From silent films to flat screens and ever-increasing social media platforms, how celebrities enter the public eye has changed over time. The Roaring Twenties danced with Charlie Chaplin, the 1950s Rock’n Rolled with Marilyn Monroe, and the 1980s MTV era rocked with Michael Jackson and Madonna.
This phenomenon of “global stardom” was rare before the internet and social media. Decades ago, finding the next M.J. or the next Prince was like finding a needle in a haystack. But today, stars are discovered everywhere. Many careers are jump-started thanks to TV and cinema, politics, and, most visibly, social media.
The critically acclaimed TV show Heated Rivalry rose to popularity this year on the streaming platform HBO Max, highlighting this “overnight stardom” phenomenon. The pop culture hit about two professional hockey players navigating a relationship, despite facing numerous obstacles, gained worldwide recognition. According to Variety Magazine, Heated Rivalry has averaged 10.6 million viewers per episode in the U.S., with viewership up 100%.
“Looking at the chemistry between [the two main characters], it seemed so real that the audience could connect with them,” said junior Jaelyn Tynes. “Reaching sensitive, same-sex topics, but having an actor like Hudson Williams to truly show [his character’s] emotion in front of a camera was so well done. Especially having an actor with little to no background, it’s like seeing a fresh face, and that’s what the people want to see.”
Much of Gen Z agrees that formal experience is no longer the deciding factor in one’s success, but rather their relatability and authenticity. In the past, becoming famous meant going through countless days of searching for agents and years of rejection. But now, teens say that all you need are viral clips, social media buzz, and a fandom for others to “join the hype.”
“A good personality is enough,” said Tynes. “Finding these ‘hidden gems’ would make people dig deep into other actors, how they interact, and how well they perform. Using someone with a well-rounded personality is key to making a person great and successful.”
Junior Jolianne Dulce agrees. Social media amplifies the popularity, presenting the next “big thing” to other viewers.
“TikTok is definitely the platform to go viral on,” said Dulce. “I recently posted a video that got 30k likes, despite averaging about 100 likes on all of my other videos. With the abundance of apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the rising popularity of short-form content, it is extremely easy to become famous.”
We are in an era of instant fame, but today’s viral sensations can transform into tomorrow’s outdated relics.
“In my opinion, overnight fame only lasts for a short period of time, because the next big thing will make people forget about it,” said sophomore Audrey Koepp.
With face becoming so easily accessible, many individuals rise to popularity unexpectedly, later realizing that they were unprepared for the long-term consequences of the public eye.
“[Because of someone like] Chappell Roan’s rise to fame being rushed in so suddenly, she wasn’t left with enough time to really prepare herself for what came along with fame. That sudden spur of popularity forces celebrities to face it head on,” said junior Adriane Bethune. “The high demands, idolization, constant judgment, parasocial relationships, and all the other negatives can take a toll on them; it’s only then that they realize that constantly being forced to be in the public eye is a lot more exhausting than they thought it’d be.”
While stardom may appear effortless, the pressure to maintain relevance in today’s digitized culture raises a big question: Is fame now as fleeting as it once was inaccessible?
