Kusha Kapila, a prominent figure in the digital content creation space and an actor, has firmly responded to a viral meme that took a dig at influencers attending the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The meme, which circulated widely on social media platforms, labeled influencers as “random celebrities” who merely grace the red carpet for photo opportunities without engaging with the cinematic essence of the festival.
The meme in question featured a collage juxtaposing a scene from a Hollywood television show with images of Kusha Kapila, along with actor Urvashi Rautela and YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. The clip from the show satirically portrayed influencers as individuals who attend red carpet events, take pictures, and leave without participating in the actual film screenings. This was accompanied by commentary seemingly reflecting a sentiment that has been gaining traction regarding the presence of influencers at such high-profile events.
Kusha Kapila, who attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, did not take the jibe lying down. She addressed the meme directly in the comments section of the post, which has since been deleted but whose screenshots are now circulating online. In her response, Kapila pointed out the inaccuracy of the meme, stating, “You have taken a picture of mine from 2023, slapped on a meme that you are likely making about this year’s Cannes film festival.”
She further defended her attendance at the festival last year, clarifying that she did indeed attend the screening of the show “The Idol,” watched two episodes, and even shared an honest review online, contrary to the implication that influencers only attend for red carpet appearances. “For context, I actually did attend the screening that day for the show, The Idol, and sat through two episodes of the show and also posted an honest review. It was a terrible show. I posted pictures and stories from inside the screening so no, I didn’t just exit from the red carpet,” she asserted.
Kapila also addressed the broader issue of brand sponsorships at Cannes, stating that the practice of companies sponsoring celebrities and actors to walk the red carpet has been a long-standing tradition, not a trend started by creators or influencers. “Historically companies HAVE sponsored celebrities and actors to walk the red carpet. Brands buy the ticket for the red carpet. Title sponsors of the event can have their ambassadors walk on the carpets. It’s not a trend started by creators/influencers,” she explained.
Drawing a firm line against being labeled a “random celebrity,” Kusha Kapila emphasized her identity as a content creator. “Calling me out for not yet making a mark as an actor is fair, I will keep trying and take that on my chin but please don’t refer to me as a random celebrity. Calling someone’s entire existence random is not cool. I am a creator. Call me that please. It’s a meme for you. For me, it’s my identity,” she wrote.
Her strong response has ignited further discussion on the role and legitimacy of influencers at prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival. While some traditionalists believe the focus should remain solely on cinema and filmmakers, others argue that the inclusion of content creators brings a fresh perspective and wider reach to the festival. Kapila’s assertive stance highlights the evolving landscape of entertainment and the increasing recognition of the impact and influence wielded by content creators in the digital age.