tight relationship with her doctor and adored the work he does. "I love my face. It's so beautiful," Chaly told him after a visit. "You did a great job. You always make me the most happiest girl in the world." Yet the cosmetic professional had some concerns of his own...
Her Doctor Worried, Too
When Chaly documented a visit to her plastic surgeon and asked to "have some more cheeks," the doctor rejected the idea. "We already did them about three months ago," he replied. "I think it would be a bit too early and a bit too much for you right now."
And it's likely not the first time that's happened. D.N. admitted that just as she worried about her cosmetic enhancing habits, so did her go-to doctor. "Yeah, he always tells me like, 'Chaly, you have to slow down, like you're going over the top,'" the influencer explained.
She Loves Being Mistaken for Kim
But despite what Chaly's doctor thought or the Instagrammer's fears of losing herself, looking like Kim Kardashian undoubtedly helped D.N. grow her online persona and brand. As of the writing of this article, the rising star has over 740K followers on the Gram.
And while constantly being compared to Kim Kardashian might sound overwhelming, Chaly said she wouldn't have it any other way. "I wouldn't trade my life. I love myself the way I am," D.N. said. But self-love didn't stop the haters from arriving at her door.
She Faced Lots of Criticism Online
Some people didn't think Chaly actually looked like the reality tv star. "I'm sorry, but where in the world does she get mistaken for Kim Kardashian? She literally does not look like her. You can tell she tries to look like her, but she doesn't," wrote one online user.
And that wasn't the only dissenter. "The mirror never mistakes her for Kim K, and she knows it," wrote someone else. Another user questioned whether D.N. naturally looked like the starlet and wrote, "She doesn't look like Kim, she just has lots of plastic surgery and similar makeup."
Users Labeled Her as "Sad"
While some questioned Chaly and Kim's similarities, others seemed to pity the influencer. "This is honestly very sad. Imagine living to be a copy of someone else," said an online user. "She screams insecurity, and it's sad," read a different comment. "Money and looks don't mean confidence and happiness."
"Imagine having no personal identity... your life is literally based around resembling someone else as their life," said one person. Other users echoed this sentiment. But while some bashed Chaly for aiming to live as someone else, she then claimed that her goal wasn't to be Kim Kardashian.
Chaly Said She's Not Based on Kim K
In a surprising turn of events, Chaly explained that she didn't try to look like the Hollywood icon. "I'm not trying to be or trying to look like Kim," D.N. clarified. "I just want to, you know, make sure like I look great and just top off and to look fresh."
"People really think my style is based on Kim Kardashian, but we're two different people," said the influencer. "I'm Chaly D.N. She's Kim Kardashian." D.N. soon had the opportunity of a lifetime to prove she was a star in her own light, regardless of any resemblance to Kardashian.
Brand Partnerships
Despite Chaly wanting to have her own identity, looking like Kim certainly had its financial benefits. As the internet star grew in popularity, she landed some impressive brand partnerships. In fact, one of these collabs was with the same company Kardashian worked with.
Just like Kim partnered with Flat Tummy Co. a few times throughout the years, Chaly sponsored the company's Flat Tummy Lifestyle application. Add being a Fashion Nova rep, and we're sure D.N. pocked some good money into the bank. But partnerships were only the tip of the iceberg.
A Game-Changing Opportunity
As Chaly's popularity grew, she got a chance to model for a serious brand. It was her younger self's dream come true: D.N. went from auditioning for music videos to landing a couture gig. But for the popular influencer, this chance meant more than just another job.
D.N. believed the upcoming modeling project was an opportunity to separate her brand from Kardashian. "Today's photoshoot is for a couture designer brand. It's something that, you know, I haven't done before that shows a different side of me. It's not just Kim K, it's Chaly D.N.," she said.
Meeting Award-Winning Designers
So who exactly gave Chaly the opportunity to rise to fame outside the shadow of her celebrity doppelganger? Award-winning couture designer Nina Naustdal. D.N. was excited but also nervous about the new experience. "The most important thing about my job is making sure my clients are happy," she said.
"I have a whole collection with me for you to try today," Nina said when she met the model. "It goes with the image. It's hot couture, it's all handmade." Chaly could hardly believe her eyes when she got a glimpse of Naustdal's beautiful designs. Could D.N. go from streetwear Insta model to couture icon?
"My Reputation Is On the Line"
Chaly felt pressure on the day of the gig. "If this shoot doesn't go perfectly, my reputation is on the line," she worried. "I'm super nervous for today's shoot." But once D.N. arrived to the set and got into the wardrobe, everything seemed to click.
Among other pieces, the influencer modeled a dress filled with handmade Swarovski stones valued at about $17,700 and a red dress worth $11,800. "Oh my god, I'm gonna feel like a billion-dollar," Chaly commented after seeing the pieces. But what did her followers think?
What Did the Gram Think?
Chaly felt like the couture pieces she modeled represented exactly her brand: "sexy," "powerful," and "classy," as the influencer put it. And just two hours after the shoot, D.N. received the photos and shared them with nearly 800k followers on the Gram.
"I'm really excited to post this picture because this is something new I haven't done before, so I can't wait to see people's reactions," she said. For the most part, D.N.s followers showered the starlet in compliments. But some questioned her natural beauty. "Chill on the fillers love," wrote one user.
"I'm Ready To Find My Kanye"
Whether people love her or hate her, it seems like Chaly will keep doing her thing. For now, D.N. is committed to staying on top of the trends and keeping up with Kim, even if it costs millions. And despite wanting to form her own identity outside of the Hollywood icon, she will "always" admire Kardashian.
"I think I will always be inspired by Kim Kardashian's look," Chaly said. "I mean, she's iconic. She's the most gorgeous woman in the world. I'm ready to find my Kanye." Don't worry, we'll make sure to keep you in the loop if D.N. ever finds her Mr. West.