In a compelling new film, a 16-year-old small town boy becomes a star thanks to livestreaming and an ever-changing new world opens up
Sometime between 2016 and 2017 – a distinct period, if you follow the rapid hot and colds of social media platforms – 16-year-old Austyn Tester filmed a video just for himself. Shirtless in front of a wall in his Kingsport, Tennessee, home, Tester flicks his hair with barely contained excitement. After months of live-streaming his middle
American high school life on YouNow, cultivating a following of teenage girls who tuned into him lip-syncing, dancing, or just hanging out, Tester received interest from a talent manager. Clutching himself and spinning around, he tumbles through a series of revelations. “This is before I’m famous!” He leans into the selfie lens. “It is 10:06pm. I’m not famous right now. Hopefully I’ll be famous soon.”
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