Overview of Nowadays, celebrity is a state of mind
In this NPR It’s Been a Minute conversation, Brittany Luce talks with Bobby Finger and Lindsay Weber of Who? Weekly about their new book, I Want to Be Famous, and how fame has changed in the influencer, reality TV, and social media era. The episode argues that celebrity is now less of a fixed status and more of a sliding scale—where being “known enough” in the right niche can be more useful than being universally famous.
Key Ideas and Takeaways
Fame has fractured into “who” and “them”
- The hosts explain their core Who? Weekly framework:
- “Them” = universally recognizable stars.
- “Who” = people who are famous, but only to some audiences or in certain contexts.
- In the past, tabloids and magazine covers made fame easier to categorize.
- Now, celebrity is more fragmented: whether someone is famous often depends on who you are, what you follow, and what context you’re in.
Lowercase-fame can be more valuable than capital-F fame
- The episode makes a strong case that huge fame is no longer the only path to success.
- “Who”-level celebrities and influencers can:
- Take more brand deals and sponsorships
- Move more freely without protecting a “prestige” image
- Earn serious money through niche audiences
- The hosts suggest that modern fame is often less about mass recognition and more about monetizable attention.
Influencers and reality TV changed the game
- Reality TV normalized the idea that ordinary or semi-known people could become long-term media figures.
- Instead of appearing on a show and returning to normal life, many reality stars now build entire careers from that exposure.
- Influencer culture has pushed this even further:
- Followers function like a kind of modern patronage
- Audience size directly affects earning power
- Being “booked and busy” can matter more than being critically acclaimed
Stardom is increasingly tied to visibility, not just talent
- The episode notes that some entertainers are more famous for their personal lives than their work.
- Pete Davidson is used as a key example of someone whose romantic history became more memorable than his film or TV roles.
- The conversation suggests that in today’s culture, being interesting, visible, and talked about can matter more than traditional artistic achievement.
Stan culture is a powerful force
- Taylor Swift is discussed as the clearest example of modern fandom as identity.
- Fans aren’t just consuming music or celebrity content—they’re building communities and shaping online discourse.
- The hosts argue that stan armies help preserve celebrity legacies and can even amplify an artist’s power well beyond music sales.
Aging stars and aging fans may shape the future
- The episode highlights how stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift now have older, long-term fans who can still drive demand.
- Celebrity is no longer just a youth business; it’s becoming a longer-term ecosystem where both stars and fans age together.
Notable Examples Discussed
Olivia Jade
- Cited as a “who” who remains relevant despite scandal and a nontraditional path.
- Used to illustrate how fame can persist even without a conventional career trajectory.
Mikey Madison
- Bobby calls her an interesting “who” even after major recognition, including an Oscar win.
- Her mysterious public persona is treated as part of her appeal.
April Buckles and Operation Nikki
- Examples of niche influencers who feel highly compelling to the hosts.
- They show how very specific online personalities can generate strong parasocial attention.
Rita Ora
- The book’s final chapter focuses on her as a model of modern, flexible fame.
- She represents the “working celebrity” who stays visible by taking many different kinds of opportunities.
Pete Davidson
- Used to show how dating fame can become a stronger brand than career fame.
- His public comments criticizing influencers are treated as ironic, given that his own notoriety was shaped heavily by celebrity relationships.
Big Picture Conclusion
The episode’s central argument is that celebrity has become more fluid, niche, and market-driven than ever. Fame today is less about being universally known and more about being strategically visible, culturally sticky, and financially useful. In that sense, modern celebrity really is “a state of mind”—and often, a business model.