SELFHOOD On … Fame.
A whole generation of young people are experiencing fame - and all that comes with it - in a way that no previous generation has had to experience it before.
Social media, reality TV and Netflix blockbusters can turn budding actors, musicians and artists into major celebrities overnight. What’s more, their lives and personalities are subjected to constant, real-time scrutiny that can make dealing with fame incredibly difficult - especially for those not seeking it.
So can you ever truly be well-known for your vocation but remain well out of the limelight?
We had a conversation with Norweigan actress Billie Barker, from the SELFHOOD collective, about her take on fame and living life in the public eye.
Billie, 22, stars in Series 2 of the Netflix programme, ‘Ragnarok’. In our chat, she expressed her feelings of fear and anxiety around the release of the show. For her, this public prominence is a double edged sword.
She explained that on one hand, the exposure that comes from being in a major show fuels career growth and can lead to being considered for more acting roles.
But on the other hand, dealing with online strangers who suddenly feel enabled to come up with their own theories on everything from your beliefs to your love life to your diet can be hard - especially for someone at the beginning of their career. She says there is now a strong cultural belief that celebrities are the public's possession; a sense that we are entitled to be part of the lives behind the screens of actors, musicians and celebrities.
Another fear is how her social media activity might be seen in the future, having seen others’ tweets, videos, comments and posts being misconstrued and taken out of context by the media at a later point in life. This is of course a huge worry for many people who are finding fame young - social media is seen as something that can make but then later break their careers.
Billie does not want to be an influencer but she does have aspirations to become a successful actress worldwide - a dichotomy that many young, talented people will be familiar with. Inevitably her story will inspire many to follow her career path, surely making her an influencer (of sorts).
The comments that were posted under the video highlighted the concerns talented young people all over the world have about following their dream career path in a time when we’re being forced to live more of our life online than ever before.
Meeow.daee: @billiebb if u don’t like “exposition“ why u r an actor, and why act in teens TV series? If u dont like fanfic, fansites, fanedits ?
Lurifakss: @meeow.daee it is not always about fame. Some actors do this solely because acting in itself is their passion. Fame isn’t necessarily part of that dream. MANY actors are actually quite private people ;)
Meeow.daee: @lurifakss Hey darling :). yes I know, and I totally respect Billie’s decision, I understand and agree that you have this separation. I'm an actress too, I'm going to college, and I'm really shy. The only thing I found strange is that if she bothers fans making edits, fanclubs etc. Do not enter into a bonbada adolescent series even more being the protagonist's romantic pair.
Lurifakss: @meeow.daee i understand where you are coming from, but again, as an actor you can't pick and choose the jobs you want - you take what you get to do what you love! I don't think she hates the fans, I think she is scared or the plausible opinions people might make about her, without even knowing her- which i really feel for. Imagine 10,000 people having something to say about you without ever having spoken a word with you! Super scary!
Justalilnumb: @lurifakss I know I'm late but I super agree with your statement!!