An influencer is a person or that influences another, typically regarding lifestyle habits, opinions, or beauty products. While the concept is often associated with the digital age, its roots can be traced back to ancient Rome, where gladiators endorsed products to the masses. However, it wasn’t until the 2010s that influencers became a cultural phenomenon, fueled by the rise of social media platforms. until the 2010s that influencers became a cultural phenomenon, fueled by the rise of social media platforms.Â
On Feb. 14, 2005, YouTube was founded, and just a few years later, individuals were being paid to post about their lives. You had beauty gurus like Jaclyn Hill or Michelle Phan, and family vloggers such as The Shaytards and Family Fun Pack. It seemed that everyone wanted to jump on the bandwagon of influencing. These creators made the lifestyle seem effortless, with no bosses and easier access to wealth. When TikTok was created, the dream became even more accessible to the masses.Â
According to a 2023 Morning Consult survey, 57% of Gen Zers “want to be influencers,” alongside 41% of adults, particularly now that many creators are becoming actors and appearing at events like the Oscars, either to host or walk the red carpets, either to host or walk the red carpet. Â
But, I am here to say that I think we don’t need any more, specifically within the world of Hollywood. Actually, I think we really do not need most of the influencers in L.A. Of course, there are exceptions, but why not give a movie role or interview to a candidate more qualified for the position, who could potentially increase the industry’s credibility? Â
Take Addison Rae, for example, who joined TikTok in 2019 and “amassed over 88 million followers on the app” not for acting, but for small, trending dances. In 2021, she starred in Netflix’s remake of the cult classic She’s All That, titled He’s All That. The film currently holds a 1.3 rating on Letterboxd, with reviews stating, “absolutely insane what being a pretty white girl who can vaguely dance on a app gets yah” (Molly). The user’s 1/2-star rating perfectly encapsulates the issue. Now, I’m sure the script did no favors, but a talented young actress with credibility or education could have easily made the role more attainable in my opinion. Â
Another prime example is Jake Shane, who ascended fame via TikTok. The influencer rapidly launched a podcast titled Therapuss, secured a guest appearance on HBO’s Hacks, and is currently developing a biographical series with Hulu. While I personally enjoy Shane’s podcast, the Hulu announcement was perplexing, especially given the recent backlash regarding his performance as a co-host for the Vanity Fair Oscars Party red carpet.Â
On March 15, Shane interviewed Julia Fox, who was praising the Oscar-nominated film If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You. Fox—a single mother herself—remarked on how the film poignantly illustrated “every mother’s story”. Shane abruptly interjected, “Wasn’t the kid annoying?”—a dismissal that completely undermined the film’s gravity. The narrative depicts a mother’s (Rose Byrne) psychological unraveling as she navigates her daughter’s terminal illness in isolation. Fox reacted to his comment in the interview, stating:Â
“It’s not that it’s the mother’s fault or the child’s fault. It’s society’s fault—it sets mothers up to fail, you know? Even the fact that school lets out at 3:00, but most jobs are done at 5:00 or 6:00. Like, all those little things are so positioned, and are not conducive to mothering.”Â
This encounter perfectly illustrates why I believe influencers should be vetted before being integrated into the film industry. Placing creators in these spaces when they lack a fundamental understanding of the medium—or ignorantly comment on films without research—only serves to diminish Hollywood’s legitimacy. Â
One last example is Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot, a reimagining of the original 1990s series. In 2026, reboots don’t tend to have a long shelf life. Most air for only one or two seasons—or, like Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy reboot, they don’t even make it past the pilot. The new series recently cast Pretty Little Liars alum Shay Mitchell alongside influencers Noah Beck, Livvy Dunne, and Brooks Nader. Aside from Mitchell, the trio of creators has minimal acting experience: Beck is a TikToker, Dunne is a gymnast, and Nader is a reality TV star. In my opinion, the reboot is destined to fail. Many online have voiced similar skepticism, with users stating, “Hollywood ran out of ideas… just put influencers in red swimsuits.” Another individual added, “I really can’t stress how bad this script must be to cast so many influencers.”Â
Ultimately, the transition of influencers to Hollywood feels less like a natural evolution of talent and more like a desperate grab for engagement. From low-rated films to uninspired reboots, Hollywood should, in my opinion, start prioritizing craft over a quick payout.