Robert Downey Jr. has flatly rejected the idea that influencers are the future of stardom, calling them “absolute horses” and insisting that real stars are still defined by what they produce.
Downey Jr. said the rise in online self-made fame isn’t necessarily a negative, but it does change what it takes to differentiate.
“Now people can make themselves famous without having to do anything other than roll their own phones,” he said about the rise of technology during an appearance on “Conversations for our Daughters.”
“I don’t see it as a negative thing. I just see it as more of a challenge to individualization.”
The “Iron Man” star stressed that he hopes young people will choose to learn and create, not just get noticed online.
“Hopefully, the worse part of the youth, let’s call it America for regionalism, is going to say, ‘Yeah, but that’s not my job. I want to go do something, I want to create something, I want to build something, I want to educate myself, I want to have more input, so whatever my output is, it’s not just some self-aggrandizing influencer type thing.’
“When I hear people say, ‘Oh, the stars of the future are going to be influencers,’ I think, ‘I don’t know what world you live in, but I think that’s absolutely awesome.'”
Downey Jr. highlighted parts of influencer culture that feel like hype-driven self-promotion disguised as something more meaningful.
He gave the example of how his 14-year-old son was recently drawn into the new age attention economy.
“He kind of got caught up in the influencer thing, and before you know it, he’s like, ‘Hey, if you like what I’m doing playing this video game, would you please donate?’ And it really becomes a religion,” Downey Jr. said.
“So today’s influencers are in some ways similar to the evangelical scammers of the information age. At the same time, we’re playing in this new territory, so it’s a little bit of a frontier, and I can’t really judge that, so there’s a difference.”
Downey Jr. said he personally tries not to get too involved with social media and doesn’t want it to consume him.
“I know people say, ‘Robert, they love getting a glimpse into your life when you seem a little outlandish.’ And I said, ‘But yeah, I’m going to manufacture that aspect for them.’
“So that’s BS.”
Downey Jr. grew up with his father, Robert Downey Sr., a film director, and began his career at an early age. He had early success with films such as “Less Than Zero,” and was nominated for an Academy Award for “Chaplin.”
Downey’s career was derailed for years by legal troubles and substance abuse problems. His turn began in the early 2000s.
Downey Jr.’s most distinctive works include Iron Man, The Avengers, Sherlock Holmes, and his portrayal of Tony Stark to an emotional conclusion in Avengers: Endgame.
