This blog post was written in class under 30 minute time conditions. It was to practice speed blog post writing – enjoy!

Kim Kardashian. Justin Bieber. Ariana Grande. Some of the biggest names out there. Social media has played a massive role in helping celebrities endorse their own products, brands and selves online. The use of Snapchat specifically allows the opportunity for celebrities to expose the small snippets of their private lives. I’m sure dedicated fans world-wide could confidently say that through their devotion to their checking their favourite celebrities social media accounts, they know exactly who are and how they tick. But… do they really?

Through the introduction of social media, the world has become more connected on so many levels. The positive and negative views on the use of social media, particularly by millennial users, has continued to change. There is nothing more we can do than to recognise and understand how social media can have both these effects, and not be blindsided to one perspective. For the many people who love connecting to, and knowing all about celebrities  and influencers, social media has become the phenomenon that has made it all possible. 

Despite the wonderful abilities social media allows everyday people, like you and me, it can be easy to be swept up in celebrity influencers social media accounts. The influence they can have on members in society can be life changing in some respects and many young people look up to these influences for inspiration. But celebrities lives are not what they may seem. The content they post on social media platforms can be controversial and sometimes expose different sides to a celebrity that people have not seen before. Two sides that can be showcased by celebrities particularly and are referred to by David Marshall as the “public self” and “public private self.”

Marshall’s book ‘The promotion and presentation of the self: celebrity as marker of presentational media’ explores the idea of celebrities inhabiting two different sides through their online presence. The first side is the ‘public self’ which is how celebrities expose their mostly professional lives on social media. This can be through product exposure or showcasing their lives while working. The ‘public private self’ refers to how they expose their private life on their public social media. This can very often be framed to portray themselves in a certain life, which may not at all reflect their own personality. It may be specifically done to further enhance their persona, both online and in person. This may be to appear more ‘likeable.’ So can we really trust what celebrities post online?

Howdy! 🙂

As an #ALM101 student, I have been given the task of creating my own website, and DAYUM how good does it look so far. Being welcomed with a horribly photoshopped logo of my face on a flower, what more could you ask for in a website? I thought I’d use my first post as a chance to introduce myself and let all my many, many, many, (and I cannot stress this enough), MANY future readers know my intentions and plans through the use of my blog.

And why not begin with the wise words of Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, as I DEFINITELY think this will be, the “start of something new.”

So, my name is Hayley May Clark and I’m currently studying at Deakin University at the Waurn Ponds Campus in Geelong. I’m 18 years old, and fresh outta high school as a first year this year. I’m completing a Bachelor of Communications (Digital Media) and so far, I’m really enjoying what I’m learning. Now, for the important stuff. My favourite foods are Mexican food (burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, you name it) or chocolate. My favourite colour would probably be light blue and I have the CUTEST DOG EVER. My lil doggo Molly is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and is just over one year old. Unfortunately, Molly doesn’t like me that much anymore because I stopped taking her for walks. :(( (But click here to have a look at her Instagram page, that my little sister runs!)

This blog has been set up by yours truly for the purpose of my first assignment, however I really think I may continue to use it in the future. It may give me an edge for finding jobs in the creative field in the future or at the very least, give me something to do when I’m bored. This blog will also track the arduous journey to win back my dog’s love, while still maintaining a lazy lifestyle.

I hope to post again shortly with more spicy content for you all to enjoy. 

Until next time, Hayley :))