The year was 2010 when the most anyone knew about their favorite celebrity was what they were wearing, where they were spotted grabbing lunch and seeing paparazzi pics galore in some cheap tabloid.

However, all of that changed when social media platforms like Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Snapchat grew in popularity.

The knowledge and inside scoop people had on celebrities was colossal. For the first time, the entertainer would have all of the control in the palm of their hand.

In this case, they would be able to let millions of subscribers see and know what they wanted them to. What started as pure fun has gotten many to hate celebrities altogether. My theory is that the immediate exposure turned into overexposure, taking a turn for the worse.

Celebrities went from inviting viewers into their homes for a 30-minute house tour on the early popular shows like “MTV Cribs” to giving intimate behind-the-scenes footage on vacations, private events and after parties.

The Kardashian-Jenner crew is the first to come to mind when I think of Snapchat. If you have ever been a follower of one (if not all) of them, you know what I’m referring to.

I don’t do much keeping up with them like I used to in the early days of their TV reign, but I’ve seen so much footage of birthday parties and annual holiday festivities you would think I have attended one or two before. But that’s the power of the digital age: celebrities have made us feel like we are on their guest list, which creates a parasocial relationship.

But there was a shift; followers went from admiring these celebs and their Instagram feeds to loathing them. This became clear during COVID-19.

While most people were quarantined in their homes, putting a pause on everyday life, a handful of the rich and famous went on like nothing happened. Was it insensitive for starlets and influencers to post bikini pictures with the caption “so thankful we could escape?” Absolutely.

It became clear to people that the resources they had were astronomical and enough to take their entire families via private jet to an isolated island in the middle of a global pandemic to make sure everyone’s mental health was okay.

Meanwhile, other people were going to war in grocery stores, fighting over the last rolls of toilet paper and cases of water. It’s as if we were living on two different planets.

As social media evolved and time went on, the more knowledge we gained about those in the industry heightened. Back in 2000, seeing the closet of Mariah Carey and the entirety of her residence was a big deal. Now it’s normal to have seen Gwyneth Paltrow’s home spa and Devin Booker’s vintage car collection thanks to Architectural Digest’s segment known as “Open Door” via YouTube.

Actress Dakota Johnson has a bowl of limes on her counter strictly just for show. How would I know this, you ask? Well, I went over for dinner last Thursday. All jokes aside, the things we know about the ones who grace our screens have gotten beyond personal.

The more information we’re fed, the more we become uninterested and bothered. Celebrities seem to be giving unsolicited commentary that has left them stranded on cancel culture island. To be honest, some things are better left unsaid.

I miss the days when all I knew about my favorite celeb was their favorite lipstick shade. Now I know way too much about Ben Affleck’s love life and have seen more public displays of affection than ever thanks to risqué photos on celeb couples’ Instagram accounts that should’ve never seen the light of day.

But I’m here to tell you that all is not lost in the world. Where you have oversharing, controversial celebrities, you also have celebrities minding their business, uninterested in selling you a product.

Former actress and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle shares her love for cooking, gardening and DIY tips on Netflix’s “With Love, Meghan.”

I’ve watched the show and will say I love it. Not only is the show aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it’s also inspiring, and seeing Markel assemble charcuterie boards is such a slay.

Apparently, I’m one of the few who thinks so. Many have taken to platforms speaking ill of Markle. I’ve read articles, forums and comments on Instagram and understand the elephant in the room no one wants to address.

It’s not Markle talking about flowers, beekeeping or candles that have everyone in a tizzy; it’s Markle living a life of quiet luxury. Whether it’s television or film, the media is only interested in seeing certain archetypes.

If any other celebrity who loved sharing lifestyle tips, like Jennifer Garner, had a show just like Markle’s, society would trade their ridicule and hate for support and excitement. When actress Selena Gomez premiered “Selena And Chef” on Max, most of the criticism circled around the show feeling too scripted, but overall, her audience found the content wholesome and appealing.

Nevertheless, the disdain around Markle’s lifestyle show is an example that it’s not always the celebrity being problematic and saying too much. It’s the viewers’ bitterness and jealousy that’s really the problem at hand.

She’s a former duchess, for crying out loud, the viewer not finding the show relatable is comical. We’ve gotten to a point where you must pick and choose what you think is annoying and over the top. Is Markle’s candle-making really what should be boiling your blood? Definitely not.

Sometimes, celebrities should say less, but sometimes, viewers should put out their torches.

Ava Francis is a 21-year-old journalism major from New Orleans residing in Texas.