Examining the ins and outs of cancel culture
Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog! My name is Nina Lavoie, and over the next eight weeks, I will delve into something that has transformed the online world: cancel culture. I chose this topic because I spend a lot of time on social media, like many of us do, and I’ve noticed how quickly people can go from being loved by millions to “canceled” overnight. Whether it’s YouTubers, podcasters, streamers, or celebrities, cancel culture has become one of the most powerful influences on the internet, and we need to understand it better. I will be heavily examining how their cancellation went, how I think it should have gone down, and where they stand now.
What is cancel culture?
Cancel culture refers to the phenomenon where a public figure or influencer is publicly called out online for something problematic they have done. This can lead to them losing their online presence and the money that comes with it, oh, and just about everyone "hating" on you, too.
Some people view it as holding them accountable, while others would say it is too harsh and doesn't even give them space to learn from their mistakes.
For instance, Vox describes cancel culture as "either an attempt to 'cancel' anyone whose opinions cause controversy or to accusations of cancel culture in action, however unwarranted," while the New York Times explores how teens are experiencing cancel culture firsthand. Both sources show that this topic is extremely complicated. It also raises questions about free speech and whether online communities should have so much power to shape someone's career. Supporters and critics alike continue to debate where the line should be drawn between accountability and excessive punishment.
Why I Chose This Blog?
I picked cancel culture because I am chronically online when I am bored. I see firsthand how people's lives get ruined, and how the internet is just such a hateful place. Some of it makes sense, but others get mistreated. I know I can stay entertained by doing this weekly, because someone is getting canceled every day. While looking at different cases, I hope to figure out whether cancel culture truly creates positive change, or if it’s just another form of online bullying.
What to expect in this blog series:
Over the next eight weeks, I’ll be writing about specific influencers who have been canceled. Each post will look at:
- What caused the controversy
- How the internet reacted
- What happened afterward (career comeback, continued backlash, etc.)
- What lessons can we take
- And what my opinion on it is...
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming:
Week 2: Tana Mongeau & Brooke Schofield
Week 3: James Charles
Week 4: David Dobrik
Week 5: Cierra Ortega
Why This Topic Matters-
Cancel culture isn't just about the drama; it has real consequences. Influencers can lose their income and fan base in an instant. But at the same time, cancel culture can also give people a voice to truly hold people accountable for their actions.
For example-
The Observer states that we could very well be missing the point of how to cancel someone. Is it to make public examples out of them, or force offenders to take accountability?
The Atlantic suggests that cancel culture might not be as powerful as people think.
So what is really going on here? That is why we need to dive into this and get answers.
App vs. App
Cancel culture is also different on certain apps, such as TikTok and YouTube.
-Cancel culture on TikTok is often perceived as worse than YouTube due to its extreme nature and the lack of results.
- TikTok can range from someone getting death threats, or not holding that person accountable, and letting their apology win them back.
- YouTube, in my opinion, is a little different. From what I have seen, the influencer just makes a 5-minute video and goes back to posting normally. The platform is harder to make content to try to win an audience over to cancel someone.
- Overall, it is best not to get canceled at all!
Personal connection-
I have seen firsthand how Cancel Culture has affected influencers, such as TikTok stars. I doom scroll often, and like certain creators on the app. I really liked this one creator on the app, Sienna Mae Gomez. Gomez is well-known for being proud of her own body and spreading body positivity. She soon began dating another creator, and he came forward and claimed she had sexually assaulted him multiple times. The whole internet believed her, even after her apology video. She soon vanished off the face of the app, never being put on the for you page anymore. Now, years later, she is back. Engaged and still posting content, raising her fan base again. It has been so long that people forget, or choose sides, meaning her side. She made her comeback by making a video to end the rumors. At the end of the day, these creators can still be safe even after such a serious accusation, because it is always going to be he said she said. So what do you think about this?
Closing thoughts-
At the end of this project, my goal isn't just one thing. My goal is to explore the gray areas in between. I think we all have something to learn from these influencers, whether it is about holding people accountable, learning forgiveness, or remembering the power of the online world.
So I just want to say thank you for joining me! Check back weekly for new posts, and follow along on Instagram and Twitter/X for more updates! Let's get into this messy, but intriguing world of cancel culture.
Outro question: Do you think cancel culture really holds people accountable, or just trains them to learn how to get on the world's good side again?
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