A screengrab from @ladyfromtheoutside TikTok video
With the latest dazzling display of style this May at the 2024 Met Gala, there have been many reactions—strong, positive, stunned, and overwhelmingly negative. That’s right. But why did this year’s Met Gala, in particular, cause a massive block wave on various celebrities?
This time around, some internet users have taken action with a rallying cry to block celebrities online. The online movement that is taking a stand against these celebrities who haven’t committed their “resources to help those in dire need” is credited to a TikToker, whose user name is @ladyfromtheoutside.
“It’s time for the people to conduct what I call a ‘digital guillotine.’ A ‘Digitine,’ if you will. It’s time to block all the celebrities, influencers, and wealthy socialites who are not using their resources to help those in dire need,” she said in the now-viral video she posted a few days ago.
The movement has gained notable momentum as a resounding plea to highlight inequalities in wealth and power. Many supporters of the movement emphasize ensuring broader access to essential resources like water and food. Many believe that people like Kim Kardashian, who are incredibly wealthy and public, should use their platform to address the “humanitarian atrocities in Gaza,” NBC News reported.
According to Distractify, some of the targets of criticism include Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, The Rock, Taylor Swift, and many more.
In a thread on Reddit, many are championing the ongoing celebrity block to continue.
“The idolization of celebrities should not be at the levels it currently is anyways. They’re just people. Regular, flawed people. This is a good thing to see,” one person wrote.
“I feel a revolution coming baby. We, the common people, are PISSED,” another added. “After living through covid, massive job layoffs, and the price of rent, food, and gas skyrocketing….we are f**king done with this shit. It’s time to EAT THE RICH and leave no fucking crumbs.”
According to the Miami Herald, the movement has taken cues from the French Revolution, which kicked off due to failed reform attempts, inequalities, and grain shortages. A common perception during the period was a passive nobility with failed social obligations.
As the Marquis de Mirabeau of the period wrote: “The seigneur is no longer good for anything, and so it is in the normal order of things for him to be forgotten by the people, just as he has forgotten them.” The decline in nobility function against the surging power of the bourgeoisie created friction with the working class.
That means heads are going to roll. However, many people share some of Mirabeau’s sentiments, thus sending celebrities to the “digital guillotine.”