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by Jon Michaelson

There are a lot of grounds I can think of why people would follow Hollywood celebrities on Twitter (and note that this too applies to other social media internet sites such as Facebook):

1. To get a mutual follow: meaning, if you follow Justin Bieber, he may follow you in return. I consider thats usually not the case when dealing with celebrities considering the fact that there are several other million people you can follow who will follow you back, but Im just naming it as a potential factor.

2. Because you're wondering about their lives. Why do people follow Lady Gaga or Kim Kardashian? To see what they do in their day to day life. Hey, it's all public, so why not? They ask for this promotion.

3. Because they offer interesting content. Some celebrities, such as Stephen Fry, write very good content. Really, pretty much every one of Fry's tweets is a winner. I could not unfollow him even if I wished to because he's far too good a source to give up. It doesn't matter in the least that he doesn't follow me back. The New York Times doesn't read my web log and I don't stop reading it, do I?

4. Because they want a opportunity to come in contact with them. If you follow somebody, you can comment on something they do or they may follow you back, and so you may actually get to talk to them - to 'touch' the Hollywood celebrities and be a part of their activities.

I consider for most people it's commonly (4), that is, the opportunity to interact with Hollywood celebrities, and to a lesser extent , (2), that is, to simply follow their lives out of wonder. Nevertheless, let's face it, the tweets of most celebrities are absolutely boring. It's like seeing the twitter account of your not so bright teenaged next door neighbor. That being said, interacting with a celebrity implies you get to say 'hey, I chatted with Britney today', even if all she replied to you was 'thank you' and you get to discuss this for years to come! So I think fundamental interaction is the main reason, even if its superficial interaction.

This reminds me of quick personal anecdote : should I be talking about this in a public forum? Never mind. In the mid 90s, a friend of mine used to be a secretarial assistant of a very well recognized Israeli general who years later was a nominee to be the head of the Israeli Mossad (he didn't get the job by the bye). You'd frequently read about him in the news at the time seeing as he dealt with very sensitive subjects. When she left her job, she had a little going-away party (for about 20 people), and he came too as her boss. She in person introduced everyone to everyone, so I was introduced to him also.

At some point someone was talking in the background while she was making a speech, in effect interrupting her (rather rudely), so he shouted out Silence, Schlessinger!. Clearly he confused that guy who was misbehaving with me (my friend rapidly corrected him, No no, that wasnt Udi, he's a good guy). But for years afterwards I used to say 'you know, the potential head of the Israeli Mossad shouted at me in anger'. Silly, I know, but worthy of an anecdote even 15 years later. Don't you reckon?

To see more on this topic, have a look at this site on Hollywood celebrities and celebrity videos.

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