Episode No. 23
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BONUS CONTENT
Demystifying Digital Personas:
A Guide to Modern Content Archetypes
The desire for the unattainable is nothing new in society. We see it in TV shows, Movies, Books, and even our day-to-day life when we have catch-up sessions with our best friends. However, the desire to present ourselves in a very specific and curated has grown more common in social media once people realize how profitable it is. Before we dive into my perspective I want to clarify the key differences in terms I am going to be highlighting:
The It Girl
The term "It Girl" originated in the 1920s when author Elinor Glyn wrote a novel titled "It," which was later adapted into a silent film starring Clara Bow. Glyn defined "It" as a magnetic charm and sex appeal that went beyond conventional beauty - a quality that made someone irresistibly attractive to others.
Traditionally, the "It Girl" label was reserved for Hollywood actresses, models, and socialites with this indefinable quality of magnetism and star power. These women often graced magazine covers, attended exclusive events, and set fashion trends.
However, social media has democratized access to "It Girl" status. Today, influencers and content creators can build massive followings and cultivate a similar aura of desirability and influence without traditional entertainment industry connections. We now see social media personalities receiving invitations to prestigious events like the Met Gala or landing major magazine covers - opportunities that were once exclusive to established celebrities.
This shift has blurred the lines between traditional celebrity and internet fame, creating new pathways to achieving "It Girl" status through carefully curated online personas and strategic personal branding.
Sources/ References:
https://scriptmag.com/history/elinor-glyn-recognized-it-before-anyone-else-because-she-had-it#:~:text=Clearly%2C she was already demonstrating,the era including Charlie Chaplin.
The People’s Princess
The term "People's Princess" was originally used to describe Princess Diana, who was known for her ability to connect with ordinary people despite her royal status. She demonstrated genuine empathy, humanitarian work, and maintained an approachable demeanor that endeared her to the public.
In early 2024, this term has evolved to describe celebrities who manage to maintain a sense of relatability while achieving significant success. As discussed in the podcast "A Little Atypical," this differs from the "It Girl" concept because while "It Girls" are often celebrated for their aspirational and sometimes unattainable lifestyle, the "People's Princess" archetype centers on maintaining authenticity and connection with their audience.
However, this presents a delicate balance. When celebrities actively try to appear relatable, it can sometimes backfire and appear contrived or inauthentic. Examples include tone-deaf attempts to relate to everyday struggles while living in obvious luxury, or forced "regular person" moments that feel staged rather than genuine. This kind of forced relatability often leads to public criticism and can be perceived as mockery of genuine everyday experiences.
Sources/ References:
(See at the end of post)
That Girl
"That Girl" emerged in 2021 as a lifestyle trend that emphasized personal development and well-being across multiple life domains, partly in response to the limitations of "girl boss" hustle culture and the work-life challenges highlighted during the pandemic.
At its core, the "That Girl" movement promotes a holistic approach to self-improvement, including:
Morning routines focused on wellness (meditation, exercise, journaling)
Balanced nutrition and meal preparation
Personal development through reading and learning
Mindful living and self-care practices
While this movement has positive aspects, such as promoting work-life balance and encouraging personal growth beyond career success, it has notable drawbacks:
Perpetuates perfectionism through carefully curated content
Promotes a specific aesthetic that can be exclusionary
Drives overconsumption through product recommendations and partnerships
Often lacks acknowledgment of privilege and accessibility
Though "That Girl" includes valuable discussions about self-reflection, accountability, and behavioral change, the aesthetic and consumer aspects often overshadow these deeper elements due to their marketability. Content creators rarely address the potential guilt and pressure their audience might feel when unable to achieve these idealized lifestyle standards.
Sources/ References:
Girl Boss
"Girl Boss" emerged in the mid-2010s as both a cultural movement and marketing term, popularized by Sophia Amoruso's 2014 autobiography "#GIRLBOSS." This lifestyle trend emphasized female entrepreneurship and career ambition, characterized by:
Emphasis on professional success and financial independence
A work-centric lifestyle that prioritizes career achievements
Promotion of hustle culture and "always-on" mentality
Strong focus on personal branding and social media presence
While initially celebrated as empowering, the Girl Boss movement faced criticism for:
Promoting toxic productivity and burnout culture
Oversimplifying systemic barriers faced by women in business
Ignored challenges faced in terms of Racism and Classism
Commodifying feminism for profit
By the early 2020s, the term "Girl Boss" had largely fallen out of favor, criticized for its superficial approach to feminism and workplace equality. However, its influence can still be seen in contemporary discussions about women's professional advancement and entrepreneurship.
Sources/ References:
As you can tell:
It Girl and People’s Princess usually refer to celebrities
That Girl and Girl Bosses were more for the masses
This distinction is crucial as we explore how overexposure to people's lives and the parasocial relationships we form as content consumers can influence us both positively and negatively.
The evolution of social media has transformed how we view "It" status. Many content creators who initially gained popularity for being relatable have evolved into aspirational figures, challenging our perception of authenticity and accessibility.
While this podcast episode specifically examines It Girls and People's Princesses, it's important to consider the broader impact of lifestyle content exposure. The attainability of these lifestyles is inherently subjective. Rather than direct comparison, we can benefit from viewing these lifestyles objectively - identifying which elements truly resonate with our personal goals, whether it's time freedom, professional recognition, or specific skill development.
The impact of lifestyle content consumption has two primary aspects:
Positive Impact: Exposure to diverse lifestyles can inspire personal growth, introduce innovative solutions, and broaden our perspective on what's possible
Negative Impact: The constant comparison and pressure to emulate these lifestyles can lead to a loss of personal identity and authenticity
As content consumers, we have a responsibility to maintain healthy boundaries and perspective (more on this in a future episode). It's crucial to categorize content into aspirational content vs comfort content and check whether you can engage with aspirational content in your current headspace.
The thing about lifestyle content is that it can definitely spark joy and motivate us, but we've got to be smart about how we consume it. Whether you're following It Girls or People's Princesses (or both!), understanding these different content creator vibes helps us scroll smarter and keep our mental health in check. Instead of swearing off aspirational content completely, let's focus on engaging with it in a way that serves us - and knowing when it's time to take a break.
Want to dive deeper into this topic? Listen to Episode 23 of our podcast, where we explore the nuances of lifestyle content consumption and discuss practical strategies for maintaining authenticity in a world of curated perfection. Then scroll down with for the notes! Available now on all major podcast platforms.
What inspired this episode:
When I came up with an idea for this episode it was sparked by the discourse surrounding the Met Gala and growing public sentiment about celebrities being out of touch. It raised an intriguing question: In a potential recession or time of financial hardship, how would our relationship with lifestyle content and celebrities differ from previous economic downturns? The unique factor today is social media, which has democratized access to different lifestyles and blurred the lines between celebrities and everyday content creators. The episode explores whether we would still hold public figures to different standards when we have unprecedented access to their lives. This theoretical exploration delves into how we're navigating a technological landscape that evolved faster than our psychological capacity to process it, examining the complex dynamics between content creators, consumers, and the broader implications for society.
The extensive research and supplementary content above emerged from this initial spark, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding these evolving dynamics in our digital age. By breaking down different archetypes and examining their impact, we can better understand how to consume content mindfully in an increasingly connected world.
Questions I wanted to explore:
Is celebrity culture really coming to a downfall?
Many times in my major we spoke about authenticity and how the reason influencer marketing became so large is because
What are the effects of the Age of Aquarius in comparison to the Age of Capricorn?
What does it mean to be "the people's princess"?
Is it possible to maintain relatability after a certain point of recognition?
How can people balance their personal needs with social responsibility (community care)?
Many post-graduates feel this especially when they graduate- like they want to be a part of something larger than themselves such as with environmental issues, speaking about homelessness, the wealth gap, mental health, etc. ( aka anything that is their something larger) but also may have inner circle worries like finding a job because they seek financial security (whether it's because they have elder parents or children themselves), dealing with a health issue, family issues, relationship issues, wanting to create a life for themselves and not knowing how while feel guilty when they aren't doing anything larger than themselves because they are trying to find something to make them feel secure in this world.
What makes someone an "it girl"?
What is the "people's princess"?
How has social media transformed the traditional celebrity-fan relationship dynamic?
What role does economic context play in shaping public perception of lifestyle content?
How do different generations consume and interpret aspirational content?
What is the psychological impact of constant exposure to curated lifestyles?
How do cultural differences affect the perception of "It Girl" status globally?
What makes content "relatable" in today's digital landscape?
How has the definition of authenticity evolved in the age of social media?
What is the role of parasocial relationships in modern celebrity culture?
How do economic disparities influence content consumption patterns?
What is the future of influencer marketing in an increasingly skeptical digital environment?
Why do people feel disconnected from traditional celebrity culture in 2025?
How to maintain authenticity as a content creator while growing your platform?
What makes lifestyle content relatable vs unattainable?
How has social media changed the definition of celebrity status?
Why do younger generations prefer influencers over traditional celebrities?
What is the impact of recession on social media consumption habits?
How to balance personal growth with social responsibility online?
What defines modern "It Girl" status in the digital age?
Episode Description:
Given the recent events such as the Met Gala, " Let them eat cake", and Block2024 movement, etc. along with world events escalating, are the stars falling? Wealth gaps growing increasingly larger, and overconsumption becoming a bigger issue, does this mean being the "it girl" is over? For the past years, people used terms like "it girl", "her", and "that girl" to romanticize their lives but with the economic state of the world, celebrity culture and influencer culture will be on the downturn unless they find a way to be more down to earth. Enter: the people's princess. A new word on the scene to describe the more down-to-earth upper class. In this episode, we cover it all to talk about how the state of the world is influencing our beliefs and actions.
Section | Timestamp | Notes |
Introduction | 00:00 |
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Celebrity Culture | 02:52 |
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People's Princess vs the It Girl | 05:09 |
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Stop keeping up with XYZ | 09:31 |
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Card pull | 17:54 |
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What I am grateful for + What's new | 22:25 |
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