Actress Maya Hawke discussed the challenges of navigating her acting career and social media presence during an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. The Stranger Things star shared that the line between actor and celebrity has become increasingly blurred in today’s age, with some producers considering a candidate’s follower count when casting.
“I don’t care about Instagram, but just so you know, if you have over this many followers, you can get the movie funded,” Hawke explained. This statement highlights the industry pressure to present a certain online image. She emphasized that she wants her work to be the draw, not her personal brand.
Hawke recalled conversations with directors about deleting her Instagram, as some producers use it to gauge a candidate’s collective followers when casting. However, this rule does not apply universally and is primarily reserved for established directors with a proven track record.
The actress also shared an anecdote about receiving harsh criticism from a producer regarding her appearance, specifically her tendency to let her mouth hang open while speaking. Hawke found it frustrating that she was told to close her mouth more frequently, as this trait was actually a characteristic of the character she was playing at the time.
Hawke’s comments serve as a reminder of the complexities and pressures faced by actors in today’s industry, where social media presence is increasingly viewed as an asset.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/maya-hawke-producers-cast-instagram-followers-1236137692