Social Media and the Mirror
by Wilna Vargas Gonzalez, Class of 2026

On March 6 2023 there was a kerfuffle between actor and singer Selena Gomez and influencer Hailey Bieber, wife of the famous singer Justin Bieber. The internet is going crazy about the theory that Hailey Bieber is insecure and jealous of Gomez  as she was the first woman in Justin's life. People have transformed this petty gossip into apocalyptic matters and began taking sides.  Social media addicts became enmeshed in this nonsense that they forgot about their own nonsense. Sure, in this case, the The Gomez/Bieber Fight of the Century was entertaining, but it also cooked up obsession and fixation. You know. More nonsense. 

Society, particularly teens, pay so much attention to social media celebrity culture that it gets to the point where celebs become Pied Pipers, and their fans follow in lockstep. Or goosestep. Influencers are real, and their followers can buy the same shoes they recommend or even get an eating disorder from drinking nothing but black coffee, bone broth, and IV vitamin treatments. On a daily basis girls change their bodies, their styles, and even personalities, regardless if these changes cause them more insecurities or health problems. But Kylie Jenner did it, so why shouldn't we? Right?  The fans get body dysmorphia, and Kylie gets a check. 

How is economics involved in all of this? People love to criticize celebrities. While a girl may think she is affecting a model emotionally by hating on her, this model is actually getting recognition, which means she's getting paid. People tend to take sides every time there is a controversy between two famous people and try to defend their favorite one by hating on the other.

They are celebrities. They are shells of people hiding in their public personae. Why do real people feel the need to take sides in such matters? 

Rumors of the famous Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny dating famous model Kendall Jenner went viral, and the fandom is not happy. *ouch* The internet decided to hate on the Kardashian by saying how he deserves better and calling her out on all the bad things she has done just because they don't approve of this relationship. While people make these videos, podcasts and interviews talking about the situation, these two recognize famous people are making a profit out of it. 

Remember, it isn't a celebrities job to be liked. Their job is to stay famous and on the tips of all tongues. 

The problem with fame, particularly in the United States, is that fans think they know their idols personally. Famous artist Kanye West has made many bad decisions and the public doesn't seem to care because it's trending. They're on board the train.

He's cool, right?