Through the lenses of social media, fame has changed in perspective and definition. Not only is it now unnecessary to star in an Oscar-winning film to hit stardom, but a 10-second video can spark a fan base and launch one into Internet fame.
With the help of social media outlets such as Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube , many users have received a glimpse of stardom similar to those on the red carpet. Through viral video moments like “back at it again with the white vans” or “Dr. Phil” viral sensation Danielle Bregoli’s “catch me outside how bow dah,” unlikely individuals go viral.
Madison Fries, freshman criminal justice major, said through the power of social media, fame has become much more tangible.
“It has made a huge difference within our society because that is what everyone wants. They try to be what society wants on social media,” Fries said. “Anyone can post something funny and blow up social media.”
Rachelle Randle, a local 46-year-old labor and delivery nurse, has recently joined the growing list of viral videos. About two weeks after her 18-year-old son posted one of her Snapchat videos on his Twitter account, the video has quickly grown in popularity and now has more than 11 million views on Twitter.
“I didn’t think it would go viral. It just went in one ear and out the other,” Randle said. “But when I woke up the next morning, that’s when my son told me that my video was going crazy, and for that split-second I thought, ‘Wow, what if Ellen calls me?’”
Randle’s presence on social media has changed since the viral video. She received a crash-course on Snapchat from her children, and has since gained followers on the social media outlet by the thousands.
With her professional life unlikely to take a pause, Randle has not been able to enjoy her moments of fame. As a labor and deliver nurse, weeks consist of at least 40 hours in the hospital. However, it was while at work that Randle experienced her first spotlight moment.
“One of my patients noticed me, and she was acting like she was in the room with Beyoncé,” Randle said.
Despite her growth in popularity, Randle is mainly grateful that through this experience the connection with her children has grown immensely.
“They were proud of their mom, and they were posting me on their pages … and it made me feel special and close with them,” Randle said.
Whether the spotlight shines brightly or simply grazes our sights, fame is something that has become more attainable by anyone at any given time due to the immediate access to media