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16 Authentic Encounters: Influencers’ Work Ethic Fades When Cellphone Cameras Stop Rolling

An influencer’s role frequently entails crafting a distinct “persona” for the camera, which may not always align with their off-camera demeanor. A recent Reddit post inquired about individuals’ experiences with influencers, garnering responses from those who have interacted with or are connected to influencers.

Listed below are 17 intriguing responses:

During a family gathering, my distant cousins, who run a YouTube family channel, displayed arrogance by instructing other children, “I’m only here because my mom insists I be nice to our fans.”

The brother of my closest friend is the DermDoctor (Dr. Shah) on TikTok, boasting around 18 million followers. Despite his online persona, I find him to be a genuinely kind and soft-spoken individual in real life.

A personal anecdote involves a travel blogger friend who filmed our outing without consent to later post on YouTube. Upon my request for exclusion, tensions arose, leading to the video’s removal and the deterioration of our friendship.

The observation was made that influencers can be somewhat insincere, maintaining a constant ‘performance mode’ for social media, with interactions often feeling contrived solely for the camera.

In my experience working alongside influencers, particularly a Twitch personality turned flight attendant at my airline, I encountered individuals who prioritized filming and photography over job responsibilities, even during critical flight phases. Their behavior reflected a disconnect from reality, coupled with a lack of professionalism and authenticity.

Notably, the discrepancy between their online persona and real-life appearance, often heavily edited, was striking. Despite my limited knowledge of their online presence, feedback from colleagues painted a contrasting picture of their work ethic.

A friend’s encounter with a prominent Twitch streamer, known for controversy, revealed a juvenile and self-centered personality, consistent with expectations.

Having grown up alongside @FatCarrieBradshaw (Chris Burns), I can attest to his exceptional kindness, humor, and inclusivity.

He embodies genuine positivity and deserves all the success he has achieved.

A friend manages an Instagram account for her dog, boasting a modest following. The effort invested in curating content, including networking at dog-themed events and daily photo updates during vacations, underscores the dedication required for such endeavors, occasionally resulting in perks such as complimentary products.

A former roommate with a significant Instagram following exhibited immature and attention-seeking behavior, avoiding financial obligations and displaying a lack of consideration for others. This experience shed light on the disparity between online personas and real-life conduct.

An acquaintance’s close relationship with Ms. Rachel highlights her genuine and amiable nature, consistent with her online presence.

A stark contrast was noted between influencers seeking freebies with minimal engagement and a high-profile influencer, with 3.2 million followers, who paid for services without seeking special treatment. The latter’s unassuming demeanor and genuine appreciation stood out positively.

An influencer projecting a ‘girl boss’ and ‘hustle culture’ image was observed to prioritize self-promotion over actual work, highlighting the disparity between online portrayal and real-world actions.

A former roommate, notorious for fabricating stories and seeking attention, exemplified a troubling lack of authenticity, creating a challenging living environment.

Interactions with influencers, particularly those in a niche field, revealed a pattern of inefficiency and lack of attention to detail. Despite varying follower counts, a common thread of delayed deliverables and errors in content emerged, leading to a disillusionment with influencer collaborations.

A former close friendship with prominent social media influencers unraveled due to their consistent prioritization of content creation over personal commitments. The experience shed light on the superficiality of online relationships and the toll of fame on personal connections.

Feedback from collaborations with TikTok influencers and Twitch streamers highlighted a recurring issue of poor email responsiveness, indicating a lack of professionalism in communication practices.