By Alyssa Cortes
In the unpredictable landscape of social media, Gypsy Rose Blanchard is a stark example of how social media can catapult someone into overnight celebrity status, only to see that attention fade away just as quickly.
Released on Dec. 28, 2023, on early parole for good behavior after serving eight years instead of ten, Blanchard found herself a digital influencer overnight. On Dec. 29, 2023, Blanchard posted her “First selfie of freedom!” on Instagram, receiving a staggering 6.5 million likes. The internet transformed her into a social media sensation, amassing over 8 million followers on Instagram and almost 10 million on TikTok within weeks.
Blanchard’s content with husband Ryan Scott Anderson has sparked a viral trend, with users copying a comment written by Blanchard on Anderson’s Instagram account onto their own partners’ posts.
Yet, as quickly as she ascended, Blanchard seemed to be losing the spotlight. TikTok users are beginning to express dissatisfaction with Blanchard’s continued social media activity, with some feeling she needs to lay low. She is currently in the middle of a press tour promoting her lifetime documentary, “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” causing many to see her exploiting personal tragedies for personal gain.
In some of the interviews done for the documentary, she has vocalized not taking complete responsibility for the event that landed her in prison. Many speculate this could violate the terms of her parole, seeing as she got out two years earlier than sentenced for accepting full responsibility for her crimes.
Additionally, as she navigates the digital world, her posts reveal a lack of understanding of the potential dangers associated with her actions, exemplified by a misguided comment about her nephew. She uploaded a picture with her nephew and told her followers to slide into his DMs, “only age-appropriate ones, though; he’s only 15, lol,” posted @gypsyrose_a_blanchard on Instagram, highlighting the need for a more responsible use of her substantial online following.
The fickleness of social media is evident, raising questions about the ethical implications of our collective fascination with her story. While she now has the opportunity to shape her narrative, Blanchard remains uncompensated for the Emmy-winning Hulu series “The Act,” emphasizing the need to empower victims to tell their stories on their terms.
Why do we, as a society, support individuals who exploit the stories of others to gain personal fame? The media surrounding Blanchard has infantilized and glorified her, sometimes ignoring the complexities of her trauma. Blanchard’s story became a source of entertainment, leaving us to ponder why one person’s trauma should be exploited for entertainment and celebrated. In contrast, others who have faced similar situations, especially minorities and people of color, don’t receive the same level of attention and empathy.
“We are already beginning to see the short attention spans people have as well as their lack of overall knowledge about their world and local context,” said the Pew Research Center. Social media’s role in distracting people from deep engagement fosters a culture solely interested in being entertained by others’ misfortune, which has become a concerning aspect of our digital age.
Blanchard’s social media presence is a cautionary tale about instant fame and the challenges of navigating the digital world responsibly. As we grapple with the downsides of social media, it is crucial to extend empathy and concern not only to those who capture our fleeting attention but also to those whose stories may not fit the mold of viral sensation.