Celebrities and influencers are like those cool kids in high school. We envy their perfect lives and wish we could be more like them.
Or do we?
While many people fall for the illusion of an influencer’s flawless lifestyle, certain types of people see it for what it really is – a facade.
If you’re starting to question the authenticity of your favorite celeb or social media personality, you likely possess some of the following character traits…
1) Emotionally mature
Firstly, research has found that social media personalities have more influence on younger people (teenagers and people in their early 20s) than those in their later 20s and above.
The reason for this is their emotional maturity.
A 2023 study published in Current Psychology found that teenagers’ brains are significantly more sensitive to the impressions of others, especially the opinions of their peers.
Because of the mental changes that occur during adolescence, teenagers have a stronger desire to feel accepted and part of a group.
They are also much more sensitive to social rejection than those in their 20s, 30s, and beyond.
Therefore, those most likely to fall for the illusion of perfectionism that influencers post online are young people and those who are emotionally immature.
2) Free-thinking
But teenagers are not the only target audience of influencers and celebrities.
Anyone who believes what people say without thinking it through or follows the crowd without question (AKA sheep) falls for their facade.
Because that is most of the world’s population, celebrities and influencers are highly successful in getting people to listen to them, follow them, and do what they say.
That’s why most people believe the lifestyles influencers show on social media are real.
But if someone can think for themselves, they will question what they see online.
Rather than doing what they are told, they do their own research and form their opinion based on their findings.
But it’s not just celebrities and influencers that independent thinkers suss out – it’s also politicians, media personnel, journalists, and so on.
What often comes hand in hand with independent thinking is a healthy dose of the following trait…
3) Skepticism
Being a skeptic means having the tendency to doubt the truth in everything.
Skeptical people are naturally inclined to question the authenticity of what they see on social media.
For example…
If they see someone on Instagram who claims to be having ‘the best day ever’ every single day, they will quickly start to question that.
Because skeptics approach social media with a critical eye, they can also spot things that seem impossible or impractical, signaling falsity.
For example, if an influencer parent posts claims of going out for dinner or partying every night, someone who has a healthy dose of skepticism will instantly realize that either:
- They have a full-time babysitter and spend no time with their child
- They are exaggerating her social life to create a sense of envy among her followers (AKA show off)
- They are trying to secure or maintain lucrative brand partnerships (most likely)
Here’s another trait closely linked with skepticism common in people who see influencers for what they really are…
4) Truth seeking
Someone who has the truth-seeking personality trait will evaluate everything they come across.
They try to gain as much information on a topic as possible to deepen their understanding of the world.
One subject many truth-seekers are particularly interested in unraveling is the media.
For example, they will research the influence of manipulation techniques like editing tools, filters, and strategic storytelling on social media.
By learning how influencers create an illusion of luxury and success, they can decode the messages conveyed through their images, captions, and narratives.
As a result, they can browse through people’s stories and posts and easily differentiate between genuine moments and staged scenes.
5) Authenticity
If you don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, you can spot fake people from a mile away.
So, authenticity is one common trait among people who are aware of influencers’ fakeness.
Authenticity is a rare trait in a world where everyone is seeking external validation and social status.
Authentic people don’t care what others think of them or how they look to society. So they don’t mold themselves into being the way they think they should be.
Instead, they are simply themselves.
When you become authentic, you quickly see how rare this trait is. You feel different from everyone else because you don’t care about or want the same things as them.
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Inauthentic people want things that will make them more liked, which is why influencers are so popular.
Influencers present themselves as that ultra-popular high school kid. You know, the one with the nicest hair, coolest clothes, most beautiful partner.
So, everytime an influencer shows off their ‘perfect’ life on social media, it triggers everyone who wasn’t that cool kid in school.
Everyone except…
Those who have done the inner work.
6) High self-esteem
We all wanted to be like the cool kids in high school because we had low self-esteem. In other words, we didn’t believe we were good enough the way we were.
Thankfully, most people develop a better self-image when they grow up, but only if they have enough self-awareness.
Those who lack self-awareness continue to struggle with their self-esteem during adulthood.
And thanks to the existence of influencers, they continue reliving how they felt in high school every time they open up their Instagram feed.
Influencers know this, so they create the illusion that their audience is their friends to gain their trust.
However…
If you have a healthy self-image, you are secure enough not to fall for the fakeness of influencers and celebrities.
7) Individualism
Self-confidence allows you to embrace your uniqueness and stand out from the crowd without fear.
When you feel no need or desire to fit in with others, you can see the truth behind most celebrities and influencers – that their online persona is fake.
Because here’s the thing…
People copy influencers’ fashion and lifestyle choices because they see them as trendy.
But they don’t realize that influencers and celebrities are paid to post things on their social media.
The dress someone shows off on their Instagram story is likely not one they brought themself or personally choose. Instead, it was sent to them by a brand that has paid them to promote it.
So, people who follow trends believe they have the same style as influencers. But in reality, they are just a victim of brand marketing.
On the other hand…
People who embrace their individualism don’t follow trends. So, they make purchases based on what they like, not what they see people promoting on social media.
8) Groundedness
Finally, to remain unswayed by the constant flux of influencers, you need to be grounded.
Why?
Grounded people are firmly rooted in reality. Because they are not stuck in their heads or ‘up in the clouds,’ they navigate the digital landscape with a sense of realism.
By staying grounded, they don’t get swept up in the relentless portrayal of perfection and success online.
They remember that the images and narratives celebrities and influencers present are curated.
So even if they consume this content, they do so as entertainment rather than because they desire the person’s lifestyle.
What’s more, they can simply appreciate the aesthetics of social media content without getting caught up in the illusion of unattainable perfection.
So, if you see yourself as a grounded individual, congrats, as you are one of the few people who can use social media without it negatively affecting their mental health.
How to develop these traits
According to the Psychology of Influence, people don’t notice others are influencing them as it occurs in the subconscious mind.
But the more you prioritize self-knowledge and personal growth, the more awareness and control you gain over your subconscious mind. This allows you to develop the traits of free-thinking, skepticism, and truth-seeking.
If you’re new to personal growth, don’t feel overwhelmed.
One place I recommend starting is Rudá Iandê’s free masterclass on how to free your mind.
Rudá Iandê is a world-renowned shaman who helped me break through some limiting beliefs that were holding me back and preventing me from seeing the truth.
After watching Rudá’s video, I realized I was making decisions based on society’s expectations of me rather than what truly aligned with my soul.
Thanks to his teachings, I was able to take the first step toward embracing authenticity and individualism.