This Fame Was Manufactured
Before there were TikTok stars, Instagram baddies, or viral GRWM routines, there were studio-manufactured icons with perfectly curated personas — and they weren’t managing their own image. From Jean Harlow’s peroxide glamour to Marilyn Monroe’s breathy mystique, Old Hollywood laid the foundation for the influencer culture we live in today. The studios weren’t just making movies — they were making people. Every smile, every romance, every scandal was meticulously crafted and controlled, much like the algorithm-friendly content creators we see across our feeds now. In this video essay, we explore the striking parallels between vintage stardom and modern influencer fame. Fame, it turns out, has always been a performance — it’s just moved from the silver screen to the smartphone. From studio-controlled publicity stunts to today’s branded “authenticity,” we’ll unpack how both eras commodify identity, aesthetics, and relatability for public consumption. Whether it’s Greta Garbo claiming she just wants to be left alone or a TikToker tearfully announcing a content break, it’s all part of the same image machine. This isn’t just a history lesson — it’s a look at how fame has always been manufactured, and why we still fall for it. If you’re fascinated by vintage glamour, influencer culture, and the blurred line between reality and performance, this one’s for you. If you enjoy cultural commentary with a nostalgic twist, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell for new video essays every week. And let me know in the comments: Do you think influencers today are more authentic, or just better at playing the game? Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM4hiMCyAEMxibzIYrOKD5Q/join #OldHollywood #InfluencerCulture #PopCultureCommentary #HollywoodThenAndNow #JeanHarlow #MarilynMonroe #TikTokCulture #SocialMediaFame #VintageAesthetic #MediaLiteracy #FameEconomy #ContentCulture #CelebrityManufacturing #StudioSystem #CulturalAnalysis #NostalgiaCore #HollywoodHistory #ImageCulture #AestheticEconomy #LauraJaneAtelier