when pretty privilege fails you

Summary

The video script discusses TikTok star Charlie D'Amelio's rise to fame and her family's attempts to capitalize on her 'pretty privilege' through various business ventures. Despite their success, the script highlights how a lack of authenticity and understanding of their audience led to many of these ventures failing. The creator, Zoe, offers marketing insights and suggests how the D'Amelio brand could rebuild trust and create sustainable success by focusing on genuine passions and connecting with their audience.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Charlie D'Amelio's rapid rise to fame on TikTok was unprecedented, achieving 50 million followers by April 2020 and 100 million by November 2020.
• 💸 The D'Amelio family capitalized on Charlie's fame with numerous business ventures, including a makeup line, clothing brand, and reality TV show.
• 🚫 Despite the opportunities, the D'Amelio brand struggled due to a lack of authenticity and misalignment with their audience's interests and lifestyles.
• 🤔 The script questions the sustainability of 'pretty privilege' and the importance of a strong personal brand beyond physical attractiveness.
• 📈 The analysis suggests that the D'Amelio family's ventures lacked a clear strategy and seemed to be driven by the desire to emulate the Kardashians' success.
• 🎤 Dixie D'Amelio's entry into music and Charlie's various business attempts were criticized for being inauthentic and not resonating with their fanbase.
• 📺 The reality TV show and family YouTube channel received backlash for being disingenuous and not reflecting the reality of their audience's lives.
• 💬 The script highlights a disconnect between the D'Amelios and their audience, with the family seeming out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people.
• 🔄 The constant launch of new brands without a clear passion or connection to the D'Amelio sisters led to a lack of memorability and consumer interest.
• 💔 The sisters' public displays of dealing with internet hate and their privileged lifestyle came across as unsympathetic and damaging to their brand.
• 🔄 The script recommends a more thoughtful and authentic approach to brand building, suggesting that the D'Amelios should focus on what they genuinely care about and connect with their audience on a deeper level.

Q & A

Who is Charlie D'Amelio and what is her claim to fame?

Charlie D'Amelio is a Connecticut high schooler who became famous on TikTok for her dance videos. She quickly broke the platform and the Guinness World Record as the first person with 50 million followers on TikTok in April 2020, then 100 million in November 2020.

What is the concept of 'pretty privilege' as discussed in the script?

The concept of 'pretty privilege' refers to the advantages that attractive people are perceived to have in society, which can include opportunities in Hollywood, business ventures, and endorsements. The script suggests that Charlie D'Amelio was 'dealt with everything anyone could ever ask to be successful', including a beautiful face and body.

What are some of the business ventures that the D'Amelio family embarked on?

The D'Amelio family embarked on various business ventures including a makeup line with Morphe, a collaboration drink with Dunkin' Donuts, a fragrance line, a nail polish collection, a mattress, a footwear brand, a skin hair brand, and a popcorn brand.

What was the title of Charlie D'Amelio's book and what was it about?

Charlie D'Amelio's book is titled 'Essentially Charlie: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping It Real'. It became a New York Times bestseller and is presumably about her life and experiences, given the title's suggestion of authenticity.

What is the main criticism of the D'Amelio brand as presented in the script?

The main criticism is that the D'Amelio brand lacks authenticity and connection with their audience. They are seen as launching too many brands without passion or a soulful connection, which leads to a lack of trust and likeability among their followers.

How does the script suggest the D'Amelio sisters could improve their brand?

The script suggests that the D'Amelio sisters should make a conscious decision about whether they want to be influencers or celebrities, be more self-aware, stop launching brands without passion, and create something sustainable and thoughtful that aligns with their core interests.

What is the significance of the 'Two Chicks' podcast mentioned in the script?

The 'Two Chicks' podcast is significant as it represents an attempt by the D'Amelio sisters to stay relevant and connect with their audience. However, the script implies that it might not have been a thoughtful venture and was one of many attempts at monetizing their fame.

What is the script's view on the D'Amelio family's reality TV show?

The script views the D'Amelio family's reality TV show as an attempt to emulate the Kardashians' success but criticizes it for lacking authenticity and being out of touch with their audience's reality.

What does the script suggest as a potential area of focus for Charlie D'Amelio based on her initial dream?

The script suggests that Charlie D'Amelio's initial dream was related to dance, and her appearance on 'Dancing With the Stars' was a great move that aligned well with her core interests. It proposes that she could create a product related to dance or athletic gear that prevents injury.

How does the script analyze the concept of 'pretty privilege' failing someone with a terrible brand?

The script analyzes the concept by showing that even with significant advantages like beauty and opportunities, a person can still fail if their brand lacks authenticity, self-awareness, and a connection with their audience. It uses the D'Amelio sisters as an example of this failure.

What is the script's final takeaway message about building a successful brand?

The script's final takeaway is that building a successful brand requires good intentions, authenticity, and hard work. It emphasizes the importance of creating a brand that resonates with one's audience and aligns with one's passions and values.