By
Oluwatomisin Victoria Ogunkunle
In the age of social media, influencers have become the epitome of perfection. With their flawless skin, toned bodies, and seemingly effortless lifestyles, it’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy they create. But behind the carefully crafted posts, likes, and comments, lies a complex web of reality that’s far from perfect.
In this feature story, we delved into the secret lives of social media influencers, exploring the pressures, pitfalls, and realities behind their perfectly curated feeds. We’ll talk to influencers, industry experts, and psychologists to uncover the truth behind the glamour and glitz.
For 23-year-old influencer, Dolapo, her TikTok feed is a carefully constructed work of art. With over 2,242 followers, she’s built a brand around her love of fashion, beauty, and travel. But behind the scenes, Dolapo admits to feeling suffocated by the pressure to be perfect.
It’s exhausting trying to maintain this image, she confesses. I feel like I’m constantly competing with other influencers, and if I don’t post something amazing, my followers will lose interest.
Dolapo experience is not unique. Many influencers feel the weight of expectation to produce content that’s not only visually stunning but also engaging and relevant. The pressure to be perfect can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Many influencers struggle with maintaining the image of constant happiness and success. People see a post of me smiling on a beach with a cute caption about my ‘amazing life,’ but they don’t see the hours spent curating the shot, editing the photo, or dealing with the anxiety that comes with hitting post, says Mariam a fashion and lifestyle influencer with over 5,000 followers. There’s so much pressure to appear perfect, and sometimes, it feels like I’m living for the feed instead of for myself.
Behind every staged photo and sponsored product, influencers must juggle an unpredictable and often overwhelming lifestyle. Mariam recalls how she spent weeks editing her perfect vacation photos only to have them scrutinized by her followers. It’s like, if I don’t get that ‘likes’ validation, I feel like I’m failing. But the truth is, it doesn’t matter how many followers I have or how many brands I work with; it’s still a grind every single day.
Alpha, a fitness influencer with a following of nearly 10,000, shares how exhausting it can be to create content that both feels authentic and satisfies the brands they’re working with. It’s tough to balance staying true to my audience while also satisfying sponsors who want a specific kind of content. The lines often blur between what feels genuine and what is a business transaction. And it’s even harder when I don’t even like the product but am still expected to promote it.
For many, these sponsorships represent a significant source of income. Yet the pressure to constantly churn out promotional content can be overwhelming, and the fear of losing followers or damaging their personal brand can keep them up at night. If I post something that’s too boring I’ll lose engagement,Alpha adds. It’s a balancing act. Too much promotion, and you risk coming off as inauthentic. Too little, and you risk losing out on paid opportunities.
While influencers may appear to be living a life of luxury, the reality is that many are struggling to make ends meet. With the rise of influencer marketing, brands are increasingly looking for influencers who can promote their products to their massive followings.
However, the competition for sponsored posts is fierce, and influencers often find themselves undercutting each other to secure deals. According to a recent report, the average influencer earns around $100 per sponsored post, hardly enough to make a living.
One of the most shocking secrets in the influencer world is the prevalence of fake followers. With the rise of bots and fake accounts, influencers can buy followers to inflate their numbers and appear more attractive to brands.
It’s a dirty secret, but everyone’s doing it, admits one influencer, who wishes to remain anonymous. I’ve bought followers in the past, but it’s not something I’m proud of. It’s a game, and if you want to play, you have to play dirty.
The influencer lifestyle may seem glamorous, but it can take a devastating toll on mental health. The constant pressure to produce content, the scrutiny of followers, and the competition with other influencers can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
I have had days where I have felt like I just can’t do it anymore, confesses Rachel. The pressure to be perfect, the constant criticism, it’s exhausting. I’ve had to take breaks from social media just to preserve my sanity.
So, what’s the reality behind the filter? Is it possible for influencers to be authentic and genuine in a world where perfection is the ultimate goal?
According to Dr. Kolapo Oyedimu a psychologist and expert on social media, the answer is yes. Influencers can be authentic and genuine, but it requires a willingness to be vulnerable and imperfect, she says. It’s okay to show flaws and imperfections. In fact, it’s often more relatable and engaging than a perfectly curated feed.
The secret lives of social media influencers are complex and multifaceted. Behind the perfectly curated feeds, lies a world of pressure, competition, and anxiety. However, it’s also a world of creativity, passion, and connection.
As we gaze upon the flawless selfies and enviable lifestyles, let’s remember that there’s a real person behind the filter. A person with flaws, imperfections, and vulnerabilities. By acknowledging the reality behind the influencer lifestyle, we can begin to break down the barriers of perfection and celebrate the beauty of authenticity.
The life of a social media influencer is not as glamorous as it may seem. Beneath the perfectly curated feeds and sponsored posts lies a challenging reality: pressure to perform, the constant fear of losing relevance, and the toll it takes on mental health. Yet, amidst the challenges, influencers continue to adapt, finding ways to create genuine connections with their followers, promote authenticity, and share more than just the glossy, edited side of life. For many, social media may be a double-edged sword, but it remains a space where the lines between reality and performance are continuously blurred.
Oluwatomisin Victoria Ogunkunle is a 400 level students of Mass Communication, Fountain University, Osogbo
