celebrity

Pop artist SIA

Exploring SIA's persona: the famous artist who covers her face

Article
Juul Seuren
31/12/2020
13 minutes to read

Sia is an Australian singer-songwriter who wears a wig to obscure her face and protect her privacy. This article investigates how Sia's persona as an (absent) artist and celebrity is constructed. 

Ellen DeGeneres: talk show host or CIA agent?

Paper
Iris Dumoulin
16/03/2020
12 minutes to read

In 2018, people believed that Eric Trump suggested that Ellen DeGeneres is part of a hidden government within the US. This essay analyzes how this conspiracy theory has come into existence, who plays a role in it, and what this means online.

gravedigging, digital shaming, digital gravedigging, social media celebrities

Online gravedigging, identity and privacy

Column
Mingyi Hou
10/02/2020
11 minutes to read

This article analyzes gravedigging as a digital practice, and illustrates its roles in online shaming and celebrity image management activities.

Leonardo DiCaprio and his activism

Leonardo DiCaprio and online activism

Article
Iris Dumoulin
11/12/2019
13 minutes to read

Leonardo DiCaprio has been stealing hearts since the '90s. But next to his acting, he has also been an environmental activist. To this day, his online posts encourage others to change the world. Can such a famous actor honestly be an activist?

Banksy

What is the phenomenon of Banksy?

Article
Nataliia Vdovychenko
28/10/2022
19 minutes to read

The article discusses the phenomenon of Banksy's art and its artistic and cultural value in relation to his anonymity. As a case study, Banksy's work exemplifies the intertwining of media, art, and activism in this day and age.

Miss Vietnam 2014: When beauty standards are "westernized"

Article
Nhu Truong
25/04/2019
14 minutes to read

This article discusses the public image of Miss Vietnam 2014, an "abnormal" Miss by Vietnamese standards, who is still considered a successful celebrity by those more familiar with "Western" cultural values.

social media celebrity

What do Knausgård and social media bloggers have in common?

Article
Nataliia Vdovychenko
10/04/2019
18 minutes to read

What do Knausgård and Instagram travel bloggers have in common? How do social media and contemporary literature inspire and influence each other? The answer lies in this article, where Knausgård is compared to young 'Western' travel bloggers.