Maya Hawke Highlights Hollywood’s Reliance on Social Media Metrics for Casting Decisions

The Stranger Things star revealed that follower counts can determine casting choices and even movie funding, reflecting a growing trend in the entertainment industry.

• Maya Hawke shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that some producers prioritize actors' social media follower counts when assembling movie casts.
• Hawke explained that follower metrics are often tied to a film's funding, making it difficult for actors to step away from platforms like Instagram.
• She revealed that directors are sometimes handed sheets specifying the collective follower count required for a cast to secure funding for a project.
• A social media user recounted a 2020 instance where a Game of Thrones actor was reportedly not cast in a movie because they had fewer than one million Instagram followers.
• Hawke expressed frustration with the blurred line between acting and celebrity, emphasizing her desire for work to be valued over personal online influence.

5 Articles

The Independent The Hollywood Reporter GamesRadar+ FandomWire BuzzFeed