A former influencer has warned future internet stars that “social media doesn’t last forever” – detailing his fall from rich and famous to “losing everything”.
Taylor Penif He once spent his days partying in Los Angeles with celebrities and traveling with other members of MAGCON, a group made up of social media stars who hosted meet-and-greets for fans.
However, as quickly as the 28-year-old rose to fame, he became “completely irrelevant” when social media app Vine disappeared and a new wave of influencers took over.
Now, the former online sensation has warned current and upcoming influencers about the realities of being famous while suggesting they don’t follow in her footsteps.
A former influencer has warned future internet stars that “social media doesn’t last forever” – detailing his fall from rich and famous to “losing everything”.
Taylor Caniff Once Spent Her Days Partying In Los Angeles With Celebrities And Touring With Fellow MAGCON Members (Seen)
However, as quickly as the 28-year-old rose to fame, he became “completely irrelevant” when social media app Vine disappeared and a new wave of influencers took over.
He opened up about his experience in a viral video, which has so far garnered over 6.9 million views.
He began by responding to a video made by another social media user who wondered what happened to stars who “dropped out, moved to Los Angeles, then became irrelevant.”
“No, because it’s so real. This TikTok is so real. For most of you watching this, you probably have no idea who I am, but I fit every one of these characters,” he said at the start of the video.
“It’s completely irrelevant now, I don’t have a college degree, I didn’t even go to high school. I don’t even have a GED. I literally lost everything. I literally lost everything.
In 2014, Taylor was at the height of his career, he was part of a boy band known as MAGCON, which also featured social media stars Cameron Dallas and Nash Grier, and was touring across the world, even reaching Netflix.
By 2020, his wealth and fame had diminished and he found himself in a dizzying spiral.
In the clip, the ex-influencer further explained his life as an online sensation. He emphasized that he loves life in the spotlight, especially the perks that come with it.
“During those years, I threw the craziest parties, I had the craziest ego. I had Lambos, a big house here, throwing parties for all these celebrities and everything,” he explained.
“And before you know it, I’ve lost everything.”
When his money and fame declined, Taylor moved back to his parents in Indiana, went through a “bad depression” and even struggled with addiction.
He opened up about his experience in a viral video, which has so far garnered over 6.9 million views.
He said that later in life one would realize “you have to live a long time and social media doesn’t last forever.”
Taylor — who now works in marketing — noted that while he was “lucky” to have a second chance at life, he wanted to warn future influencers of what was to come.
He added: “I am making this video for new and upcoming influencers. If you can finish your degree, do it. I remember when I was an influencer and I was at my peak, I didn’t care about college and stuff like that, saying that my teachers never believed in me. This, that and the other.
“And they were most certainly right.”
Taylor added that when you’re at the height of your fame, you think you’ll never go back to your normal life.
However, he said that later in life one would realize that one has to live a long time and that social media does not last forever.
The 28-year-old explained that social media didn’t teach you how to bounce back.
“And that’s one thing social media doesn’t teach you is how to pivot and come up with a second game plan,” he said before noting that today’s influencers are now trying to build brands for continue their legacy.
He added: “I know this won’t last forever, no matter how big you are. I have been around them all, especially in Los Angeles for 10 years.
“I’ve been around some of the biggest influencers and watched them lose it all.”
At the end of the clip, Taylor said he started a job in marketing and worked with Airbnb. He has since returned to Los Angeles.
Taylor rose to fame through short-form video and the now-defunct Vine app.
Netizens flooded the comments section and praised him for his “mature” attitude and honesty.
And although the app took off in 2013, it shut down in 2017 and left behind a large number of social media creators who had large fan bases through the platform.
Under Taylor’s video, people flooded the comments section and praised him for his “mature” attitude and honesty.
One person said: “This is actually such a mature take. »
Another user added: “The transparency is pretty nice to be honest.”
“(I) really appreciate your transparency on all of this,” someone else commented.
One user wrote: “This is really sweet actually. Amazing article.
After Vine shut down, video-sharing app TikTok, launched in 2016, provided a new platform for influencers.
A lot of people were thrust into the spotlight, including Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, Loren Gray and Avani Greg.
Many stars – who started by uploading dance videos to the app – then used their fame to create even more opportunities.
Charli, 19, and her sister Dixie, 22, have both started new careers thanks to TikTok, with young D’Amelio becoming the face of Dunkin’ and even appearing on Dancing With The Stars.
Meanwhile, Dixie used her fame through the video-sharing app to launch a singing career.
Many people have been thrust into the spotlight thanks to TikTok, including Charli D’Amelio (seen), Addison Rae, Loren Gray, and Avani Greg.
Meanwhile, Dixie used her fame from the video-sharing app to launch a singing career.
Addison also tried to capitalize on her success by using her fame as an influencer to launch a career in acting. However, their careers could be in jeopardy due to a possible ban.
The two sisters have since started a clothing and shoe company.
Addison also tried to capitalize on her success on TikTok by using her fame as an influencer to launch a career in acting.
The 23-year-old has since starred in various Netflix films such as He’s All That and Thanksgiving.
She also released a song and launched her own perfume line known as Addison Rae Fragrance as well as a makeup line known as Item Beauty, which has since been shuttered.
However, the influencers’ careers could soon come to a screeching halt due to the threat of a US ban by the video-sharing app over fears its Chinese owner poses a threat to national security.
For years, allegations have swirled that the Chinese Communist Party is using the video-sharing app to spy on the locations of its U.S. users and manipulate its algorithm to carry out influence campaigns.
Following a bipartisan 352-65 House vote, parent company ByteDance could be ordered to sell TikTok.