Since its beginning in 1948, the Met Gala has been regarded as a highly exclusive fashion event. However, over the past few years, more internet influencers have been invited, sparking the controversy of whether or not influencers should be considered celebrities.Â
So what really is the difference between influencers and celebrities? Is there a difference? Well, both groups of people have massive followings but celebrities have gained those followings through achievements and talent. Let’s face it, no one is going to be a fan of a bad actor or musician. Influencers, on the other hand, have gained their following through internet engagement, they’re like a more personal celebrity. Let’s take Emma Chamberlain for example. As she rose to fame around 2018, she did so by posting personal vlogs where you really felt like you were just spending the day with your friend. When successful influencers start out, they aren’t on that same pedestal celebrities are, they’re just posting, like all of us do. The fact that we are able to relate to influencers is what makes us fans of them.
On the flip side, people tend to be obsessed with celebrity culture or events such as the Met Gala because realistically, we know that kind of life isn’t attainable. We’re mesmerized imagining what we probably can’t have. (I say probably because who knows, maybe you are going to become the next Taylor Swift). Celebrity culture doesn’t feel real to us which is why we are so intrigued. It’s like watching a fantasy TV show, that lifestyle feels so made up that it has become entertainment for us. Influencer culture on the other hand is real. We’re attached to both forms of content for different reasons.
In my personal opinion, there are several similarities between the two but celebrities have that something extra. They’re good at music or acting but influencers just have the internet. Becoming an influencer feels like it could happen to anyone but again, being a celebrity has that mystery and unattainable feeling that draws us in.Â
Celebrities can be influencers but influencers need to work pretty damn hard to be considered a celebrity. We’ve all heard… mixed reviews on Dixie D’Amelio’s music or Addison Rae’s acting in “He’s All That” so it’s pretty clear that once you’re an influencer, you’re stuck being known for Youtube or TikTok. However, celebrities are able to join these social media apps without being known as “the girl from TikTok”. Could you imagine referring to Selena Gomez as “that girl from Instagram”? Probably not.Â
The moral of the story is, there are so many similarities between influencers and celebrities. Both are able to have massive followings and create some form of content but personally, I don’t think influencers are celebrities. Celebrities are able to become influencers but the biggest difference, celebrities will still have a job if social media were to shut down, and I don’t think I could say the same for these internet personalities.