Plain promotions or espousing causes close to their hearts, celebs are using social media to great effect

Mona

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Trust Angelina Jolie to be a trendsetter in whatever she does — her Instagram debut made her amass five million followers within 24 hours! The number game aside, that she chose to become the ‘voice’ of the Afghans in these testing times only elevates her celeb status.

“This is a letter I got from a teenage girl in Afghanistan. Right now, the people of Afghanistan are losing their ability to communicate on social media and to express themselves freely. So, I’ve come on Instagram to share their stories and the voices of those across the globe, who are fighting for their basic human rights,” was Jolie’s first post, where she shared the handwritten letter with a picture of women.

Pure belief

Jolie isn’t the only celeb to have joined the social party late. Friends’ fame Jennifer Aniston made her Instagram debut in October 2019 and gained a million followers within the first five hours! While the fans sure are divided between Jolie and Aniston, the two former wives of Brad Pitt, they both use the medium to promote what they believe in. Aniston has also used the platform to raise a voice in support of Black Lives Matter and generate awareness through the pandemic.

Ron Weasley of Harry Potter films, Rupert Grint became the fastest to gain one million followers on Instagram in November 2020 in just four hours and one minute. “Hey Instagram… Only 10 years late, but here I am. Grint on the Gram! Here to introduce you all to Wednesday G. Grint. Stay safe, Rupert,” was his first post with his daughter, Wednesday. Not many posts since then, Grint stands at 4.4 million followers.

Not only had Grint broken Aniston’s fastest to a million record, but also naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who took to Instagram at 94, and gained his first million followers in four hours and 44 minutes in September 2020. Aniston’s million took five hours and 16 minutes.

On record

Meanwhile, Taeil Moon created a Guinness World Record by gaining one million followers on Instagram in record time. South Korean boyband NCT’s member, Taeil made the smashing Insta debut in July 2021. Actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio is also addressing issues related to wildlife through his staggering 49.5m followers on Instagram.

The fastest million club has a royal entry too with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex; they bagged their first million followers, in 2019, within five hours and 45 minutes. Since then, the ‘royals’ have kept their 10.1 million followers engaged with the causes close to their heart. The royal watchers, however, await the first glimpse of Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor!

Indian celebs have also used social platforms to promote various causes. While Priyanka Chopra has been vocal in her humanitarian support while also sharing shots of her fairytale life with her 67.5m followers, rather late on the scene was Katrina Kaif, who is now promoting the cause of girls’ education.