In an age where social media decides who gets to be a star, we often find ourselves idolizing ordinary people for no reason other than their online presence. With the global domination of apps such as TikTok or Instagram, “regular” people are being thrust into the spotlight seemingly overnight at an increasing rate. As a result, celebrity worship has been forced to adapt to the sudden influx of up-and-coming celebrities.
Prior to this shift in celebrity culture, fame was typically earned through a specific talent or skill of some sort, not just for a single moment of time. However, I believe the Kardashian move towards stardom marked the shift in celebrity culture. Kim Kardashian became famous for a leaked video of her engaging in sexual acts. She capitalized off of her fifteen minutes of fame, and turned it into 17 years and counting of success. Now, other new “celebrities” are attempting to do the same. Take Hailey Welch, the “hawk tuah girl”, as a more recent example. Four months ago, Welch appeared on a street interview claiming that the best way to make a man happy in bed was to “give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang.” It went incredibly viral, and Welch is now attempting to prolong her fame by creating wildly successful merchandise, starting a podcast, and signing with a talent agency. She did not rise to fame for a certain skill, but rather due to one marketable clip, and has capitalized on it to such an extent that she has become idolized.
But what makes someone worth being idolized? Why is it that random people are put on a pedestal for nothing other than one viral clip or for releasing one of the many “songs of the summer”? Many viral stars gain fame because they act “like us” but still manage to capture mass attention. This relatability makes them easier to admire and root for than traditional celebrities who seem distant and “perfect.” A regular person achieving fame on social media often feels validating for the audience, suggesting that fame is within reach for anyone. Additionally, social media likes, shares, and comments create a feedback loop of social validation. When a piece of content goes viral, the high engagement gives the impression that the person behind it must be significant or talented. When someone actually “makes it” from one viral video, it reinforces the notion that fame is accessible to all, fueling both admiration and the pedestal effect—people become symbols of a dream that others wish to achieve.
TikTok and Instagram have democratized fame, allowing everyday people to become famous without traditional media. This has given rise to “micro-celebrities” who build loyal, niche followings and are perceived as more approachable than traditional celebrities. Audiences often feel more connected to these influencers, leading to a sense of personal loyalty and sometimes even a perception of friendship. Traditional celebrities, especially in the pre-social media age, were inaccessible. Now “true” celebrities have had to adapt to the ever-changing world of fame and reinvent themselves. This engagement fosters a sense of intimacy. The curated, yet “authentic” glimpses into celebrities’ lives heightens a sense of relatability. Fans feel they “know” the celebrity personally, which fuels parasocial relationships and intensifies celebrity worship. This is especially true on TikTok, where “being real” is key to success.
Additionally, on social media, fans can now connect with each other across the globe and create content around their favorite stars. This leads to strong, community-based fan cultures. This often drives celebrity worship into a collective activity, where the identity of the fan group (like the “BTS Army” or “Swifties”) becomes integral to the experience.
This change is not necessarily good, though. Celebrities such as Chapell Roan have recently come out against parasocial relationships, sharing that it has proven disastrous for their mental health. On August 24, on her Instagram account, Roan wrote “I’ve been in too many non consensual physical and social interactions and I just need to lay it out and remind you, women don’t owe you shit.”
After all, celebrities are human, and should not be treated as spectacles. She later emphasized that she was talking about “predatory behavior (disguised as ‘superfan’ behavior) that has become normalized”.
All in all, celebrity culture now encourages parasocial relationships in order to capitalize off of fame, as celebrities move from unattainable to easily accessible. In a world where fame is increasingly accessible and fleeting, the move towards modern celebrity worship reflects our desire for connection and relatability—but it also exposes the risks of idolizing people who, ultimately, are just as human as the rest of us.
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