Celebrities, Social Distancing, and the Internet
Okay, so that “Imagine” cover led by Gal Gadot on social media wasn’t the easiest viral video to swallow, but I also think that many of us are forgetting something. We’ve accepted to be a part of the daily happenings of these people, and yet many followers complain when these figures do what they want in their own personal spaces. Plus, as strange as that “Imagine” video may have been (you can look it up yourself if you’re so inclined), any form of “entitlement” commentary is an attachment created by those that scorn the creation of the video (I can only imagine it would be labeled in a different way if the video was something the majority of people liked). As much as it was a statement for many, it seemed mostly something that celebrity friends were doing to get by. I’d argue many of us have found our own at-home, online oddities amongst friends to make the most of this terrible situation. It’s easier to find some self-dictated implications of privilege and entitlement if you try to find it in something that’s as harmless as it is arguably goofy (unintentionally, of course). In the same way that we’re mostly hearing about the famous figures that are contracting COVID-19 (and, unfortunately, passing away from the virus), we’re hearing about their many attempts to cure their social distancing boredom.
We can attack these efforts if we so choose, but we could be in this for a long haul. I think we should start finding the neat aspects of these videos, especially if these are celebrities you are following (I dare ask why bother following an account of someone if they annoy you. Is it just because they are famous? You may have to start reevaluating your social media decisions). If you want to avoid these stories and videos, then that is absolutely your prerogative. I think there is something that many decades of audiences — created by fan magazines, studio promotions and red carpets — would be champing at the bit to have: a look at how these celebrities wish to actually present themselves, and not just the illusions created by tabloids, photoshoots, and advertisements. Talk shows and magazines have done something similar as an effort to stay afloat during the transition into the digital age: the creation of viral videos. There are segments, games, and a variety of activities that celebrities partake in during their press rounds that accumulate millions of hits online. It’s a means of getting familiar with the human sides of those we are fans of, so it isn’t the guiltiest trick these outlets are pulling.
Jimmy Fallon hosting The Tonight Show from home.
You can absolutely be into a medium — film, television, writing, music — without wanting to take part in all of the social media networking that is now imperative for many artists to continue their presences, and I can completely see why, especially if you’re a fan of the art and not necessarily the lives of those taking part. You don’t have to follow these accounts. However, you can’t stop a viral video from popping up in your newsfeed if it’s popular enough, and that’s just unavoidable. Now isn’t exactly the time to be telling people to stay off social media either, since we have been limited of many of our means of the human experience with the mandatory self quarantining and social distancing. You have every reason to gripe in this case. You can do what most of us do and just shrug it off as much as possible (yes, each and every single retweet, repost, share, or copy).
If not, you can absolutely find something likeable right now during this dismal time. There are familiar faces teaching you how to cook, learning new instruments, reading you their favourite stories, and partaking in many other different daily activities. Miley Cyrus is doing hourly interviews, for instance (in line with the migration that various talk shows, radio or televised, have had to make), as one example. Other celebrities are teaching followers various things (Florence Pugh is particularly fond of showing cooking tutorials, as she always has been). As annoying as a lot of this can be in a sad time, there is also positivity to be found here, and not just the easiness of writing anything off as irritating.
Florence Pugh making her own marmalade from scratch on Instagram.
Sure, not every video will be a success, and it can be very easy to mock these cringe worthy examples. However, these are still attempts, in a time that none of us really know what to do. Hell, I wrote an entire article about this, because I don’t want to exhaust film lists in a time where I can’t do reviews or report on any film related news (that isn’t the same old thing: productions being put on hold, and releases being postponed). It’s simple to point fingers when we’re all in distress, especially when you are likely in a worse position than these celebrities that are singing a song together. I’m sure there will be other misfires to come as the quarantine goes on. However, these are still efforts, just in the same ways that we are all trying our own thing to lighten up these dark times. This may not be your thing, and it doesn’t have to be. Whatever works for you right now is what’s best. These are what are helping these famous faces. It’s a reminder that they’re just human as well. It’s something we’ve been striving for in the previous decades of lying tabloids and touched up promotional advertisements. The results may be fun, and they may be disastrous. I find that a little warming during this time. None of us know what we’re doing, and that’s okay, as long as we’re safe. We can get through this, digital blemishes and fantastic revelations alike.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.