Do Influencers Deserve the Same Opportunities as Celebrities in Hollywood?

Fame is widely desired because of the validation, attention, and power that comes with it. Great controversy surrounds whether there is space in Hollywood for up-and-coming social media stars. Content creators are making their mark by partnering and signing deals with big brands and labels. A heated debate has sparked amongst the public, who have raised their concerns over the status of influencers and the future of the entertainment industry. Are influencers beginning to replace and draw attention away from well-established celebrities? Should influencers stay on the medium they started with? Or is their inclusion vital to the relevance of the entertainment industry?  

Over the years, celebrities rose to fame because of their talents and they have maintained the attention of an audience by sharing the intimate details of their lives. The definition of “celebrity status” is not easily decipherable, however, it is typically described as a level of fame that has gained a person public recognition due to media attention. Sprout Social, a social media management and optimization platform for brands and agencies of all sizes, defines an influencer as “someone in your niche or industry with sway over your target audience…Their pre-existing presence in a niche makes them a useful launching pad for brands in search of credibility”. An influencer is a new branch of celebrities that has stemmed from the rise of social media, the advertising opportunities it provides, and the money that can be made. 

Influencers are now nabbing invites to exclusive award shows and high-profile events like the Met Gala. These sometimes deemed “talentless” social media personalities attended the event alongside accomplished actors, musicians, and athletes. Many believe that expanding the 2021 Met Gala invite list to include more influencers made the event lose its prestige. Fans were furious when popular influencers who rose to fame on Tik Tok made it on the guest list over other worthy celebrities; “doja cat, taylor swift, olivia rodrigo out of all the people you could’ve chosen to invite to the met gala you choose addison rae?” one person tweeted. How these media stars rose to fame is highly scrutinized, where some look down upon garnered fame from a 15-second video, thus illuminating the divide between influencers and celebrities.

It is a common misconception that the life of an influencer is leisurely and full of selfies. Supporters argue that it is a full-time job to create content, engage followers and fulfill the requirements of sponsors. Content creation is a legitimate business where influencers are highly successful in branding their lives. This has transformed the way companies approach marketing. Although unconventional and untraditional, these ideals must change as technology and social media becomes even more prevalent in society. The attendance of social media stars at exclusive events is disputed yet ultimately, their inclusion allows for these events to carry forth into the next generation and keeps them relevant. Influencers are the celebrities of Gen Z and incorporating them into mainstream Hollywood events ensures that their legacies as renowned events will be sustained. It is up to the fans of Hollywood to make room for influencers. Are they simply another fad, or are they here to stay?