I have to wonder if being an anti-influencer is less about integrity vs. wanting to be a new type of influencer. The Trend Report piece you linked cites Charli D'Amelio as an example of how non-influential TikTok's so-called influencers are in terms of actually having a committed fanbase. If that is the case, then it makes sense that fewer and fewer would want to follow in her and her ilk's footsteps. Yes, you may make a lot of money, but you'll also be intensely hated, your every move scrutinized, and you'll quickly be washed up but also too famous to ever live normally again.
With Hollywood, it's also at a severe low point with the Oscars more of a joke than ever and once invincible studios like Disney having historically catastrophic years. And that's before we get into all the sexual crime stuff. You said that in your 14 years of doing stand-up, you never would've risked getting blacklisted. But Hollywood also meant something more in the past and there weren't as many alternatives.
I'm thinking of that little wave of IG influencers about 5ish years ago that all said they were walking away from how fake the influencer lifestyle was. But it seemed more like a brand reset at the time because the whole IG influencer aesthetic was getting stale. In the end, the relentless pursuit of online popularity did not change. Only the method did.
I suppose...certainly if more of them go the subscription route. Like most "anti" s btw, anti-
influencers are another type of influencer. Anti art, anti hero, anti comedy, etc. But the paradigm shift is so radical (burning bridges with Hollywood AND major sponsors for your unpopular beliefs) that the "anti" is warranted.
“Satan is a great electrical engineer ...” - MM
I have to wonder if being an anti-influencer is less about integrity vs. wanting to be a new type of influencer. The Trend Report piece you linked cites Charli D'Amelio as an example of how non-influential TikTok's so-called influencers are in terms of actually having a committed fanbase. If that is the case, then it makes sense that fewer and fewer would want to follow in her and her ilk's footsteps. Yes, you may make a lot of money, but you'll also be intensely hated, your every move scrutinized, and you'll quickly be washed up but also too famous to ever live normally again.
With Hollywood, it's also at a severe low point with the Oscars more of a joke than ever and once invincible studios like Disney having historically catastrophic years. And that's before we get into all the sexual crime stuff. You said that in your 14 years of doing stand-up, you never would've risked getting blacklisted. But Hollywood also meant something more in the past and there weren't as many alternatives.
I'm thinking of that little wave of IG influencers about 5ish years ago that all said they were walking away from how fake the influencer lifestyle was. But it seemed more like a brand reset at the time because the whole IG influencer aesthetic was getting stale. In the end, the relentless pursuit of online popularity did not change. Only the method did.
I suppose...certainly if more of them go the subscription route. Like most "anti" s btw, anti-
influencers are another type of influencer. Anti art, anti hero, anti comedy, etc. But the paradigm shift is so radical (burning bridges with Hollywood AND major sponsors for your unpopular beliefs) that the "anti" is warranted.