Amid the current coronavirus outbreak chaos, celebrities have been very active on social media — for better and for worse. From sharing messages of support and hosting virtual concerts to making charitable donations, celebrities are using social media to connect us all while we practice social distancing. While some claim this time shows just how “out of touch” celebrities are with the rest of society, they nevertheless continue to keep us up to date on their lives.
Everyone from Julia Roberts and Taylor Swift to Reese Witherspoon has taken to social media to spread positivity while we endure this unprecedented time of social isolation. Celebs also continue to emphasize the importance of social distancing to their large following bases, reposting popular infographics and sharing their own clever photos on Instagram.
Celebrities have also been in the headlines for their charitable donations to many causes, including those focused on helping children dependent on school lunches as a food source. On March 16, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds announced their donation of $1 million to be split between the Feeding America charity and Food Banks Canada.
Kristen Bell, Ciara and Russell Wilson, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake and many others also announced contributions to food banks and charities across the country as the outbreak continues to impact the lives of Americans nationwide.
Celebrities have also taken to Instagram Live to further connect with followers worldwide. Singers John Legend, Chris Martin and Keith Urban performed short concerts from their homes with #TogetherAtHome. Miley Cyrus has been using her time in social isolation to livestream “bright minded stories” where she shares positive news for viewers, with cameos by other famous guests like Demi Lovato.
However, not all celebs taking to Instagram Live have received such positive responses. Vanessa Hudgens was the subject of criticism after saying that people dying from coronavirus is “…terrible…but inevitable.” Hudgens later apologized, but many point to her comments as showing how celebrities are “out of touch.”
Further criticism was sparked when Gal Gadot released a video of herself and other celebs singing to John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Many were unamused by a group of rich and famous people singing about an idyllic world with “no possessions.”
In terms of testing, celebrities have also received pushback for seemingly skipping the long wait to receive a coronavirus test, as many have been tested despite being asymptomatic.
Through all the good and all the not-so-good moments celebrities have had during the coronavirus outbreak thus far, social media continues to keep us connected. Through these uncertain and nerve-wracking times, it is important to support each other — now more than ever.
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