Fame used to offer some protection against mistakes, where a bad decision could remain private among a few people. This changed with smartphones, which allowed celebrities to communicate directly with fans, often leading to disastrous outcomes. Publicists exist to manage reputations because famous individuals, if left unchecked online, can share content that may harm their image irreparably. Posts can include tone-deaf remarks, unintentional admissions, poorly timed jokes, or unexpected revelations that audiences did not ask for and cannot forget. The internet has captured many of these moments and is ready to remind everyone of them.
One notable incident involved Hozier, who unintentionally shared a video featuring the “Handsome Squidward” filter on his public Instagram story instead of with his close friends. Kris Jenner and Gordon Ramsay faced scrutiny when followers noticed Jenner seemed to have photoshopped their images to promote her cookbook.
Celebrities often struggle with social media because fame disrupts the usual feedback mechanisms found in everyday life. In regular situations, people receive honest reactions to their statements. However, famous individuals are often surrounded by those whose jobs depend on maintaining a positive relationship with them, leading to a lack of straightforward feedback. This creates an environment where they may not hear sincere advice, allowing them to post confidently late at night without proper consideration.
Tom Holland faced backlash during an Instagram Live session when he revealed the Avengers: Infinity War poster, which was marked “Confidential. Do Not Share.” Harry Styles posted a picture wearing a One Direction T-shirt, quickly deleting it, but later joked about the situation at a concert.
The Streisand Effect illustrates how attempts to erase online content often lead to increased attention. This effect is named after Barbra Streisand, who tried to remove an aerial view of her home, which led to the image being viewed significantly more times after her legal action. This principle frequently applies to celebrities on social media. When a tweet is deleted, it is often screenshot and circulated, and apologies can create new issues.
Kj Apa mistakenly shared a playful video of himself in a bubble bath on his public story instead of a private one meant for close friends. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds posted similar images, but Lively edited shoes onto her feet in her version. Charlie Sheen once tweeted his phone number by accident.
When celebrities make significant mistakes online, their teams usually respond in a familiar pattern: they start with silence, gather information, and then issue a response.
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Source: Bored Panda, by Viktorija Strelciunaite