Maya Hawke stated that actors’ social media following is now a significant factor in casting decisions made by some producers and in whether a film can be produced.
In a recent appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast,” the 26-year-old actress, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, shared that her parents prioritized protecting her privacy during her upbringing.Â
She observed that actors are now expected to share more of their personal lives due to the impact of social media, with follower count increasingly influencing their careers.
“The line between actor and celebrity has become very blurred,” the “Stranger Things” star remarked. “In some ways, a celebrity is someone whose personality is the main attraction. I always wanted to be an actor where the work is the draw, not the person. However, the industry is evolving, and one must adapt to these changes where boundaries are getting blurred.”
Maya Hawke mentioned that some producers are now considering actors’ Instagram followings in casting decisions. (Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Hawke pointed out that “there are amazing actors I admire whose personal lives are well-known.” She acknowledged that for some, navigating the industry now involves adapting to “changing times of social media and public persona, as well as the challenges in getting projects funded.”
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She disclosed that some producers require the cast’s combined Instagram followers to meet a specific threshold for a project to proceed.
“I personally don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks. But, if you have a certain number of followers, you can secure funding for a movie,” the actress explained. “It’s a confusing balance to navigate.”
Hawke is the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Hawke shared that she had conversations with many directors about deleting her Instagram account, but they cautioned against it as it could impact casting decisions.
“Directors have told me that when casting with certain producers, they are given a follower count target for the cast, so if you delete your account and lose those followers, it affects who they need to cast around you,” she revealed.
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Nevertheless, Hawke mentioned that a few directors are exceptions to this trend of prioritizing cast members’ social media following in casting decisions.
The actress revealed she was advised against deleting her Instagram account. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
“There are a few directors, maybe around ten, who have established reputations and proven their abilities, giving them the freedom and privacy they need,” she elaborated.
“They don’t need a battalion of BTS personnel filming every move and requiring you to document peeling an orange on set,” Hawke continued.Â
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“You can truly focus and collaborate on creating a film with them,” she added. “I’ve had the privilege to work with three such directors in my career: Quentin Tarantino, Bradley Cooper, and Wes Anderson.”
Hawke mentioned how the collective social media following of the cast can impact the production of certain movies. (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)
In 2019, Hawke starred in Tarantino’s comedy-drama film “Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood.” She appeared in Cooper’s 2023 biographical movie “Maestro,” based on legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein’s relationship with his wife Felicia Montealegre. Hawke was part of the ensemble cast in Anderson’s 2023 science fiction comedy drama “Asteroid City.”
Hawke currently has 8.9 million followers on Instagram.
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