Net idol
A Net Idol is a Japanese term that is someone who achieves celebrity status through the internet. Unlike an Internet celebrity a net idol is more focused on Japanese pop culture.
History
An off-shoot of Japanese Idols, Net Idols, a new genre of idols, emerged in late 1990s. The first "cyber idol" or "virtual idol" was Kyoko Date in 1997. She has a fabricated history, statistics, and her own songs. Meanwhile, gurabia aidoru (グラビアアイドル, i.e. "[photo]gravure idols") such as Yoko Matsugane, Rio Natsume and Eiko Koike have largely appeared skimpily clad in "cheesecake" photographs.
Alternative & Fetish Models
Many mainstream talents found their start on the internet, especially alternative and fetish models, like Dita Von Teese, Tila Tequila, and Masuimi Max. Dita herself is attributed with having the first model site on the net in 1992. Tila can largely owe her fame to sites like Friendster and Myspace. Masuimi is currently transitioning from the net to mainstream through projects like David Lynch's Inland Empire, and hit reality TV shows like Fear Factor.
Cosplay Models
Through its Japanese roots, cosplay models in Japan, US, and throughout the world have begun to take on net idol status. Girls like Francesca Dani have branded themselves through conventions appearances, promotional work, and their websites to massive international followings.
Net Idols By Country
Philippines - Catherine Guittierez a.k.a. Alicia Mayer formerly known as Alicia Bonifacio is a Filipina celebrity. Born in the Philippines. She first gained fame through her personal website containing her sexy photos that eventually lead to her acting career and now a mom to be. She was crowned as Miss Internet Philippines and in 2007 Alicia posed for PETA wearing only a bikini made from lettuce as for her advocasy being a vegan or a vegitarian also against animal cruelty. Alicia was voted as sexiest vegitarian in the world on a poll for that said PETA ad,other stars who were on the same campaign were Pamela Anderson and Maggie Q.
Net Idols in Fiction
In the anime and manga, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei. Kotonon, one of the net idols in the show, in real life is obese and unattractive. Her website of heavily photoshopped images is extremely popular.
See also
References
- Von Teese, Dita (2006). Burlesque and the Art of the Teese. Regan Books. ISBN
- "Declaration of a cyber-doll". 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
{{cite news}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - Lukacs, Gabriella (2007-05-31). "The Net Idols: New Forms of Creative Employment and Neoliberal Labor Subjectivities in 1990s Japan". AAS Annual Meeting. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
- HIDETSUGU, ENAMI (2007-05-31). "Show biz exploits 'volunteerism' image in packaging of latest teen idol". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2007-05-31.