Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footerTalking pointThe dubious power of celebrity influencersAre influencers responsible for the behavior of fans online or IRL?One of Twitch’s most popular streamers, Kai Cenat, faces charges related to inciting a riot after a legion of his young fans took over New York City’s Union Square. Cenat was there for a giveaway, but when thousands of teens swarmed the area, the impromptu meet and greet “descended into chaos,” The New York Times reported. The massive meet-up “exemplified the power of niche internet celebrity” while demonstrating “what can take place when the energy of an online fan base bursts into the non-virtual world.” Cenat has 6.5 million followers on Twitch and broke the record for most paying subscribers on the platform earlier this year. He invited his followers to meet him in his hometown for a giveaway of PlayStation 5s and streaming equipment. Some of the mostly teen crowd turned rowdy, and the police arrested dozens of people.The internet and social media have redefined what it means to be famous. Influencer culture thrives on how much power these internet celebs hold over their fanbases — It’s literally a part of their job description. The real-life consequences
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The dubious power of celebrity influencers – The Week
