By Jennifer Todd
Think about our lives on social media. It’s not the same as being famous, but some similarities exist. Posting online is like signing a contract with everyone who follows you. You’re sharing parts of your life with an audience, letting people in on what you’re doing, wearing, and even how you’re feeling. Just like we look up to celebrities, people look at us, too, especially in college, where social media is a big part of staying connected.
But where’s the line? No one is perfect, yet we tend to hold people online to a different standard. We love seeing celebrities make us laugh, inspire us with fashion, or write us songs. But when they slip up, say or do something controversial, or post something we disagree with, suddenly, the love isn’t so unconditional.
It’s the same with our friends or classmates on social media. We might admire someone’s posts or online presence, but our perception can shift the minute they share something we don’t like. Social media makes it easy to judge and assume we know the whole story. We only see a small part of someone’s life. So, how much should we share, and how much should we judge? That’s the hard question in a world where so much of our identity is tied to what we put online.
Let’s take a look at some celebrity missteps and recovery to see what we can learn.
Zach Bryan: Throws Shade at Taylor Swift After Eagles’ Crushing Loss
Zach Bryan, a rising country music sensation, has quickly become a household name thanks to his raw, emotionally charged lyrics that have struck a chord with fans nationwide. His authenticity and unapologetic approach to songwriting have garnered him a dedicated following, but not without a fair share of controversy along the way. While his music resonates deeply with many, his personal life has also been a source of public scrutiny. One of the more well-known scandals involved his marriage to Rose Madden, a fellow Navy service member. The two married during their time in the military, but their relationship took a rocky turn when Zach reportedly sent Rose divorce papers while both were stationed away from each other, an act that stirred up a great deal of drama and became a focal point for gossip.
However, his latest scandal has truly set the internet ablaze and placed him squarely in the middle of an ongoing cultural feud. The controversy began after the Philadelphia Eagles’ devastating loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. When Zach posted a tweet that read, “Eagles > Chiefs… Kanye > Taylor.” While Zach explained that he was expressing his frustration as a passionate Eagles fan, his tweet quickly drew the wrath of Taylor Swift’s fans, known as “Swifties,” one of the most vocal and protective fanbases on the internet. The “Kanye > Taylor” portion of his message referenced the infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident, where Kanye West stormed the stage and interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, declaring that the award should have gone to Beyoncé.
Despite Zach’s claim that he didn’t realize the gravity of the feud between West and Swift, his tweet was seen as a direct insult to the pop star. It ignited a firestorm of criticism and backlash from Swift’s loyal followers, who took to social media to defend their idol. The tweet not only reignited a long-standing feud but also highlighted the precarious position of public figures like Zach, who must navigate the ever-present scrutiny that comes with fame in the digital age.
Zach responded with an apology saying, “for the record guys I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night, I was drunkenly comparing two records, and it came out wrong.”
From his response, we learned that sometimes it is best to be honest. He admitted to drinking too much in order to relate to his audience. Zach also acknowledged that the tweet was not what he meant to say. He was coming from more of a football standpoint because Swift dates Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
This response is an example of what the public wants to see which is honesty and understanding. This is a Do!
Although Zach handled this mistake well the public still doesn’t forgive him for a lot of his past controversies, like cheating on his wife and using foul language and tweets.
Sometimes, celebrities dig holes too big to climb out of.
Alix Earle: In Hot Water After Past Tweets of Racial Slurs Come to Light
Alix has taken the internet by storm in the past year. She is loveable, unique, and creative, which has made her a favorite in the public eye. She is our current “it” girl.
When someone is so popular and relatable, it is heartbreaking when they mess up, especially when it is not very often that they come out this way.
Old tweets from Alix Earle’s early high school and middle school years recently resurfaced, revealing her use of racist and offensive language. As these posts began circulating, fans and viewers expressed strong disappointment and anger, voicing that they were reluctant to continue supporting someone who had made such derogatory remarks, regardless of how long ago they were written.
Initially, Alix committed a major public relations misstep by staying silent. She continued to post content as usual, as if the controversy didn’t exist, adding fuel to the fire. Her followers quickly noticed the lack of acknowledgment, and frustration mounted in her comment section, which soon flooded with demands for an explanation and calls for accountability. As negative feedback swarmed her posts, Alix’s online reputation and platform began to take a serious hit, with her influence seemingly on the verge of crumbling under the weight of the scandal.
Under mounting pressure, Alix eventually broke her silence, releasing a formal apology. She expressed regret, acknowledging that her past tweets did not reflect her current values or who she is. She apologized for her decision to delay addressing the issue in her statement, recognizing that her initial silence had only made matters worse. She took accountability for her actions, explaining that she was committed to growth and ensuring her platform would be a positive and inclusive space moving forward. You can read her full apology here.
Since her apology, Alix has managed to rebuild her reputation, with many fans choosing to forgive and move on. Though the scandal left a mark, her transparency and apology seemed to resonate with her audience, who have since turned their attention to other controversies, allowing Alix to regain her footing in the world of social media.
APOLOGIZING TECHNIQUES THE PUBLIC DOES AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO:
It is not always easy to understand the intense backlash these people receive, but they did sign a contract with us in a way to put their life online and be uniquely themselves. In situations like these we must take what we can get.
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