The Making of a Local Internet Celebrity in a Low-Income Region: A Sociological Analysis of Ding Zhen and Dishi
Abstract
Celebrity economy, as a rapidly emerging form of digital economy, has developed alongside the expansion of internet platforms and social media. This study examines the process of persona construction in the celebrity economy by comparing two Chinese internet celebrities, Dishi and Ding Zhen. Dishi is known for his adventurous travel vlogs across China, while Ding Zhen became famous for his sincere and simple image as a young Tibetan man from Li Tang in western China. Through both structural and thematic content analysis, this study explores how different media strategies contribute to the formation of distinct online personas. The findings show that Dishi constructs an adventurous and reflective traveler image through long self-recorded videos, casual language, and personal storytelling. In contrast, Ding Zhen presents an authentic and pure native image through short professionally produced videos highlighting local scenery and culture. These contrasting personas attract different audiences and demonstrate how authenticity and media presentation shape celebrity success in the digital era.
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