The Era of Universal Celebrity
A new book by the hosts of Who? Weekly scrutinizes how social media democratized fame.
A recent Instagram post revealed a group of acquaintances who, despite not being recognized, boasted significant followings online. These "Whos"—a term coined by Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber to describe low-tier celebrities like influencers, reality stars, and podcasters—weren't the typical moneyed Millennials, but rather individuals who had monetized their online presence.
Their book, "I Want to Be Famous," explores how the internet transformed everyone into a "Who," blurring the line between celebrities and ordinary people. This shift has led to pressure on professionals in various fields to create and optimize their online brand, blurring the lines between work and personal life.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
