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Celebrity in the ‘Twitterverse’: history, authenticity and the multiplicity of stardom Situating the ‘newness’ of Twitter

2014; Routledge; Volume: 5; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/19392397.2013.845962

1939-2400

Sarah Thomas,

Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

AbstractAnalyses within celebrity studies of the increasing use of Twitter as an effective tool of communication by stars and their fans emphasise shifts in the parameters of stardom. The convergence, connection and the potential for interactive address between star and audience that the online platform creates appears to position the concept of stardom in the twenty-first century as something new. This article argues that while Twitter may represent a deviation from older models of stardom, there remain important continuities and contexts between 'old' and 'new' celebrity behaviours and media forms. It argues that Twitter exposes, rather than creates, the multiple ways in which stardom and celebrity status can exist and be analysed, and that many online practices characterised as new have clear antecedents in wider histories of stardom. It suggests that much of the value of exploring celebrity Twitter accounts lies in how the site, its usage and its content, renders historical negotiations around the construction and presentation of stardom visible. In order to do this, it draws upon a range of examples –with a particular focus on the Twitter account of John Cusack – examining how the management of online behaviour and identity illustrates significant debates around the subject of authenticity within celebrity culture.Keywords: Twitterstardomauthenticityhistorymultiplicity Notes1. Erica Cheung (2012), Best Twitpics of celebrities without make-up, Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/24/best-twitpics-celebrities-without-makeup-photos_n_1609025.html. 24 June. Accessed 27 August 2012.2. Christina Passariello and Max Colchester (2011), L'Oreal slogan must prove worth anew, Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204323904577037720293895982.html. 15 November. Accessed 27 August 2012.3. Matt Raymond (2010), How Tweet it is! Library of Congress acquires entire Twitter archive, Library of Congress blog, http://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2010/04/how-tweet-it-is-library-acquires-entire-twitter-archive/. Accessed 1 August 2012.4. Life of Holly (2009), 'Not convinced that @shockozulu is real. I'm sure John Cusack is above CAPS LOCKS and misspelling 'Friend', http://lifeofholly.tumblr.com/post/133197077/not-convinced-that-shockozulu-is-real-im-sure. 30 June 2009. Accessed 1 August 2012.5. Apocalypstick (2011), http://apocalypstick.com/john-cusack-wtf/ 9 February 2011. Accessed 1st August 2012.6. Justin (2010), An open letter to famous Hollywood celebrity John Cusack, http://sportscracklepop.com/2010/05/05/an-open-letter-to-famous-hollywood-celebrity-john-cusack. 5 May 2010. Accessed 1 August 2012.7. MisterDoodyHead (2010), John Cusack blocked me on Twitter, yo! all I did was tell him he's too political, merely suggested he ease up on the preaching. next thing you know…BLOCKED…, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKuETnc6Jrs. 4 May 2010. Accessed 1 August 20128. Meghan Sweeney (2009), John Cusack gives Twitter fans a glimpse into his Irish holiday, irishcentral.com, http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/John-Cusack-gives-Twitter-fans-a-glimpse-into-his-Irish-holiday-55425517.html. 27 August 2009. Accessed 1 August 2012.9. John Cusack (2012), Twitter picture: http://twitpic.com/8qbob7, 'On press tour opens London April 9th'. 29 February 2012. Accessed 1 August 2012.10. Archive of the date of verified status found at http://celebsthattweet.com/2010/04/page/4/. Accessed 5 January 2013.11. John Cusack (2013), http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/19cdc3/hey_its_john_cusack_im_here_talk_to_about_freedom/?limit=500. Accessed 1 April 2013.Additional informationNotes on contributorsSarah ThomasSarah Thomas is Lecturer in Film Studies at Aberystwyth University (Wales, UK). Her published work includes Peter Lorre – facemaker: constructing stardom and performance in Hollywood and Europe (Berghahn Books, 2012) and Cult film stardom: offbeat attractions and processes of Cultification (co-edited with Kate Egan, Palgrave Macmillan, 2012).