Enthusiasts, Ep. 48: Celebrity Trials

Those who closely follow celebrity trials fall into two main categories: diehard fans of the person on trial and opportunists who seek to make social media posts and/or merchandise using content from the proceedings. This episode looks at examples of how both types of spectators have made a scene outside of courtrooms, gained money and/or fame from their public support of stars on trial, and have overall shaped public narratives more than many realize. A wide variety of celebrity cases (and the superfans and grifters involved in them) are covered, including those of Elizabeth Holmes, Anna Delvey, Lori Loughlin, and TikTok star Cameron Herrin. Later on, particular attention is paid to the immense amount of social media content made in response to the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, the reasons why the trial was livestreamed in the first place, and future implications of both the verdict and the social media activity surrounding the story.

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