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Media Ethnography, Living Archives: Collaborative class: IML423 and ANTH327

Honey Robinson: The Influencer as a Modern Representation

In my video piece, “Honey Robinson: The Influencer as a Modern Representation”, I am raising the question of whether social media is a new outlet for authentic storytelling and identification. Though my interview with Honey Robinson, an influencer and actress, I unearth how her dichotomous roles in media allow her to inspire relatability in a more accessible form. By self producing content and reclaiming authority over her narrative, social media becomes a haven for people of color to break from stereotypes and problematic storylines often oversaturated in film and tv. My interview is divided into four parts: an introduction of Honey Robinson, an analysis of diversity in film and tv, aspirations for authentic character developments in media, and thoughts on how self produced content may spark deeper connections with audiences. By paralleling different influencer’s content alongside Honey’s, I intended to showcase the manners she has cultivated engaging storytelling. For example, though there are scarce film and tv storylines revolving around Black or Latina protagonists in college, Honey’s viral lifestyle and education-centered TikToks help reshape tropes in media. The incorporation of satirical influencers such as Ziwe, showcases how social media is a platform that strips white saviors from speaking over people of color. This piece was originally produced for and shown on April 17, 2024 at the University of Southern California for IML 340 (Remixing the Archive). References Cynthia, Dominique. (2022) “73 Questions with an Incoming USC Student | The Golderg’s Actress” [video] Youtube. Cardoso, Patricia. (2002) “Real Women Have Curves” [Film] HBO Films. Dyett, Devyn. (2023)“I Ain’t Mad At You” [Short film] University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. DeVitry, Autumn. (2020) “ It’s My Quince! Honey;s Quince Marathon | My Dream Quinceanera” [Awesomeness TV Series]. Paramount Global. Edward Shults, Trey. (2019) “Waves”. [Film] A24. Fumudoh, Ziwe. (2020) “Baited. Ft Caroline Calloway on IG Live | Ziwe” [Video] Youtube. Glover, Spencer. (2023) “Black Belts'' [film] Disney +. Good Morning America. (2023) “How push for diversity has affected the Oscar’s | GMA” [Video] Youtube. Hawley, Alexi. (2018-2024) “The Rookie” [ABC Television Series] Lionsgate Television. Hizkias, Liz. (2023) “Finding myself in Amsterdam” [Video] Youtube. Leon, Felice. The Root. (2020) “#Oscar’sSoWhite Creator April Reign Explains Why Diversity Isn’t Enough” [Video] Youtube. McMichael, Monet. (2024) “The creation of DEZI X MONET” [Video] Youtube. Naomi, Kiana. (2024) “how i do my hair (curly clip ins)” [Video] Youtube. Paloma. (2023) “My summer bucket list” [Video] Youtube. Peraza, Stephanie. (2024) “Boney Mae’s Blues” [Short Film] University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Powers, Kemp. Dos Santos, Jaquim. Thompson, Justin K. (2023) “Spiderman Across the Spider-Verse”. [Film] Sony Pictures. Robinson, Honey. (2021) “How I got my first acting role + Behind the scenes” [Video] Youtube. Stuff Mom Never Told You. (2015) “Stereotypology: Spicy Latinas” [Video] Youtube. The Take. (2020) “A History of Black Stereotypes Onscreen” [Video] Youtube. The Television Academy (2015) “Viola Davis Gives Powerful Speech About Diversity and Opportunity | Emmys 2015” [Video] Youtube. Variety. (2017) “Spike Lee Says 'Moonlight' Won Oscars Because of #OscarsSoWhite” [Video] Youtube.

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Honey Robinson: Influncer as a Modern Representation by Sara Balenta

In this video, I am raising the question of whether social media is a new outlet for authentic storytelling and identification. Though my interview with Honey Robinson, an influencer and actress, I unearth how her dichotomous roles in media allow her to inspire relatability in a more accessible form. By self producing content and reclaiming authority over her narrative, social media becomes a haven for people of color to break from stereotypes and problematic storylines often oversaturated in film and tv. My interview is divided into four parts: an introduction of Honey Robinson, an analysis of diversity in film and tv, aspirations for authentic character developments in media, and thoughts on how self produced content may spark deeper connections with audiences. By paralleling different influencer’s content alongside Honey’s, I intended to showcase the manners she has cultivated engaging storytelling. For example, though there are scarce film and tv storylines revolving around Black or Latina protagonists in college, Honey’s viral lifestyle and education-centered TikToks help reshape tropes in media. The incorporation of satirical influencers such as Ziwe, showcases how social media is a platform that strips white saviorism from speaking over people of color.
References
Cynthia, Dominique. (2022) “73 Questions with an Incoming USC Student | The Golderg’s Actress” [video] Youtube.
Cardoso, Patricia. (2002) “Real Women Have Curves” [Film] HBO Films.
Dyett, Devyn. (2023)“I Ain’t Mad At You” [Short film] University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
DeVitry, Autumn. (2020) “It’s My Quince! Honey;s Quince Marathon | My Dream Quinceanera” [Awesomeness TV Series]. Paramount Global.
Edward Shults, Trey. (2019) “Waves”. [Film] A24.
Fumudoh, Ziwe. (2020) “Baited. Ft Caroline Calloway on IG Live | Ziwe” [Video] Youtube.
Glover, Spencer. (2023) “Black Belts'' [film] Disney +.
Good Morning America. (2023) “How push for diversity has affected the Oscar’s | GMA” [Video] Youtube.
Hawley, Alexi. (2018-2024) “The Rookie” [ABC Television Series] Lionsgate Television.
Hizkias, Liz. (2023) “Finding myself in Amsterdam” [Video] Youtube.
Leon, Felice. The Root. (2020) “#Oscar’sSoWhite Creator April Reign Explains Why Diversity Isn’t Enough” [Video] Youtube.
McMichael, Monet. (2024) “The creation of DEZI X MONET” [Video] Youtube.
Naomi, Kiana. (2024) “how i do my hair (curly clip ins)” [Video] Youtube.
Paloma. (2023) “My summer bucket list” [Video] Youtube.
Peraza, Stephanie. (2024) “Boney Mae’s Blues” [Short Film] University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Powers, Kemp. Dos Santos, Jaquim. Thompson, Justin K. (2023) “Spiderman Across the Spider-Verse”. [Film] Sony Pictures.
Robinson, Honey. (2021) “How I got my first acting role + Behind the scenes” [Video] Youtube.
Stuff Mom Never Told You. (2015) “Stereotypology: Spicy Latinas” [Video] Youtube.
The Take. (2020) “A History of Black Stereotypes Onscreen” [Video] Youtube.
The Television Academy (2015) “Viola Davis Gives Powerful Speech About Diversity and Opportunity | Emmys 2015” [Video] Youtube.
Variety. (2017) “Spike Lee Says 'Moonlight' Won Oscars Because of #OscarsSoWhite” [Video] Youtube.