46 Comments
May 21, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

Saw some negative comments here, so just wanted to say that IMO this is very well though-out poignant and generous. Especially how you empathize with these creators, which is MUCH more than what average tik tok users grant to large influencers. Some comments here make me think about how our generation seems to have a really hard time parsing out thoughtful critique from cyber-bullying, feedback, cancellation, etc. Not saying that these are easy distinctions, but anyone that's gone viral on Tik Tok (as I have, somewhat unfortunately) knows that one of the primary experiences is being misunderstood and misrepresented. I think Tik Tok and Twitter are powerful vehicles for decontextualizing content. And I feel like that's spilling into "the real world" and *the discourse*. Also, I have a Substack called Gen Zero, and we talk about similar things re: our generational culture! Congrats on the piece woo

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

Hmmmmm... some of this is accurate and some not so much. As an avid millennial tiktok user I (of course) have some thoughts.

1. The rise of Bella Poarch was accompanied by MANY Gen Z detractors who stitched THAT famous video with evidence that she is an industry plant. Some pointed out that she shot all her videos in a hotel room, that the algo was definitely being manipulated in her favor and other strange phenomena that didn’t add up. They knew her rise was NOT organic and called it from day 1.

2. Doja Cat blew up with Mooo!. A ridiculous YouTube video that went viral in 2018 before tiktoks domination. Megan blew up after releasing multiple mixtapes and grinding the old fashioned way.

3. While there is a lot of mediocrity on tiktok, as on any other platform, there are also countless thoughtful creators from all age groups sharing interesting and sometimes mind blowing content. Juilliard students sharing their practices with us, amazing life hacks, historians breaking down history from under represented POVs and so forth. This has spawned the in-platform joke “Tiktok university”

4. Spot on about Charli and Addison though!

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

Echoing all the other comments here: this is so thoughtful and nuanced, and what really makes it sing is the fact that you actually know TikTok. (I feel like almost every other reporter besides you and Taylor just parachutes in when it’s time to do a story.) Excited to read more 💗

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May 20, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

This article put everything I’ve been ranting about white mediocrity into concrete words, thanks! I never wanted to come across as “mean” to Charli, but you’re right: there’s nothing special about her, yet we’re all subjected to seeing her in the news constantly. No hate, just what does a 16 year old white girl have to say/do that’s worthy of billions of dollars and invaluable connections?

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May 22, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

This is so thought-out, thank you for posting. I do get a feeling that we've overcorrected with "poptism" to the point where now not only do we not criticize what's popular, but we interpret it as inherently good BECAUSE it's popular.

Great article!

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

I would like to note, though, that Broski (rightfully) was criticized for stating that AAVE is “Gen Z Language”. So she’s not without controversy.

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

This is so well nuanced and thoughtful- you walk the line incredibly well, which is such a special and empathetic talent when discussing subjects that are so young. Keep up the great work!!

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May 17, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

This is great!

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You killed this! I’m subscribing.

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This article does indeed sound like invasive jealousy and bullying. Some examples below.

About Charli “All of it — is incredibly boring and one-dimensional.” Your article says the bullying of Charli is tragic, but also you call her “incredibly boring.” If someone wrote “Kat’s writing - all of it - is incredibly boring and derivative.” It doesn’t then make it somehow better to follow it with “This isn’t meant to bash Kat, who I feel great sympathy for given she’s a mediocre, inexperienced writer who gained fame through plagiarism and clout chasing.” Just be honest, you’re still bullying Charli. Others may not have her best interest at heart either, but I’m not feeling that you do.

About Bella “She’s extremely pretty in a very social media-specific way, particularly due to her pouty lips, excessive blush, highlighted button nose, and glow-y skin.” Yuk. Imagine someone calling somebody you love pretty in a “very social media specific way.” You describe yourself as not being mean or jealous.... but it’s, uh, a mean thing to say about someone.

About Charli: “What we have is tragic.... Now Charli gets relentlessly bullied for being rich and so-called “talentless” when all she wanted to do was have fun and be 15.” Can you explain how it's tragic that she's bullied for being ‘talentless’ but you calling her ‘oppressively average’ shows you feeling bad for her? Really. Really. Can you look in a mirror and say you feel bad for Charli?

About Brittany Broski: “Kombucha girl,” is overall more beloved, funnier, and less controversial than Charli.” What does that mean she’s more beloved? That part is less jealousy and more… what? What are you talking about?

My take -- I feel bad for you, but in a different way than how you feel bad for Charli. You’re just learning to write, you’ve decided to make a career out of picking easy targets (young influencers), and in the process you’re bullying a bunch of teenagers while pretending you care for them. Still hard to tell if you’re pretending to just your readers, or to yourself as well.

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May 19, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

Nailed that shit. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

wow great article. I’ve honestly been waiting for someone like you to give thoughtful insight on these new age celebrities.

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This is so good it makes me jealous! Subscribing for more of this high-quality cultural analysis :)

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First read, nicely done. Really great insight. Looking forward to more.

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

such a well written piece! You never fail to amaze me! Keep up the great work kat!!!!

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May 18, 2021Liked by Kat Tenbarge

Another great article, Kat!! Thank you!

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