On social media, users are currently calling for people to unfollow dozens of celebrities. What’s behind the “Celebrity Blockout”?
For around two weeks, numerous users on Instagram, TikTok and Co. have been calling for certain celebrities and influencers to be blocked on social media platforms using the hashtag #blockout2024. The accusation: You don’t comment or don’t comment enough on the situation in Gaza. What is behind it, who should be blocked and how successful is the campaign?
Celebrity Blockout 2024: That’s what’s behind it
The reason for the “Celebrity Blockout” movement is, among other things, the Met Gala, which took place on May 6th in New York City. Social media users drew comparisons to the class divide in the film series “The Hunger Games.” They criticized the fact that numerous celebrities celebrated at the luxurious fashion event for 75,000 US dollars per ticket, while the suffering for the people of Gaza is increasing. Because while everything revolved around fashion at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, the Israeli army was advancing on Rafah in Gaza.
The catalyst was also a now-deleted video by US influencer Haley Kalil (@haleyybaylee), who posted a video of the event with a sound snippet from the 2006 “Marie Antoinette” film. In it she dubbed the famous words “Let them eat cake” – a reference to the quote “If they don’t have bread, let them eat cake.” A sentence that is often put into the mouth of the French queen (1755-1793) and which has long since become a symbol of elites’ lack of understanding of social problems.
therefore also speaks of a “digital guillotine” or “digitine”. “We gave them this platform. It’s time to take it back, take away our views, likes and comments, our money,” says the user. “It’s time to block all celebrities, influencers and the wealthy who don’t use their resources to help those who desperately need it.”
Mass movement on the internet: celebrities should be blocked
Shortly after the event, , announced that it would block all celebrities who attended the Met Gala on various social media platforms. The aim of the movement is to remove attention and reach from public figures who have not spoken out about the suffering in Gaza.
Since then, lists of names of celebrities who should be blocked have been shared under various hashtags – including superstars such as Beyoncé (42), Jennifer Lopez (54), Kim Kardashian (43) and Taylor Swift (34). A “Block of the Day” is even chosen every day – on May 17th, for example, Hailey Bieber (27) will be there. There are also names circulating in German-speaking countries, such as Leni Klum (20) or Elyas M’Barek (41).
How successful is the “Celebrity Blockout”?
It is currently difficult to estimate how the campaign will have an impact and how many users will actually take part. , which measures follower numbers, Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez (31) and Taylor Swift, among others, have already lost follower numbers in the six-figure range.
The movement is apparently also causing pressure for some celebrities and influencers to speak out: After the “Celebrity Blockout” began, some celebrities already commented on the topic in videos. Among other things, singer Lizzo (36) shared for a family from Gaza as well as for families in Sudan and Congo. Influencer Twenty4tim (23), who is on the German block list, also commented.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
