It can be said that TikTok is creating a new generation of internet phenomena that are receiving a lot of attention. The emergence of many faces from this social media platform wanting to enter showbiz raises concerns about the quality of the entertainment industry; because TikTok is a virtual space, while showbiz is a real world that requires capable individuals who can create real value.
The Era of TikTokers
The “overwhelming” presence of TikTokers is most evident in television shows and the red carpets of movie premieres and MV introductions. At red carpet events, the sight of hot TikTokers dancing and shouting has become commonplace. In popular fashion shows, prestigious front-row seats are often reserved for many TikTokers, even though they have no fashion expertise or background in showbiz… In numerous television shows, the frequency of TikTokers appearing has also increased significantly. The fees for some TikTokers are very high, comparable to the prominent faces of showbiz. This is the reality that has been occurring in the Vietnamese entertainment industry for the past few years.
Remember during the final night of the Miss Vietnam Sports pageant, Lê Bống (real name Lê Xuân Anh) was one of the names that attracted attention. Partly because she is a famous TikToker, and partly because this beauty had faced quite a few scandals related to her behavior but still participated in the pageant. In the end, Lê Bống won the title of Miss Kindness and made it into the Top 10. After the final night, the name Lê Bống was widely searched online; the title awarded to this beauty also became a hot topic of discussion on social media. Many viewers believe she achieved this success thanks to her popularity on TikTok.
Similarly to Lê Bống, Trần Thanh Tâm – a TikToker who rose to fame with the flirty phrase “Fried eggs need fat, corn needs butter”, surprised netizens when she decided to compete in Miss Fitness Vietnam. Many viewers believe her beauty and physique are not suitable for a beauty pageant, not to mention the controversies related to her private life.
After stepping into showbiz, she continued to appear as an MC for VTV8 despite having no formal training. Most recently, the “fried egg girl” announced that she would participate in an international beauty pageant that very few people care about. Despite the controversy, as of now, Thanh Tâm has officially “stepped both feet” into showbiz.
Another case is Phạm Thoại, a TikToker who has often been the target of criticism for his outrageous outfits and inappropriate comments on social media. However, this very trait has helped him continuously appear on red carpets, becoming a front-row guest at major fashion shows, while many artists with years of serious work have not been chosen.
Recently, the appearance of Hoàng Kim Chi at Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 also showcased the increasing encroachment of TikTokers.
Is it too easy to become a ‘star’?
Just because of the number of followers that TikTokers have, many entertainment events invite them to red carpets or to sit in honorary seats that should only be reserved for reputable faces with high expertise. Public opinion has often “boiled over”, fiercely criticizing when someone who rose to fame through inappropriate remarks and outfits sits in the front row of a fashion week show; or when someone involved in multiple scandals, constantly opposed for their clickbait clips on TikTok, receives the “kindness” award in a beauty pageant…
This reality shows a distortion of values. The pursuit of popularity based on TikTok likes has become a trend, a target for program producers and event organizers. This is also a clear testament to the chaos in showbiz and the devaluation of the term “star”.
It cannot be denied that TikTok has a significant influence. However, alongside those who create valuable content that brings educational and experiential value, many TikTokers have become a force online due to their clickbait tactics that are often inappropriate, trivial, or even ridiculous. With millions of followers, they become influential figures with power and fame. This is also an advantage for them to step into showbiz, a field that is always alluring. The public is weary and concerned that the invasion of famous TikTokers who gained fame through non-artistic factors will make the already chaotic entertainment industry even messier.
On online forums discussing this phenomenon, many viewers believe that TikTokers who have risen to fame through a few videos should reassess their abilities and avoid falling into a state of delusion. There is nothing wrong with someone having aspirations to succeed in a new field or to become an artist, but they need to strive to prove their artistic talent, not to “exert power” through the number of followers on social media.