"Dying to be Famous" on BET+ takes influencing and online stardom to killer heights.
The BET+ Original film, Dying to Be Famous will premiere on Thursday, October 3, 2024 exclusively on BET+. This film follows London Samuels, a desperate social media influencer goes to extreme measures to achieve mainstream fame.
Scenes In Color was able to preview the film ahead of release. From the very first scene, this movie is entertaining and engaging. The movie takes viewers right on screen with a very vibrant, attractive, and likeable influencer showcasing her bubbly lifestyle and new beau online to her large group of followers.
The film then takes a turn, showcasing just how unsafe and dangerous opening up your personal life online can be. Having the places you visit, friends you associate with, kind of car you drive, and more information about your life be broadcasted to thousands of strangers online weekly can come with a multitude of risk. However, for some, the risk are minimal and all but forgotten in lieu of their dire quest to be rich, famous, and loved by their followers online.
As the story unfolds, audiences are given a view into what the daily life for an influencer is like once the camera goes off. After the lavish photoshoots, hot parties, and glam and glitz is posted for eager followers online, things like insecurity, desperation to stay or become relevant, schemes, and mental health issues all take center stage. This film does not dim the lights or hold back when presenting just how dark it can be for those who constantly seek relevance online.
The writers and actors do a phenomenal job using relatable dialogue along with authentic acting to display how desensitized and disassociated people of all ages and ethnicities can become when they start to see everything online as reality. Like many people who are addicted to internet stardom or influencing in real life, several of these characters in this movie will stop at nothing to achieve a certain status online or go viral. These characters see brand deals, follower counts, and making headlines as the number 1 priority regardless of health issues, feeling genuine emotions, caring about safety, or pausing for crises that may be going on in real life.
Dying to be Famous stars:
Reyna Love as LONDON SAMUELS
Tami Roman as DARLENE SAMUELS
Blue Kimble as GAVIN WALKER
Nadia Adelay as ERICA MARKS
Lonnie Bee as JAY THE ICON
Jazz Anderson as KASH MONET
Zonnique as TORI COX
AL B. SURE as PREACHER
Dying to be Famous will keep audiences engaged and wowed as drama, petty antics, affairs, and scandals play out on screen. However desperate these influencers are to reach fame and stay on top, the more there seems that something more sinister is at play.
Lead actress Reyna Love is believable in her portrayal of 24 year old overly ambitious, often unhinged, and “stop at nothing” to reach stardom online influencer London Samuels in this gripping and thrilling drama. A host of side characters also help to entertain and drive the plot forward with authentic portrayals of attractive influencers, designers, managers, and stylist in the entertainment industry. Another noteworthy and standout performance in the film came from actor Lonnie Bee in his role as Jay the Icon.
Follow along and watch how far some are willing to go in the name of online stardom and fame. Dying to be Famous premieres this week on October 3, 2024 on BET+.