Why You Should Never Date An Influencer
Today we’re venturing into the underbelly of the digital jungle. We’re talking influencers, Instagram models, TikTok stars, and YouTube gurus. who seem to exist solely in filters and Facetune, trading in likes, views, and virality.
At first glance, dating an influencer may seem like signing up for a life of luxury, filled with glitzy parties, exotic vacations, and not to mention, the envy of all your friends.
What exactly is an influencer?
In today’s digital age, an influencer is someone who, thanks to their significant following on social media, can influence others’ opinions, behaviors, and in particular, purchase decisions. Their sphere of influence varies and could be in areas like fashion, gaming, wellness, travel, or any other niche they’ve carved for themselves.
Now, before you consider making one of these people your significant other, let’s pause that daydream for a moment and turn off the Valencia filter. It’s time to check out what life dating an influencer really looks like, with no edits or redos.
11 reasons why you shouldn’t date an influencer
1. Your relationship could become content fodder
One of the primary concerns of dating an influencer is that your relationship could become content fodder. You know those cute couple goals posts that get thousands of likes? Yeah, they might be fun to look at, but the reality behind the scenes could be a whole different story.
Imagine this: You’re on a romantic dinner date and instead of having a deep conversation with your partner, they’re obsessed with getting that perfect Instagrammable shot. Not exactly the most intimate setting, is it?
2. The pressure to look ‘perfect’
When you’re dating an influencer, there’s always this unspoken pressure to look ‘perfect’ all the time. After all, their followers expect a certain level of aesthetic beauty in their feeds.
Waking up with bed hair or lounging around in your sweats isn’t really ‘Insta-worthy’. It could make you hyper-aware of your appearance and put undue pressure on your relationship.
3. The dreaded ‘S’ word: Sponsorships
Sponsorships are a significant part of an influencer’s life. This could mean that your partner is always working, always on their phone, and always thinking about their next post.
Plus, what if a sponsorship involves a romantic getaway or a couple’s experience? It might feel less like a romantic gesture and more like a business transaction.
4. Privacy? What’s that?
Influencers tend to share large parts of their lives with their followers, and dating one might mean your privacy goes out the window. Are you comfortable with your arguments, intimate moments, and personal life being broadcast to a sea of strangers?
5. Fake it till you make it culture
The influencer world is riddled with the ‘fake it till you make it’ culture, where showing an inflated version of reality is common. This culture could spill over into your relationship, making authenticity a scarce commodity.
6. The followers never sleep
With followers in different time zones, influencers need to be on top of their game all the time. Expect interruptions at odd hours, because for influencers, engagement is everything.
7. Their job is more demanding than it looks
Most people think being an influencer is easy and fun. But the reality is it’s a full-time job that demands constant creativity, networking, and time management. They may have less time to devote to the relationship than you’d hope.
8. Trolls, haters, and jealousy
Unfortunately, being in the public eye means dealing with online trolls and haters. Can you handle seeing your partner being criticized daily? Are you prepared to be on the receiving end of jealousy-induced hate?
9. The threat of cancellation
In the digital world, ‘cancel culture’ is rampant. One misstep, one ill-timed tweet or a misunderstood post can result in a flurry of hate, leading to a sudden loss of followers, and more importantly, credibility.
When dating an influencer, you may inadvertently find yourself in the crossfire of a potential social media storm. The constant need to “be on your best behavior” (i.e. go along with the status quo) to avoid being canceled can put added strain on not only your relationship but your mental state as well.
10. Competing with a fan base
If you’re dating an influencer, you’re not just dating them, but you’re also sharing them with their legion of fans.
Your partner will need to constantly interact with their followers to maintain their online presence. This could mean less quality time for you and could even breed feelings of jealousy or insecurity.
11. Skeletons in the closet
In the social media landscape, past mistakes have a way of resurfacing at the most inconvenient times. If you’re dating an influencer, their high public visibility could lead to increased scrutiny of not just their past, but yours as well.
Old tweets, pictures, or even past relationships could come back to haunt you. Are you ready for your life to be dissected by curious fans and critics?
Final thoughts
It’s safe to say that dating an influencer isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a bit like signing up for a reality show that you never auditioned for, with a dress code that strictly enforces “picture-perfect” 24/7. It’s a wild ride on the influencer express where the tickets are free, but you pay in privacy, interrupted dinners, and occasionally, sanity.
But hey, if you’re someone who loves the limelight, can master the perfect selfie pout, and doesn’t mind sharing your significant other with an army of followers, then, by all means, go for it! Just remember to keep your life filter-free, because when the screens go dark, it’s real-life that matters. And no amount of likes can beat the joy of authentic, offline love.