Robert Downey Jr. Criticizes Influencer Culture: 'Absolute Horseshit' to Call Them Future Stars

Few people understand fame as intimately as Robert Downey Jr. The Oscar-winning actor has navigated both critical acclaim—such as his role in Oppenheimer—and blockbuster success, including his iconic portrayal in The Avengers. While Downey’s rise followed a more traditional path to stardom, many contemporary stars owe their careers to social media.

This year’s Grammy nominees for Best New Artist, Addison Rae and Alex Warren, gained fame through TikTok before their music careers took off. Similarly, filmmakers like Danny and Michael Philippou, directors of Talk to Me, and Kane Parsons, behind the upcoming Backrooms film, rose to prominence on YouTube before breaking into Hollywood. Yet Downey remains unconvinced that influencers will inherit the mantle of celebrity.

Downey’s Blunt Critique of Influencer Culture

In a recent appearance on the Conversations for our Daughters podcast, Downey delivered a scathing assessment of influencer culture. He acknowledged that social media has democratized fame, but he questioned whether influencers truly deserve the status of future stars.

“Nowadays, people can create celebrity without ever doing much besides rolling a phone on themselves,” Downey said. “I don’t look at that as a negative thing. I just look at it as more like the challenge for individuation is being upped.”

“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 horseshit,’” he added.

Gen Z’s Influencer Obsession

Downey’s skepticism contrasts sharply with the aspirations of younger generations. A 2023 survey revealed that 57% of Gen Zers expressed a desire to become influencers. The actor shared an anecdote about his 14-year-old son, who became entangled in the influencer lifestyle.

“Next thing you know, it’s like, ‘Hey, if you like the way I’m playing this video game, do you wanna send me a donation?’ And really, it becomes a religion,” Downey said. “The influencers today are almost like the Evangelical hucksters of the information age.”

Despite his sharp criticism, Downey emphasized that he does not judge influencers themselves. Instead, he views the phenomenon as an inevitable byproduct of a rapidly evolving media landscape.

“We’re playing in this new territory and so it’s a little bit of a frontier, and I don’t really have a judgment on it,” he said. “I also know when I am promoting a film now I’ve gotten to know a few of these influencers, and I find them—many of them—grounded, interesting, accomplished, cool people.”

Downey’s Own Social Media Influence

Though primarily an actor, Downey has cultivated a significant presence on social media. On Instagram, he boasts a substantial following, demonstrating that his influence extends beyond traditional entertainment channels.