Maya Hawke Talks Social Media Stars Replacing Talent
Have you ever wondered why actors like Kevin Hart and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson are always appearing in films regardless of whether they bomb at the box office? Well, the answer may be right in front of you, and it’s called social media. While not every star is required to have a social media presence in 2025, it’s not uncommon for newer stars to create social media accounts to help increase their chances of landing work in Hollywood. You’re either a nepo baby, a social media influencer, or just very talented!
Not only that, but it’s no secret that Hollywood is full of pedophiles, extortionists, and shady business professionals. They are connected by trust among an elite society, and in order to walk through those doors, they need to be sure that you’re not going to become a whistleblower. Stars who suddenly turn up dead, become institutionalized, or are dragged in the press to discredit their statements are not uncommon when someone decides they no longer want to take part in the malicious acts Hollywood has built its reputation on.
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“I can’t. My ego is too fragile. My brain is too fragile. I’m like a delicate flower.”
Movies seem to come and go, flop after flop, and yet these companies still remain afloat. How? Perhaps the film industry is not generating revenue from its films alone… It’s similar to a billionaire who is still posting on their stories asking fans to donate money to a cause they could simply write a check for. So, where is the money coming from?
In a recent interview, actress Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, said, “I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks. Right, but just so you know, if you have over this many followers, you can get the movie funded. Well, I want to make the movie, so I…ugh…it’s really a confusing line to walk, and I’ve talked to so many smart directors who tell me that they get a…well, just so you know, when I’m casting a movie with some producers, they hand me a sheet with the number of collective followers I have to get that I cast. So, if you delete your Instagram and I lose those followers, understand that these are the kinds of people that I need to cast around you.”
This is typically why you may see an increase in music artists starring in films, regardless of whether they are qualified for the role. Many years ago, however, this was not uncommon. We can think of Jennifer Lopez, Aaliyah, Tupac, Janet Jackson, Tyrese, and LL Cool J, to name a few, who were able to successfully cross over into acting due to having a successful music career to back them up.
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Nowadays, however, there is no foundation to get through the doors and land yourself in a film outside of racking up a substantial number of followers on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram. Talent used to have to work really hard to get a chance at acting and show credibility in one area of entertainment that required a substantial amount of hard work.
Social media is both a gift and a curse because, while it has opened doors for many new talented people to gain visibility, it has also reduced the value and standards that were once required before something could be greenlit, funded, and eventually shared with the masses. This is how stars were born. But we no longer have stars—we have a collection of individuals who want to do something they know they are not qualified for but have realized that all they need to do is create one viral video, and those doors will open.
Now that Maya has shared this information, it seems like we can no longer congratulate newer musicians and influencers who land roles, because the truth is, their following is the reason they are acting alongside Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, and Viola Davis—the people who did grind and build their careers in a world without social media.
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“I’m not very technologically savvy; I would be really crap at it. [But] I suppose, for me, the words ‘private life’ mean just that: that you have a private life, which is the real-life stuff. And then there’s the fantasy stuff.”
The difference is that production companies are now requiring higher social media numbers to offset marketing and advertising costs, leaving talented actors at the mercy of studio execs who prioritize casting talent that is nowhere near their level, thereby decreasing their value. So if you’re not seeing your favorite actor or actress in films as often anymore, this could be the reason why.
On one hand, we get to discover new talent, but on the other hand, they are not going to stick around and are essentially being encouraged to focus on growing their social media accounts rather than working on their craft to deliver great performances and create amazing projects. Fans have come to rely too heavily on social media to feel connected to their favorites, to the point where they no longer have to physically go out and purchase their work or buy a ticket to see their film in theaters. They can just access them on social media, and that is enough. But while productions are saving money on marketing, they are losing money as fan interest continues to wane.
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What’s the solution? We need to let the masses have social media, stop paying people for content, and allow those in the industry to maintain a sense of mystery. That mystery breeds value, and if fans cannot access their favorite stars online, they’ll be more inclined to show up and support them where it matters most. Marketing should be done by those who have positioned themselves as authorities in the field—YouTube film critics, film and movie journalists, and those who cover these topics.
Not only that, but Hollywood should invest in its movie stars the way record labels invest in their musicians. If there’s an upcoming actor you want to turn into a star, they need the backing of a major studio—quality films, appearances, and interviews with respected publications such as She’s SINGLE Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Variety, to name a few. If we don’t remove social media from the fold, it will continue to do irreparable damage to the entertainment industry we’ve all come to know and love.
by Diamond Brown
