In recent years, “cancel culture” has emerged as a hot-button topic, especially in the world of social media influencers. While some argue that canceling someone can have significant repercussions, a closer look at the landscape reveals that the impact of cancel culture on influencers’ views and sales may not be as profound as many believe.
Take, for instance, the case of Sophia La Corte who gained clout for getting involved with her friend’s boyfriend. Despite the backlash, her engagement increased. Influencers often thrive on controversy; it fuels conversations, and conversations lead to views. Even when faced with public criticism, they can leverage their existing clout to monetize their content. This particular influencer continues to post videos about the controversy, while pinning her lower viewed videos on her page to accumulate views for profit. This is proof that the outrage didn’t significantly hinder her financial success.
The Rise of Alix Earle
Similarly, Alix Earle, a prominent influencer known for her beauty and lifestyle content, faced scrutiny for racist comments she made but she somehow managed to bounce back swiftly after a single 40 second apology video. Her brand collaborations and sponsorships continued to thrive post-controversy, underscoring the point that audiences often forgive and forget. Earle’s ability to adapt her content and maintain a relatable persona allowed her to retain her audience’s attention, proving that views often outweigh the fallout of cancel culture.
James Charles: Controversy as Currency
James Charles serves as another prime example. Despite facing several cancellation attempts (for black face, grooming, and racial comments) throughout his career, he continues to enjoy millions of followers and high engagement rates. His ability to turn controversy into conversation keeps him in the limelight, often leading to even greater visibility. He uses this to promote his new makeup lines, generating a profit from that as well. For influencers like him, the very act of being “canceled” can sometimes lead to increased interest, as fans rush to see what all the fuss is about.
The Bottom Line
In the world of influencers, views are the currency that drives income. Cancel culture may create temporary waves of discontent, but for many influencers, it often translates to increased visibility. The numbers are clear: when a controversy hits, many followers flock to see what’s happening, leading to spikes in views and, ultimately, revenue.
While cancel culture can have real consequences for some, for many influencers, it serves as a reminder that public attention—positive or negative—can be harnessed for financial gain. As long as views drive revenue, influencers will continue to find ways to navigate the waters of public opinion, proving that, in the end, engagement trumps outrage.
