Each year, the Met Gala dazzles the world with its extravagant display of fashion and celebrity culture, but this year's event stirred up more than just admiration. As Hollywood's elite graced the red carpet, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside, urging attendees to acknowledge the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Now, the fallout from the event has spilled over onto social media, with users leveraging digital campaigns to hold celebrities accountable for their silence on pressing issues.
Why the Outrage?
While the Met Gala is typically celebrated for its stunning fashion statements, this year's event drew criticism for its ostentatious display of wealth amidst the backdrop of the Israeli war in Gaza. Social media platforms buzzed with commentary, with many users expressing their discontent over the disconnect between the glamorous affair and the grim realities of the world.
In the aftermath of the Met Gala, digital campaigns gained traction, urging users to boycott celebrities on social media platforms. Marcus Collins, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan, noted the significance of the event in sparking these campaigns, citing the juxtaposition between the gala and the conflict in Gaza as a catalyst for social mobilization.
#Blockout2024 Movement
One prominent campaign to emerge from the backlash is #Blockout2024, spearheaded by TikToker @BlockOut2024. In a viral video, he called on users to block celebrities on social media, effectively cutting off their revenue streams from ad engagement. The movement gained momentum as users shared their own lists of blocked celebrities using hashtags such as #blockout, #digitine, and #celebrityblock.
Marie Antoinette and the Digital Guillotine Another viral moment that fueled the backlash occurred when TikToker Haley Kalil posted a video using the infamous phrase "Let them eat cake," attributed to Marie Antoinette. Dubbed the "digitize" by TikToker @LadyFromTheOutside, this digital guillotine symbolizes a call to action to block celebrities and influencers who fail to leverage their platforms for social good.
Who's on the Chopping Block?
Social media users have targeted a wide range of celebrities, including household names like Harry Styles, Jojo Siwa, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kylie Jenner. The campaign continues to evolve as users share their decisions to block specific stars daily.
Impact on Celebrities While the full extent of the backlash remains to be seen, celebrities have reportedly experienced a significant loss in followers as a result of the #Blockout2024 movement. Although the immediate impact on their online presence is unclear, the campaign has raised awareness about the power of social media users to hold influencers and celebrities accountable for their actions—or lack thereof.
As social media continues to shape public discourse and influence cultural narratives, the Met Gala controversy serves as a reminder of the platform's potential to amplify voices and catalyze meaningful change. Whether this digital activism translates into tangible consequences for celebrities remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the era of passive consumption is giving way to a new age of social accountability.
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