More money, less awareness: how fame is making celebrities tone deaf

As influencers grow in wealth and fame, their increasing distance from the realities of their followers leads to a shift in how they perceive the world around them. So much so that two 30 year old’s get rich off of laughing at fart jokes and claiming Greta Thunbergs’ legacy to be “lisbon, lesbian ‘I shouldn’t be up here.'”

Influencers often navigate a realm that feels worlds apart from the everyday experiences of most people. In their bubble, the daily struggles and pressing political issues tend to fade into the background, leading to perspectives that can seem shockingly out of touch with reality..

After a month of radio silence, Drew and Enya finally made their return to the podcasting scene with their show, Emergency Intercom. However, the episode felt like a missed opportunity, as they seemed out of touch and resorted to cringeworthy attempts at humor. It was striking to see them transform into the very influencers they once criticized, coming across as overly dismissive and disinterested in their audience.

Listening to the episode was like being let in on an inside joke meant solely for the two of them. Known for their edgy commentary, they took some bizarre swipes at Greta Thunberg and her relentless fight for climate change awareness, seemingly oblivious to the weight of their words. This thoughtless attitude didn’t sit well with their fans, sparking immediate backlash across social media as listeners expressed their disbelief and disappointment. It was a jarring disconnect that left many wondering if Drew and Enya still understood their platform and the impact it has on their audience.

In their latest podcast episode, Enya couldn’t help but make some snide comments about young climate activist Greta Thunberg. “Go to school and be normal,” she quipped at one point. Later, she added sarcastically, “She [Greta] was literally in school, learned about Malala, and thought, ‘Wait, there’s a method to the madness! I’m really into sustainability; maybe this will get me out of class.’”

But Enya’s attempt to draw a parallel between Greta and Malala reveals a startling ignorance. Unlike Greta, Malala never “fell off.” The world knows her story — shot in the head for daring to stand up for girls’ right to education at just 12 years old. Her courageous fight paved the way for millions of girls to claim their right to learn and grow. Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg has turned the climate conversation on its head. By framing the issue as a “climate crisis,” she transformed it from a slow-burning concern into an urgent call to action. Starting with her solitary school strike in 2018, she rallied millions of young people around the globe, giving rise to the Fridays for Future movement. Greta’s unapologetic and unwavering advocacy has held world leaders accountable and sparked unprecedented attention to this emergency, proving that youth-led movements can kickstart real change on an international scale.

Enya and Drew are so dangerously removed from the real world that they don’t even possess this basic understanding. Instead, throughout the podcast, they speak of being high and drunk all hours of the day as if it’s quirky and revolutionary. They pose as artists and comedians.

This incident underscores a worrying trend in the influencer world: as they gain wealth, followers, and fame, many lose sight of the pressing issues that matter to their audiences. With brands eager to sponsor them and luxury experiences within reach, social justice, climate change, and inequality appear to fade into the background. What once felt like a relatable voice turns into a stage for shallow humor and aloof commentary, all in a bid to cultivate a brand image that resonates with the masses.

Drew and Enya’s tone-deaf approach highlights a critical risk for influencers chasing fame and fortune: the danger of alienating their followers. The more they detach from everyday struggles, the harder it becomes for them to connect with the very issues that resonate deeply with their audience. This growing disconnect not only diminishes the sense of authenticity that helped elevate them but also undermines their credibility.

Their die-hard fans quickly called out their misguided commentary, making it clear that the audience is increasingly aware of the need for genuine engagement over superficial banter.

Honestly, I agree, the two should put down their phones and enroll in literally any college course.