FROM VINE
TO STARDOM
© John Parra Telemundo NBCU Photo Bank
@ wethannmusic
© Nicky Nelson / WENN
In recent years , we have seen an entirely new way of rising to fame . And we ’ re talking about more than just a viral tweet that brings 15 minutes of stardom to some random profile . We are currently surrounded by an ever-increasing number of celebrities who found their start simply with the help of the internet .
Perhaps the most recent example to bring up is the “ Walmart Yodel Kid ,” whose career started with a viral video on Twitter and grew to include a guest appearance on The Ellen Show and an opening slot at Coachella . Mason Ramsey is a few steps away from being a household name ( if the household is made up explicitly of millennials , of course .)
An even greater success story than that of Mason Ramsey is hip-hop artist Cardi B . Cardi ’ s story , told in steps , is as follows : she went from working as a stripper in Manhattan , to starring on a reality tv show , to becoming one of today ’ s most successful female artists . What allowed for these transitions ? Well , she made several viral videos on Vine , Instagram and Twitter . Don ' t forget , it was Cardi B who taught us that “ a hoe never gets cold ."
The success of this Vine gave Cardi a platform , and she did not sleep on it . And now , five years later , we have a chart-topping hip-hop artist . Her fame on social media is what landed her a spot on Love & Hip Hop : New York on VH1 . After two seasons on the show , she began cultivating a music career . She signed with Atlantic Records in 2016 , leading up to her release of “ Bodak Yellow .”
A slightly less shocking story than Cardi B ’ s is Shawn Mendes ’. He started on Vine in 2013 , reaching fame when a clip of him singing Justin Bieber ’ s “ As Long as You Love Me ” got the attention of Island Records . He was signed in 2014 . Now , Mendes has two number one albums .
While all these artists have incredibly different styles , they all have one thing in common : their social media roots . At the end of the day , it only took having one it-factor for each of these artists to achieve fame — just like the countless other social media influencers and stars . Mason Ramsey has his absolute pure wholesomeness : it ’ s impossible to watch a tiny cowboy yodeling in a Walmart and not feel joy . Cardi B has her relatability : her ability to vocalize the everyday things people feel with her natural humor made people feel understood . And Shawn Mendes has , well , the Justin Bieber effect : a cute boy with a smooth voice is all the tween girl demographic needs to fangirl .
With the progression of social media being as rapid as it currently is , who knows what will be next ? BY EMMA GARTON