Lily Gladstone, Colman Domingo and Billie Eilish among most influential 2024 Oscar nominees
Queer talent leads the charge in the Oscars when it comes to social media influence, according to new data.
New data has revealed the most influential 2024 Oscars nominees, with Lily Gladstone (she/they) crowned most influential actress and out gay actor Colman Domingo named most influential actor.
Experts at Venture Smarter analyzed the social media earning potential per sponsored Instagram post for the nominees for the four acting categories, directing, and music (original song). The nominees were then ranked to determine which are the most influential.
- Most Influential Actress: Lily Gladstone
The award for most influential actress goes to Lily Gladstone, as the Killers of the Flower Moon actress can make up to $3,300 per sponsored Instagram post. Gladstone is the first Native American to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress and the first to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress. In Killers of the Flower Moon, Gladstone plays Mollie Burkhart, an Osage Nation member, who endeavors to protect her community from a series of killings driven by oil profits and avarice.
- Most Influential Actor: Colman Domingo
The Rustin star is crowned the most influential actor, with an earning potential of $5,300 per post. Domingo plays Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr.’s advisor, who commits his life to pursuing racial equality, human rights, and global democracy. Despite his crucial role in shaping the civil rights movement, Rustin, as an openly gay Black man, faces marginalization and erasure from its history.
- Most Influential Supporting Actress: Danielle Brooks
Taking the top spot for the most influential supporting actress is The Color Purple star, with the ability to earn up to $17,600 for one post. In The Color Purple, Brooks portrays Sofia, a strong, independent woman, who challenges traditional gender roles and racial injustices in the American South during the early 20th century. She faces oppression and abuse but refuses to be subjugated, ultimately finding empowerment and resilience through her own inner strength and supportive community.
- Most Influential Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr.
With the potential to earn up to $186,800 per post is the Oppenheimer actor. The Iron Man actor stars as Lewis Strauss, United States Atomic Energy Commission member. Strauss attempts to sabotage the ‘father of the atomic bomb’, J. Robert Oppenheimer, by ruining his reputation due to his fervent dislike for the theoretical physicist.
- Most Influential Director: Martin Scorsese
The Killers of the Flower Moon director can make up to $13,800 for a single post. Scorsese has won the Oscar for Best Director once before in 2006 for his movie, The Departed. His directorial debut was in 1967 with Who’s That Knocking at My Door, and he has since gone on to direct many critically acclaimed and classic movies, including Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and The Wolf of Wall Street, to name a few.
- Most Influential Music (Original Song): Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
The brother and sister duo are the most influential original song nominees for their song ‘What Was I Made For?’ from Barbie. Billie can make up to $310,300 for one Instagram post and Finneas can earn up to $23,900 for a post. Eilish and O’Connell won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2022 for ‘No Time to Die’ from the James Bond movie of the same name. Eilish was the first person born in the 21st century to win an Oscar.
A spokesperson for Venture Smarter discussed the findings: “While the Oscars may recognize and award the best creators and performers in the acting industry, social media is a great method of analyzing the popularity and likeability of these actors, directors, and musicians, and their work.”
“Their significant platform allows them to spread messages far and wide, making them ideal targets for brands who leverage their popularity to promote their products or services.”
