Portia finds out how the internet is changing Celeb culture as we know it…

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The internet, I know it has probably been talked about way too much but, it has changed our lives forever. It has given the general public more power to be engaged and an opportunity to open new paths for individuals. Social networking is a powerful tool, with Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram leading the online space. Social networking platforms allow users to communicate with their friends, as well as make new friends where they can share their most desired topics through photos, videos and written words.
Social networking sites have changed the way we interact with celebrities. Instead of just being a fan writing letters to the celebs you so dearly love, you can now post a Tweet on Twitter directly to them. You can reference a celebrity in a tweet by using the ‘@’ this gives you a direct form of communication for not just yourself but the world to see.

Social Networking sites such as Twitter have even created new types of celebrities, in the process changing what it means to be a celebrity and creating new demands…

Originally, back in the day a celebrity was someone who was deemed to be a hero. For example, people use to idolize Hercules the son of Zeus, a man known for being a powerful God and for his heroic actions. However, now a lot of celebrities are created through Social Media sites for limitless reasons. You have celebrities like Jack Jones, who is well known on Social Media platforms like YouTube and Vine for his practical jokes.  The average celebrity is transforming from being an exclusive star that you would rarely have the chance to meet, to a normal celebrity with an everyday lifestyle. For example fashion and beauty Vlogger Zoella, who gives you advice and tips online.

So, in other words the Internet has expanded and given more opportunity for you to become a celebrity for different reasons rather than just being a well-known singer or actor/actress. Social media is creating a demand for new forms of current celebrities that will entertain you and teach what is relevant to you.

The internet is such a powerful tool allowing everyone to stay connected and has even created a new type of celebrity.

One begins to question, what control does a celebrity have?

Celebrities are constantly under pressure and careful eye watch. We as users become the reporters, we have on going hand held internet access with smartphones, meaning we can easily take photos and upload online within seconds and still keep up to date with what is a hot topic online. In addition, this easy and direct access on social media can be both a positive and negative thing for celebrities, for example I am able Tweet about the latest Justin Bieber concert and say how disappointed I was with the show he put on and @ him on Twitter. In doing so my post allows anyone and everyone to see, which could impact on his career negatively because other people may choose to comment and share how they felt on the concert as well. Alternatively, I can make a tweet that I had a fantastic time at the concert and upload a picture with myself and Justin then @ him on Twitter. This could have a positive effect for his career showing people on social networks that he is really nice guy not just a rebellious teen. Social media has meant it has become easier to proactively share current hot topics but also comment on them too.

Furthermore, a social network creates a higher demand for celebrities to stay in the lime light. It is no longer merely just about getting a photo snapped of you at home with the family and short story about what’s happening in your life in the Heat magazine. Fans and users are demanding more insight to what a celebrity is doing every day (even including what they had for lunch) People want to feel they are getting the exclusive information about their favourite celebrities and social network platforms can create that link.

Which brings me to the following point: social networks will continue to expand and push the boundaries of celebrities’ privacy, demanding for exclusive insight into their lives online. WHY? You ask… because technologies will continue to grow, which will decrease privacy because we as users are eager to feel connected and on top of the latest trends.

To find out more on how social media has changed celebrity culture read:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/celebrity-social-media-anger/