[Thesis defense] 06/01/2025 - Judith CACERES: "YouTube stars - Elements for an understanding of the celebrity phenomenon of video content creators broadcast on the Youtube platform" (UPR LCC)

Judith CACERES will submit her thesis on 6 January 2025 on the subject of "YouTube stars - Elements for an understanding of the phenomenon of celebrity among creators of video content broadcast on the YouTube platform".

Laboratory

UPR 7542 - Culture and Communication Laboratory

Composition of the jury

Ms VIRGINIE SPIES	Avignon University	Thesis supervisor
Ms Laurence LEVENEUR	Toulouse Capitole University	Rapporteur
Mr Julien PEQUIGNOT	University Paul Valéry Montpellier 3	Rapporteur
Marie-France CHAMBAT-HOUILLON	University of Paris-Panthéon-Assas	Examiner
Ms Dominique PASQUIER	CNRS	Examiner
Mr Emmanuel ETHIS	CNAM Inseac	Examiner
Mr Éric TRIQUET	Avignon University	Examiner

Summary

The YouTube platform has given everyone a global platform, paving the way for a new freedom of expression where every user can become a creator for millions of viewers. Founded in 2005 by Steven Chen, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim, YouTube has revolutionised access to visibility and led to the emergence of a new type of celebrity: the youtuber. These creators from all walks of life captivate a wide audience, and embody a new model of fame based on proximity and emotional connection. The YouTube platform has transformed intimacy into a media space where self-narration becomes a strategic asset for achieving fame. From now on, anyone can become a creator from their bedroom and reach a large audience. This model overturns the traditional frameworks of media production by bypassing the traditional circuits of celebrity. But behind this apparent accessibility lies a complexity that requires youtubers to master the codes and standards of the platform. The path from amateur passion to professionalism is a demanding one. Despite their success in France, youtubers face a fragile legitimacy, particularly in the traditional media. Often judged on their digital popularity rather than the quality of their content, they are perceived as ambivalent figures, both seductive and disturbing. The French magazine press, embodied by titles such as Télé 7 Jours, Télérama and Elle, plays an active role in shaping their image, combining fascination with and scepticism about these new players on the media scene. This thesis explores the celebrity of youtubers through an analysis of media discourse, examining the way in which the general press constructs their public image and participates in the development of a new form of notoriety. By studying media accounts and shedding light on the reticence or admiration they arouse, this research aims to gain a better understanding of the socio-cultural issues raised by the rise of youtubers. In the digital age, these creators embody a new dynamic of celebrity, where proximity, authenticity and the ability to interact redefine the relationship between media figures and the public.

Keywords Celebrity, YouTube, Media, Semiotics, Enunciation, Discourse analysis