The Creator Takeover: How Content Creators Are Reshaping Hollywood

For years, content creators have been treated as outsiders by the entertainment industry. Hollywood, rooted in tradition and exclusivity, struggles to categorize them—often seeing digital creatives as a threat rather than an opportunity. Many, including Drew Afualo, have spoken out about the industry's reluctance to embrace content creators, with industry insiders making it clear they don’t see them as legitimate talent.

In this exclusive interview with Forbes, Drew Afualo dives deep into the entertainment industry's hesitation to fully embrace content creators. She shares her insights on the shifting media landscape, the challenges digital creators face in Hollywood, and why traditional industry gatekeepers are struggling to adapt. Watch as Drew breaks down the power of online influence and how creators are reshaping the future of entertainment.

While Hollywood maintains its gatekeeping structures, the content economy continues to thrive. Platforms like YouTube drive multi-billion-dollar revenues, while some traditional studios undergo financial restructuring to adapt to a shifting media landscape. Streaming services are losing subscribers, theatrical box office numbers are inconsistent, and network television is on life support. Meanwhile, content creators are shaping culture, commanding millions of dedicated viewers, and redefining what it means to be a public figure. The reality is clear: Hollywood is no longer ahead of the game—and its refusal to evolve is costing it.

The Youth Set the Trends—Not Hollywood

Hollywood has always prided itself on setting trends. But here’s the truth: it’s the youth who dictate culture, consumption, and influence.

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the most media-savvy generations yet, consuming more content than any other demographic. Studies show that Gen Z spends an average of 7.2 hours per day on their phones, favoring platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch over traditional TV and movies (SAN, 2023). For them, entertainment is interactive, fast-paced, and deeply personal. They don’t just watch content—they engage with it, remix it, and share it within digital communities.

Gen Alpha, the iPad generation, is growing up with even shorter attention spans and a demand for high engagement. They prefer user-generated content over polished, scripted productions because it feels more relatable and immersive (Williams, 2025). This shift means they are more likely to discover their favorite "celebrities" on TikTok than on the big screen.

Yet, Hollywood continues to target an aging audience, banking on nostalgia and legacy franchises instead of innovating. The industry is doubling down on sequels, reboots, and safe bets—catering to Millennials and Gen X while failing to capture the energy of younger audiences who consume the most media and ultimately shape the future of entertainment.

Content Creators Are the New Celebrities

The idea that content creators are "lesser than" traditional actors or filmmakers is outdated. Today, they are the new wave of celebrities.

• Keith Lee’s viral food reviews can make or break a restaurant overnight.

• MrBeast’s game show outperforms major network programming.

• Emma Chamberlain went from YouTube vlogs to being a global fashion icon.

These creators don’t just entertain; they shape industries. Their influence extends beyond social media, impacting business, culture, and even politics. Unlike traditional celebrities, content creators have direct relationships with their audiences, which makes them more influential than Hollywood’s manufactured stars.

The distinction between "content creators" and "industry professionals" is rapidly fading. More digital-first stars are moving into mainstream entertainment, securing acting roles, hosting gigs, and even producing their own films. The future of Hollywood isn’t about keeping creators out—it’s about integrating them in.

The Industry Shift is Unstoppable

Hollywood has two choices: adapt or become obsolete.

We’re already seeing the shift happen:
✔️ MrBeast launching his own game show
✔️YouTube and Tik Tok creators landing roles in films and TV shows – Jake Paul is set to premiere his show Paul American on HBO Max in March.
✔️ A surge in independent films and digital-first productions

This isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a new era of entertainment. We are in the Age of Aquarius, a time of decentralization where power is shifting away from traditional institutions and into the hands of individuals. The rise of user-generated content isn’t just inevitable—it’s already here.

The question is no longer whether content creators belong in Hollywood.

The real question is: Can Hollywood keep up?

Work Cited:
Afualo, Drew. "Drew Afualo on Digital Creators." Forbes, 2023, https://www.facebook.com/forbes/videos/drew-afualo-on-digital-creators/3991938464463568/.
"Gen Z Will Spend 112 Complete Days in 2024 on Their Phones: Report." SAN, 2023, https://san.com/cc/gen-z-will-spend-112-complete-days-in-2024-on-their-phones-report/.
“The Creator Economy Could Approach Half a Trillion Dollars by 2027.” Goldman Sachs, 19 July 2023, www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/the-creator-economy-could-approach-half-a-trillion-dollars-by-2027.html.
Aginto. “From Tech to Creativity: Exploring the Defining Traits of Gen Alpha.” Aginto Blog, 2024, blog.aginto.com/from-tech-to-creativity-exploring-the-defining-traits-of-gen-alpha.