Robert Downey Jr. Blasts The Notion Of Influencers As Future Stars

Robert Downey Jr.'s Bold Take on Influencers

Robert Downey Jr. is no stranger to stardom, and he's not holding back on his thoughts about the future of fame. During a recent chat on the Conversations for our Daughters podcast, Downey Jr. opened up about how the celebrity landscape has shifted since his youth. The Iron Man actor didn't mince words when he dismissed the idea that influencers are the 'stars of the future.' "In the late '70s, early '80s, dangerous though it was, there was this sense that the competition wasn't so stiff that you shouldn't even bother trying," he recalled. "Whereas, nowadays, people can create celebrity without ever doing much besides rolling a phone on themselves."

"When I hear people talk about, 'Oh, the stars of the future are going to be influencers,' I go, 'I don't know what world you're living in, but I think that that is absolute horses---.'"

Despite his skepticism, Downey Jr. acknowledges the reality of influencers' growing role in the entertainment industry. He notes that while some influencers might seem like the "evangelical hucksters of the information age," many are grounded and accomplished individuals. His own son, Exton Elias Downey, has dabbled in the influencer scene, particularly through gaming streams. Downey Jr. even considered the potential of this new world, seeing it as a frontier without passing harsh judgment.

The Social Media Dilemma

As Downey Jr. gears up for his much-anticipated return as Tony Stark in Avengers: Doomsday, he reflects on his own relationship with social media. With over 58 million followers on Instagram, the actor is well aware of the power and pitfalls of online visibility. "I try not to get too deep down any rabbit hole," he shared, expressing his reservations about the manufactured nature of social media interactions. He recalls the moment at Comic Con when Jon Favreau was tweeting live on stage, marking a new era where audiences feel directly involved in the process.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Downey Jr. is both a participant and an observer of its changing dynamics. While he critiques the influencer culture, he remains open to the possibilities it presents, acknowledging that the landscape of fame is indeed shifting. Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, promising another thrilling chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.