In the 21st century, fame has dramatically changed, according to Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber in their book I Want to Be Famous: When Everybody and Nobody Is a Celebrity. They trace this evolution from the silent film era to the current influencer-dominated landscape, highlighting a fragmented celebrity hierarchy where TikTok stars, reality TV personalities, and traditional movie stars vie for attention online.
Finger and Weber discuss the notion of “who” vs. “them” celebrities, where “whos” are less known figures, akin to what we once called C- or D-listers, while “thems” include major stars recognized by all. They note that media representations of fame have shifted significantly since Kim Kardashian, challenging the old paradigms of celebrity. The authors also point out that the idea of true A-listers has diminished, as the media landscape diversifies, making it harder for anyone to achieve universal fame.
The interview touches on various contemporary figures, including Meghan Markle as an example of someone who has navigated the space from “who” to “them,” emphasizing that very few maintain such visibility amidst a plethora of new talent.
Finger remarks on how celebrity culture has been democratized, changing our perceptions and interactions with fame, while Weber notes that we still seek common cultural experiences—be it through films, music, or TV—as a way to connect with one another in a fractured media environment.
