In 2018, the beloved Hollywood actress Julia Roberts made a significant decision by joining Instagram. Her motivation was partly driven by her children’s encouragement, as they thought it would be exciting for her to engage on the platform.
Much like Julia, actor John Travolta was also inspired by his daughter to become more active on social media. While embracing this new digital landscape, Julia wanted to find a delicate balance between accessibility and privacy.
She admired the approach Sarah Jessica Parker took to meaningful online interactions.
To navigate social media cautiously, Julia adopted a selective approach. She restricted comments on her posts to her followers, a group of about 18 people at the time.
However, the dark side of social media quickly reared its head. Julia faced harsh criticism after posting a candid photo with her niece, Emma Roberts.
While the image captured an authentic moment of joy, Julia was subjected to unkind comments about her appearance—an experience that left her vulnerable and hurt.
Reflecting on the incident, Julia recognized the harmful impact such negativity can have, especially on young people. She acknowledged the corrosive nature of social media but found solace in the supportive messages from users defending her against the wave of criticism.
Julia’s first Instagram post, a simple greeting, was met with warmth and affection. Yet, the episode with her niece highlighted the intense scrutiny public figures, particularly women, face when it comes to their appearance in the public eye.
