Pop Prophets: How Celebrity Culture Shapes Gen Z's Worldview

Author

• Olivia G. Usie, University of MississippiFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-7-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Integrated Marketing Communication

First Advisor

Christina Sparks

Second Advisor

Brad Conaway

Third Advisor

Andrea Hickerson

Relational Format

Thesis

Abstract

Generation Z has grown up in a social environment shaped by constant connectivity, digital communication, and immediate access to the lives of others. Because of this, celebrity culture and pop culture may play a larger role in shaping attitudes, behaviors, and identity than they did for previous generations. This study explores how celebrity culture shapes Gen Z’s worldview through four areas: pop culture, celebrity, herd mentality, and cancel culture.

A mixed-method approach was used. Quantitative data was collected through a 28-question survey of 202 participants ages 18–25. Qualitative data was gathered through one focus group of eight participants and three professional interviews in the fields of fandom research, digital marketing, and sociology. Survey data was analyzed through percentages and trends, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic coding.

The findings suggest that Generation Z is deeply immersed in digital culture, but influence is more complex than perceived. Pop culture was found to shape communication, humor, routines, and shared experiences. Celebrity influence has also shifted, with participants placing greater value on authenticity, relatability, and shared values than traditional status alone. Results further suggest that digital environments can encourage herd mentality through repeated exposure and social pressure. Perceptions of cancel culture were mixed, with participants recognizing both its role in accountability and its potential for excessive judgment. Professional interviews further suggested that many forms of influence may be more embedded than users fully recognize. Overall, this study concludes that Generation Z is not passively consuming media but actively engaging with it in ways that both reflect and shape identity. However, this engagement takes place within digital systems that blur the line between personal choice and social influence.

Recommended Citation

Usie, Olivia G., "Pop Prophets: How Celebrity Culture Shapes Gen Z's Worldview" (2026). Honors Theses. 3481.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3481

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.