Social Media Stars Tell All

Influencers and content creators seem to have the coolest lives. Every time they post a video of themselves doing a new dance or a funny skit, they get hundreds of thousands of likes and new followers. They take fun trips, score boxes of free stuff, and hang out with big stars like Emma Chamberlain and Doja Cat.

At least that’s what it looks like on your phone. But talk to influencers about what it takes to be TikTok famous and you’ll discover their lives aren’t quite as glamorous IRL as they seem on social media. Influencers put a lot of time and effort into making their lives look so effortlessly fun, and those “free” clothes and video games they show off in their posts aren’t exactly free. And while it’s exciting to go viral, sudden fame can be isolating, anxiety-inducing, and competitive.

That doesn’t mean you should immediately “unfollow” your favorite TikTokers or abandon your dreams of YouTube stardom. Influencers say that despite the downsides, making content means they get to do what they love. “I couldn’t be happier with what I’m doing,” says TikToker Mitchell Crawford. “As long as I’m making someone laugh, that makes me smile.” And the ability to raise awareness about causes you’re passionate about might be the biggest perk of all: “I’m an African American studies major, and I love that I can use my platform to talk about race,” Instagrammer Justina Sharp says

So the next time you’re tempted to compare your life with the seemingly perfect lives you see on your phone, remember you’re only seeing part of the story. We talked to five influencers (read more about them below) to get the lowdown. Read on to learn what it’s really like to be a social media star.

HOW IT LOOKS IN YOUR FEED:

A three-minute video takes three minutes to film, and influencers only post when they feel like it.

WHAT IT’S LIKE IRL:

Even though they might look spontaneous and natural, most popular videos are the result of hours of scripting, choreographing, and editing. Mitchell says an average video takes three to four hours to film, while vlogger Nicole Laeno spends at least an hour a day making up dances and filming them. The most successful influencers treat posting like a job. That means showing up for work whether or not they’re feeling it that day, which can take a lot of the fun out of social media. The pressure to post constantly so your followers don’t forget about you can lead to burnout. “If you feel so much pressure to post, you’re not doing something you like to do anymore,” TikToker Haley Sharpe says. “Sometimes I would post videos that weren’t the best when I needed to put stuff out there.”

HOW IT LOOKS IN YOUR FEED:

Influencers go to cool parties and get free trips and tons of swag—plus lucrative endorsement deals.

WHAT IT’S LIKE IRL:

“Free” isn’t really free—brands that send you clothes and video games expect you to post about the swag, and that can require a photo shoot, styling, editing, and even tiring travel. “There’s no such thing as free stuff, because of the amount of time it takes to market those products,” says Justina, who charges brands $850 to promote their products on Instagram. “It’s a rush, but it’s work.” As for getting paid, you have to have a LOT of followers to score the big-brand deals, and depending on your platform, you probably won’t rake in that much cash (see sidebar: “Influencers by the Numbers”). Both Haley and Instagrammer Kristen Morgan have yet to monetize their content. Influencers also have to strike the balance between making money and staying true to themselves. Justina says she’s turned down lucrative sponsorship deals in order to only promote brands she actually uses herself

HOW IT LOOKS IN YOUR FEED:

Everyone loves you when you’re TikTok famous.

WHAT IT’S LIKE IRL:

Being a “celebrity” has its drawbacks. Mitchell says he’s met people who wanted to befriend him solely for his social media clout, especially since he moved to Los Angeles for college. “People would be like, ‘Oh, you have that many followers? Can you shout me out?’ It was crazy what numbers [of likes and followers] did to my relationships.” And even if you get millions of likes, negative comments still sting. Kristen says she’s gotten some serious hate online: “When you get that amount of attention, you get comments, good and bad. People have said, ‘You’re ugly, you’re not funny, why does anybody even follow you.’ It sticks in your head.”

HOW IT LOOKS IN YOUR FEED:

Influencers lead “normal” lives when they’re not posting.

WHAT IT’S LIKE IRL:

Influencers can miss out on a lot of fun and important stuff. Traveling, photo shoots, and attending events can get in the way of normal things like hanging out with friends, doing schoolwork, and spending time with family. Kristen says she recently got a manager to help organize her schedule, which has been a big help. “I found it really stressful trying to balance social media with just being a kid or going home to cook dinner,” she says. Nicole says she tries to miss school only for opportunities that are “really worth it.”

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