Our #PopChat discussion this week talked about Perez Hilton, tabloid culture, brand rivalries, fan criticism, tattoos, and reboots.
All questions were based on these pop culture highlights:
- Perez Hilton vs. the Fan Armies
- Christina Aguilera is ‘READY’ for 40
- Lizzo Slams Critics Who Say She’s ‘Promoting Diet Culture’ with Her 10-Day Smoothie Cleanse
- ‘Palmer’ Trailer Starring Justin Timberlake, Reluctant Daddy
- Pete Davidson Says He’s Removing His Tattoos
- ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Revival Not Moving Forward to Disney Plus
#PopChat Questions
Everyone who participates in #PopChat is just brilliant! Below, I’ve compiled a few answers to each question. To view the full chat, check out this Twitter moment!
Q1: Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was banned from TikTok after posting negative comments on videos from Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, etc. Many young users petitioned to remove him. Are we becoming less tolerant of toxicity on social media? Why or why not?
A1: Users are better at calling out bullying, which is great, but there is still a long way to go. #PopChat
— Kristine 🦄 (@kristineiza) December 18, 2020
A1: More recognition of how bullying works online and understanding how it can lead to serious real world impacts. It’s nice to see the platforms at least trying to help curb some of it.#PopChat
— Dakota Snow ☃️ (@DaksAhoy) December 18, 2020
A1: I’ve heard of this but don’t know the full story.
While we do need less toxicity on social media, people are becoming less open to constructive criticism on social media.#PopChat
— Gaëlle Siourakan (@GSiourakan) December 18, 2020
Q2: How has social media changed tabloid culture and celebrity gossip?
A2: I think it involves the public so much more. Fans are getting involved in spreading and speculating on gossip, making tabloids less relevant but celeb gossip that much more of a mess. #PopChat
— Kelsey Christine Anderson (@brandsnboybands) December 18, 2020
A2: The speed in which it can be released now has changed the way we’re able to talk about it. You can get multiple outlets sharing the same news from differing perspectives, people can share their own stories if it’s related, and the celebrities can address it directly. #PopChat
— Jesse Denney (@inb4denn) December 18, 2020
A2: I see more intensity.
Anyone, with any motive, can create any gossip (real or imaginary) and cause quite a negative campaign of misinformation or private information sharing.
It’s so bad many celebs have removed themselves from social and public life altogether.#PopChat pic.twitter.com/KaXLU6cGVE
— JZ 💛 Jake Zachariah (@jzjakez) December 18, 2020
Q3: Christina Aguilera turns 40 today! Yet she is still often compared to Britney Spears. How can people or brands overcome constant comparison and build their own loyal audiences?
A3: Make sure you’re not starting off trying to sell yourself as “The ____ of ____” because it’s going to be hard to shake that.
Find a unique intersection of topics or interests you can carve out your own space in, and play in that sandbox. #PopChat
— Joe Ray (@joeray119) December 18, 2020
A3: It’s hard to reinvent the wheel. The way to stand out now is by showing up for your community.
Have a very specific audience in mind you’re trying to reach and do whatever you can to cater to their needs in a way that’s authentic to your values.#PopChat
— nis like nice 🇫🇷 (@EuniceCancino) December 18, 2020
A3: Comparison can actually be very helpful when it comes to brands, especially for startups.
It’s how you then differentiate that makes all the difference.
For instance remember the mac vs PC ads with Justin Long? https://t.co/wmgT6xt65S#PopChat
— social allie (@social_allie) December 18, 2020
Q4: After music artist Lizzo posted videos about a juice cleanse, fans accused her of buying into diet culture and no longer promoting body positivity. When does a fan or customer’s feedback cross a line?
A4: did you see her comeback to it? She’s a queen! But yeah I feel like we need to stop putting celebs on a pedestal, they’re allowed to be human, make mistakes and grow. #popchat pic.twitter.com/TBwU8j8n39
— Jessie Marvell (@jaysica) December 18, 2020
A4. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but when you lean into one point of view as heavily as Lizzo has, if you flip a switch, you have to expect some backlash. #PopChat
— Azad Yakatally (@AYakatally) December 18, 2020
A4: there’s a difference between a fan and customer. Customers are well within their right to dictate the direction of the brand
Fans take it too far when their try to force their perception of a celebrity to try to influence their choices#PopChat
— Ali (@notrealali1) December 18, 2020
Q5: A new movie trailer for ‘Palmer’ starring Justin Timberlake was just released. Who is another celebrity who successfully pivoted to acting? What makes or breaks this transition?
A5
Marky Mark
Queen Latifah
Cher
J. Lo
Mandy Moore
Harry Connick Jr.#PopChat— Jason W. Rocco (@JasonWRocco) December 18, 2020
A5: The one that I always think is pretty unique is Ken Jeong. Dude was a doctor, turned stand up comedian, turned actor.
What an odd and fascinating career transition! #PopChat
— Keith 🇨🇭 (@SumoFondue) December 18, 2020
A5: Lots of Hollywood examples, but Aishwarya Rai is a great example of a model to film actress transition. Incredibly successful. I’m sure there’s even better examples to add too, but this is all my brain vault’s pulling right now. 😂 #PopChat
— prakruti (she/her) (@pvnaden) December 18, 2020
Q6: Comedian Pete Davidson is supposedly having all of his tattoos removed. Do you consider tattoos part of someone’s personal brand? Why or why not?
A6: Permanence. A tattoo is 1000% part of your personal brand as it will long be associated with you.
I mean just look at Post Malone with no Tattoos and a haircut. Weird right?#popchat pic.twitter.com/U6AKnkZurD
— Dakota Snow ☃️ (@DaksAhoy) December 18, 2020
A6.
It is or it isn’t; depends on how you’ve decided to play it.
I could remove my tats and nobody would notice. @MadalynSklar , people would notice.
I think it is a part of Pete’s brand, though, and I’m surprised he would do that.#PopChat— Christine Gritmon #ChatAboutBrand ❤️ (@cgritmon) December 18, 2020
A6: I don’t want to assume, but I also know he’s struggled with his mental health and other things in his past. He may see them as a reflection of that period and not want to carry them forward into a new chapter. Like a rebrand but very physical lol. #PopChat
— Claire Kennedy she/hers (@claireakennedy_) December 18, 2020
Q7: After much anticipation, disappointed Lizzie McGuire fans learned a reboot isn’t happening after all. How should brands handle it when they overpromise and underdeliver?
A7: I appreciate honesty about why it’s happening and expressing their disappointment too. Obviously a lot goes on behind the scenes but address the collective disappointment. #PopChat
— Stephanie Brint (@StephanieBrint) December 18, 2020
A7. Own up to the over promise and remedy it with something that can come in second place.
Whether if it’s a message/shout out from Hillary herself, or a live chat with the cast.
At least with that, you delivered something. #PopChat pic.twitter.com/fC7YcUaULh
— Angelo Jasa-Phillips (@angelojasa) December 18, 2020
A7: I thought this was confirmed canceled awhile ago? Anyway, I think @HilaryDuff did a great job explaining and apologizing to fans. I think it’s important to be transparent in these situations #PopChat
— Alexis Whitted (@alexis_whitted) December 18, 2020
Did you miss out on #PopChat this week? Join us every Friday at 1 p.m. ET! Follow me on Twitter at @brianne2k.
