R6: Ariana Grande

 Since the creation of Twitter in 2006, people have been able to see the "behind the scenes" of the lives of their favorite celebrities, which can either establish new relationships or solidify preexisting ones. Either way, there is a emotional connection that grows between fans and celebrities. These bonds that are created, have the ability to make one believe that one has developed a deeper knowledge of the other and that one may be more than just a fan. In Alice Marwick and danah boyd's essay titled, "To See and Be Seen" Celebrity Practice on Twitter", she explains,
             "On Twitter, celebrity is practiced through the appearance and performance of 'backstage'                       access. Celebrity practitioners reveal what appears to be personal information to create a
              sense of intimacy between participant and follower, publicly acknowledge fans, and use
              language and cultural references to create affiliations with followers. Interactions with other
              celebrity practitioners and personalities give the impression of candid, uncensored looks at
              the people behind the personas" (139).
If we were to look at the Twitter account of Ariana Grande, the 17th most follower celebrity on Twitter, we can see how her interaction with fans gives the illusion of a more personalized experience.

       Marwick and boyd also got into detail about how the personal interactions of Twitter are popularized and influenced by the reality television trend. This is because reality T.V. gives the viewer the sense of an unscripted look into the lives of celebrities. One can clearly see the similarities between Twitter and reality T.V. In a 2016 article posted by Bustle, a pop culture news site, it emphasized the down-to-earth response given by Ariana Grande about her Grammy nomination for Best Pop Album. The phrase, "down-to-earth" used to describe Ariana's tweet showcases the perception held by fans and audiences alike that illustrates the (as Marwick and boyd describe it) "the people behind the personas."

According to pop culture news source, Reality Today, they explained how Ariana Grande is also able to use Twitter as a source for updating fans as shown with her tweet concerning one of her canceled tour dates due to illness. This use of Twitter by Ariana solidifies the fans connection with the artist, because they feel as though they are seen as more than just sources of income, but rather actual people authentically cared for by the artist.

 

Sources:

Marwick, Alice, and boyd, Danah, “To See and Be Seen: Celebrity Practice on Twitter,” Convergence           May 2011 vol. 17 no. 2 139-158,      

          http://www.tiara.org/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2011/07/marwick_boyd_to_see_and_be_seen.pdf

Picture 1: https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/806175872822587392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bustle.com%2Farticles%2F198634-ariana-grandes-tweet-about-her-grammy-nominations-is-so-down-to-earth

Picture 2: https://twitter.com/i/moments/686774993657688065?lang=en

Picture 3: https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/640597175458660352/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realtytoday.com%2Farticles%2F32785%2F20150907%2Fariana-grande-cancels-sacramento-concert-via-twitter.htm