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.
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