Social Media: Open Letter to Celebrity Deaths

All forms of social media (photo/gosimplysocial.com)

Social media has been exploding this week with photographs, videos, and heart-felt posts mourning the loss of multiple celebrities. Social media outlets tend to be the place where fans can bond together to reflect on the wonderful artist work these celebrities have provided during their careers.

Music fans dedicated their Facebook pages, tweeted music lyrics, shared Instagram photos, and more honoring David Bowie. Days before his death, he released a new album. Fans shared the songs throughout their social media accounts, celebrating the work of the iconic musician.

David Bowie. (photo/davidbowie.com)

Harry Potter fans were shocked at the news that Alan Rickman, otherwise known as Severus Snape, passed away this past week. I first heard the news that the acclaimed British actor had died from my best friend’s Facebook. She commented that her childhood has been ruined, and multiple mutual friends commented with similar remarks. Harry Potter fans reunited on social media to reflect on their loss.

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in Harry Potter (photo/people.com)

Céline Dion’s name became a trending topic on social media when it was learned that her husband and manager had lost his battle to cancer. Fans of the Canadian singer commented on her Facebook page in support, and when her brother died three days later, fans went to social media to reflect and provide sympathy for Dion.

Dion with her husband (photo/abcnews.go.com)

Each celebrity became a trending topic this week, and a large part of this was because so many people were talking about the deaths on their social media accounts. It is so easy to share a photo on Facebook or retweet a message on Twitter. During this week, social media became an open letter to the celebrities lost, in which all of them lost battles to cancer.

News spread quickly on social media. That’s certainly how I learned about each death that happened this past week. Through the world of social media, these celebrities will never disappear. They will never lose their spark, and their influence will continue to be noted in each individual post.

Continue to share information on social media. Bond together with other fans. Keep the magic alive. That’s what social media is all about – sharing, reflecting, and honoring.

-KJL-