Simone's Session Notes

Remember when celebrities operated their own Twitter accounts?

Before the times of curated posts by teams, celebrities shared unfiltered thoughts, responded directly to fans, and–for better or worse–engaged in internet discourse in real time. Those posts felt real and personal, as if the celebrity were a close friend.

Today, most celebrity social media accounts are far removed from the era of explicit self-expression. Posts are now focused on remaining strategic, clean, and purposeful. 

The result? These posts often feel distant, and even inauthentic.

That dramatic shift poses the question: Are artists being silenced by their PR teams, or did the nature of the internet make authenticity for public figures too risky?

The Rise of PR-Controlled Social Media

In recent years, with the rise of the creator economy, authenticity is the gas that fuels audience attention. Fans want to feel the reality in their public figures, yet they also expect perfection. 

The contradiction challenges the reputations of public figures.

The 2020’s internet punishes missteps with no mercy. Sometimes, the internet’s response is justified. But often, a mistranslation could spell the end of a career for an artist. A single reply could spark backlash, trigger internet mobs, create viral outrage and death threats rivaling the Salem Witch Trials. Not only that, but anything published on the internet lives forever.

So how do artists navigate the threat of losing their livelihood while maintaining self-expression? Many social media posts now fall into specific categories that build a brand while minimizing the risk for a career-ending fallout:

• Photo dumps with promotional relevance
• Public comments turned off
• Intentional fan engagement

Social media for artists has changed purpose from a clue into the personal lives of artists to a tool that protects their reputation, using a balance of connection and curation.

Examining sombr and Chappell Roan’s Controversy on the Internet

Two recent examples highlight the reasons behind this change.

sombr

After a 25-year-old attendant of 20-year-old singer Sombr’s concert attempted to express her discomfort with a post on TikTok. She called out the behavior the singer displayed at his concert, like asking his young fans to “’bark’ for him” and call him “daddy.”

Sombr responded directly, claiming that he was “freshly 20” and that 25 is “too old” to be going to concerts, as well as accusing the woman of “body shaming” him.

This resulted in the woman being harassed by his fans on the internet.

This backlash illustrates the danger of hasty engagement as a celebrity. The criticism was important, and it’s important for a healthy discussion of concert experiences online. However, the artist responding emotionally and directly to the criticism affected his image, which is crucial to building up as a new artist.

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan, Best New Artist 2025 according to the Grammys, blew up in popularity in 2024 with her song “Good Luck, Babe.” Gen-Z celebrated her for being a representation of an open Lesbian in the music industry, authentic, confident, and for her political awareness. 

Before the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, she posted a video to her TikTok fed up with people demanding that she endorse a presidential candidate. She dismissed both candidates at a time when that would be a crucial endorsement in a critical campaign. 

Then, people revisited her interviews where she constantly criticized fame, yet in her concerts, marketing herself as “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” Audiences felt it was disingenuous and inconsistent.

This highlights the influence artists have on their audience, and how that could risk their reputation. 

Artists’ Responsibility vs. PR Team Control

Artists and their PR teams have two distinct roles, though they balance each other out to create a powerful campaign that promotes the artist’s creative work.

Artists are responsible for:

• Understanding the power of their influence on their audience
• Recognizing potential power imbalances
• Knowing when and when not to engage

However, the PR team has a responsibility to:

• Protecting the artist’s reputation
• Navigating potential crises before they escalate 
• Managing the balance between authenticity, public relations strategy, and expression

The artists who can collaborate with their PR teams and respect this balance succeed.

From an Entertainment PR Perspective: What is The Best Approach?

The most effective approach today is a balance of strategic, intentional engagement. Artists don’t have to be private, nor do they have to be overly communicative. They must be intentional and strategic with their actions.

This means:

• Being thoughtful with sharing personal insights
• Avoiding unnecessary conflict by choosing silence
• Leveraging online interactions to create a consistent brand

Celebrity and online presence must be operated with careful protection of their reputation and leveraging their interactions online with a focus on opportunities.

The Bigger Picture: Fans, Social Media and Artist Reputation

Fans expect access to a glimpse of their artist’s personal life, but this requires recognizing responsibility to reputation. Clear, effective messaging and intentional engagement are critical to maintaining it.

Entertainment PR protects the artist’s ability to express themselves through their work and have a consistent brand. The most successful public figures are those who connect with their fans, employ social media to create a consistent brand, and use strategic thinking to protect their reputation.