Modern celebrities are often "self-made" creators who build direct relationships with their audience.
As we look forward, the integration of and Virtual Reality (VR) promises to make entertainment content even more personalized. We are moving toward a world where "popular media" might mean an interactive experience tailored specifically to your choices, blurring the reality between the viewer and the story.
The same engagement mechanics that make a dance video go viral make conspiracy theories go viral. "Plandemic" and "QAnon" spread via the same share buttons as SNL clips. When information and entertainment fuse, the truth often loses.