Making the Change: The Millennial Icons
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,June 20 2017]
We're not what we used to be 10 years ago. Times are changing. We are evolving. Growing in some ways and not so much on the other aspects. We're moving forward and leaving behind something that we think holds no value anymore. We're always looking for something new.
Something different but authentic and original at the same time. This is what this generation is about. We're using what we learned to better the world and un-learning things that were preconditioned into our brains long before we were even born.
This generation is faster than ever. Success is at your fingertips. A generation where anyone can be anyone, within a matter of a click on the computer. We often end up looking up at people who are living life at their best, truly based on their hard work. We look up to people who re-built themselves from ashes and shined all over the world. They stole our hearts and they just happen to be celebrities.
Nevertheless, their life-stories are intriguing, their hustle, their work, their ethics and their style inspires us and we try to learn something from them.
Every. Day.
So, we follow them on social media and keep track of their moves and see if we can learn anything from them or correct them if they make any move that can be misinterpreted by others. Judging? Nope. If there's anything that millennial generation is against, then it is judging anyone. They just don't judge based on the plain-face of it. If had to judge, there's a long list of Whys and Hows to interpret the judgment.
Let's come back to the topic of celebrities
Celebrities are not just celebrities anymore. They are synonymous to people's inspirations and aspirations. Celebrities have the power to influence the masses right at their fingertips. Their elite-community blends well with the millennials who aspire to be just like them. The following is a list of the celebrities who have a massive influence on the millennials. These celebrities motivate, inspire, energize, sensitize and ascertain in a personal and intellectual growth of their followers.
Their social media moves can be either active or passive but either way, it is influencing the masses. What they speak, speaks about them. Maybe that's why these celebrities have millions of followers on social media.
These are the celebrities that are making the change and being the change in the millennial generation.
Lilly Singh
The Canadian YouTube star formerly started as a part-time Youtuber whilst pursuing her degree in Psychology. She later committed to being a full-time Youtuber while gaining millions of followers each passing year. Her videos are naturally funny and concept-based. Today, she has over 11.7 Million YouTube Subscribers. She is one of the most influential people in the world, according to Forbes and her recent book “How to Be a Bawse” takes the reader on her journey and leaves them motivated and inspired. Her motive? “Spread Happiness” and “Unicorn Life”. She is Millenial Icon because her followers look up to her for being so strong and bold. Her videos make people go change their lives. She's not just a comedy-vlogger. Her secondary account on YouTube showcases her mental health issues and gives an in-depth scene into her life. People love her because she tackled depression like a “Bawse” and continues to live her life like a boss while contributing to some meaningful causes like providing proper education for girls in Africa.
Harry Styles
The former one direction singer recently released his self titled album Harry Styles. He was a millionaire at 18 and is now even more successful, thanks to his fan-base from over 84 countries. The speculation about his sexuality (he might be gay or bisexual) keeps the masses and the media twirling around his finger tips. His style (Gucci Floral) and his profession add to the elite-ness in his life. He is a millennial icon because his song “Sign of the Times” is interpreted as “A song that has the power to unite the world into one”. He is grounded, he is kind and he fought his battles (depression and anxiety) far away from the spotlight, alone post taking a break from One Direction. He came back with a force and lives to make the world a better place, every day with his voice, power and influence. His charities include Alzheimer's Association,Comic Relief,Global Poverty Project, Greenpeace,Mines Advisory Group,Nordoff Robbins, Small Steps Project, Sport Relief and more. His movtive? “Choose Love”.
Connor Franta
The YouTube sensation started out small with funny and silly concept-based videos grew up to be a mature writer (His books: A Work In Progress, Note to Self). His charities got him the Governor's Award for his work at the Thirst Project's 6th Annual Thirst Gala on June 30, 2015. This project's motive was to provide safe-drinking water to people in Swaziland. His videos are more intense, mature, conversation-styled and edgy now. Something that this generation wants. He fascinates photography and his gallery on Instagram has gained him over 5.6 Million followers. His coming-out video has over 11.6 Million views and people look up to him as he is one of the most influential persons in the industry whose sexuality is not straight. His motive? “Live Life Now”
Zac Efron
He is an actor and the brand ambassador of Hugo Fragnance. #YourTimeIsNow is a campaign that he runs, which speaks about being motivated everyday and accomplish your goals. You'd think that a person who had to join rehab for Alcohol and Substance abuse (2013), twice, would have an issue to get it together, if at all. That's what everyone thought. So, He changed his future by working on his present. He has been sober since 2013. He owned up to his mistakes and continued to work hard in movies and now is a 30 year accomplished actor who will be seen next to Hugh Jackman in the movie “The Greatest Showman”. His potential and drive brought him to where he is today and his 29.2 Million and growing followers on Instagram love his journey, from being a dorky musical actor to mid-life crisis artist to the mature and accomplished actor that he is today. His charities include American Humane Association, Communities in Schools, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, DonorsChoose.org, Habitat For Humanity, Hillsides, Make-A-Wish Foundation,Mattel Children's Hospital,Music for Relief, Stand Up To Cancer,The Trevor Project and more. His motive? “Be Real to the World, Be Honest to Yourself”
Selena Gomez