The enigmatic allure of social media personalities: Unraveling the puzzling realm of influencers
Influencers, the digital-era personalities akin to traditional celebrities, have made their way into the literary world, particularly in crime and thriller genres. This shift reflects the timely and captivating allure of influencer culture, as well as providing fertile ground for satire and social commentary.
Liann Zhang, author of "Julie Chan is Dead," shares her insights into why influencers have become a popular subject in crime fiction. As a former skincare influencer herself, she offers firsthand experience into the industry's intricacies.
Being an influencer has its financial perks, with potential earnings equaling or even surpassing a week's salary from a traditional job. However, this financial incentive can encourage creators, including young and inexperienced influencers like Zhang, to curate their truth, resulting in questionable practices.
Brands often exert influence by providing words for influencers to use in their captions, making it difficult to refuse their financial enticements. Conversely, negative reviews can lead to being dropped from PR lists, creating an environment where honest content can be scarce.
Zhang's time as an influencer helped her witness and understand the industry's darker aspects, setting her on a path to writing. She saw an opportunity to explore the mysteries and lies behind influencers' carefully crafted personas, drawing parallels with the traditional celebrity's glamorous on-screen image and secretive off-screen life.
This juxtaposition between public persona and private life, coupled with the potential for psychological manipulation and societal commentary, gives the world of influencers a rich narrative potential for modern authors. The blend of reality and fiction, along with the quest to unveil influencers' true selves, can create thrilling suspense and mystery.
There may also be a hint of schadenfreude in readers' fascination, as they watch enviable yet often criticized influencer characters grapple with their downfalls in crime fiction.
Sources:[1] McLemore, A.-M. (2021). The Influencers. HarperTeen.[2] Q. Sutanto, J. (2021). You Will Never Be Me. Berkley.[3] Zhang, L. (2022). Julie Chan is Dead. Atria Books.[4] Online sources reviewing the relationship between influencers and the thriller genre.
- Liann Zhang's book, "Julie Chan is Dead," draws from her experience as a former skincare influencer, offering a unique perspective on the intricacies and darker aspects of the fashion-and-beauty influencer industry.
- The blending of reality and fiction in crime fiction allows modern authors to explore the suspenseful and mysterious world of influencers, shedding light on the juxtaposition between their public lifestyles and private lives.
- The literary world, particularly in the crime and thriller genres, has seen a surge in influencer-centric stories, reflecting a growing interest in the lurid allure and questionable practices within the entertainment and lifestyle sphere.
