Celebrity Politics and Cultural Studies Within the United States and United Kingdom
Celebrity Politics and Cultural Studies Within the United States and United Kingdom
- Mark WheelerMark WheelerDepartment of Social Sciences, London Metropolitan University
Summary
Celebrity politicians are having a profound impact on politics within the United States and United Kingdom in the 21st century. With the adoption of social media, celebrity and image candidates have deployed new strategies for attracting constituents. Taken together, the proliferation of celebrity politics and the ubiquity of digital platforms have fostered a political moment, wherein “outsider” candidates have launched themselves into the public spotlight. Through their digital celebrity brands, populists such as U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson established an “authenticity” in which they “occupied” a public space. Consequently, as celebrities promote political agendas among target audiences/citizens, it is necessary to reflect upon their significance in election campaigns, policymaking, and activism.
Subjects
- Communication and Social Change
- Critical/Cultural Studies
- Communication and Culture
- Media and Communication Policy
- Political Communication
Updated in this version
This article has been heavily revised to better reflect the field since its initial publication. Several new sections have been added as well as additional resources in the reference list.
