Emma Chamberlain by

Emma Chamberlain interviews Jack Harlow at the Met Gala for Vogue (2022)

201712424 — 2025-10-07 10:35:11 UTC

Emma Chamberlain and rapper Jack Harlow's awkward interaction at the 2022 Met Gala triggered a viral moment for the American influencer. At the end of the interview, Chamberlain reacts with a wide-eyed expression and laughter as Harlow says 'love you' to her before he leaves. Her response captured audiences that found it to be both relatable and humorous.

One of the top comments on Vogue's Youtube video of Chamberlain's Met Gala interview

201712424 — 2025-10-07 10:38:39 UTC

Her reaction is hailed as 'real' by her fans, suggesting that it is one they can relate to and identify with.

Youtube video: '$450 GUCCI T-SHIRT' (21st July 2017)

201712424 — 2025-10-07 11:15:11 UTC

Emma Chamberlain captures a moment that will be relatable to much of her audience, when she goes into a Gucci shop and finds the clothing to be too expensive. She resolves the issue by creating her own 'Gucci' t-shirt with easily accessible products and materials that her audience could remake for themselves.

Emma Chamberlain founded coffee company 'Chamberlain Coffee' in 2020

201712424 — 2025-10-08 11:13:55 UTC

Since her early Youtube career, Emma Chamberlain has frequently talked about her genuine love and passion for coffee, and so the drink has become a central aspect of her image. The release of Chamberlain Coffee poses as a reflection of this core part of her personality and lifestyle.

'Chamberlain Coffee' opens its first coffee shop in Los Angeles

201712424 — 2025-10-08 11:16:13 UTC

Screenshot from the 'Chamberlain Coffee' website

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Emma Chamberlain ensures that her personality shines through even on her coffee company's website as she talks about her passion for and connection to coffee in a humorous way.

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The two things that she initially became known best for - Youtube and her love for coffee - are the two things that she labels as her 'passions'. Unlike her various brand deals, these are not just about paying the bills and are what she truly cares about, resonating with her fanbase who have been with her from the beginning.

'Anything Goes' podcast

201712424 — 2025-10-08 11:36:53 UTC

Recorded from the comfort of her own home, Emma Chamberlain explores candid topics such as her struggles with PCOS and mental health, allowing her audience a personal insight into her life and some of her 'deepest thoughts'.

1. 'RELATABLE GIRL' IMAGE

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4. AUTHENTICITY

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2. INFLUENCE IN FASHION

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5. CHAMBERLAIN AS AN 'ENTREPENEUR'

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When she was 16 making Youtube videos in her mum's San Francisco home, her style largely consisted of thrifted items of clothing - pieces that were sustainable and affordable and also resembled the clothing that girls like her (those her age, also still in high school and living with their parents) would wear and that were accessible to them.

Recognisable editing style

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Chamberlain adopted a unique, recognisable, 'DIY' editing style where she would use chaotic jump cuts and awkward pauses. Additionally, she'd often include unfiltered 'behind the scenes' snippets that she would title 'me editing' - these were candid moments of her editing in her house where she would often use self-deprecating humour towards her videos as well as pointing out her flaws, therefore enhancing her relatable, 'regular girl' persona.

Jimmy Fallon Interview (2022)

201712424 — 2025-10-09 11:14:41 UTC

Discussing her viral moment, Chamberlain says that she is 'blank' when she does interviews, conveying the sense that this was her unfiltered, authentic reaction to Harlow's surprising comment.

Rolling Stone Interview (2023)

201712424 — 2025-10-09 11:28:44 UTC

She maintains her authentic, 'regular girl' persona through her 'giddiness' amongst the chaos of Spotify executives fussing over her. It is also clear that this authentic image she has built for herself is not reserved just for the camera, but persists in off-camera moments too.

Comments on Instagram post of 'Chamberlain Coffee' shop opening

201712424 — 2025-10-09 11:40:52 UTC

Chamberlain has built such a strong identity for herself, that fans are congratulating her and saying how 'proud' they are of her, insinuating that they know just how much this means to her thanks to her authenticity and honesty online.

Yelp reviews of the 'Chamberlain Coffee' shop

201712424 — 2025-10-09 11:47:35 UTC

Despite fan excitement surrounding the opening of Chamberlain's coffee shop, it has not proven popular commercially. Many criticisms focus on the high prices of the drinks sold, which can appear out of touch and contradictory to the 'relatable girl' image she has curated over the years.

'Anything Goes' episode (5th October 2025)

201712424 — 2025-10-09 11:59:28 UTC

She is honest about the fact that she is 'sensitive' to negative comments about herself online, but she insists on keeping her own unique, personal style so that she can stay true to her authentic self.

'Anything Goes' episode (9th February 2025)

201712424 — 2025-10-09 12:10:48 UTC

Emma Chamberlain wants to be honest and open with her audience about her struggles with mental health, and does this within this episode by recounting a story of her 'public meltdown' despite labelling it as both 'traumatizing' and 'embarrassing' for her.

Some of the top comments on the Youtube video of the episode

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Audiences personally identify with Chamberlain's struggles and find her to be both relatable and a source of comfort.

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Whilst fans' frequent attempts to recreate Chamberlain's outfits (particularly her thrifted/more accessible ones) on social media reflects the influencer's cultural relevance, it also contributes to the construction of her star image by positioning her as a 'fashion icon' for youth audiences online.

Tik tok of a fan recreating one of her looks (2020)

201712424 — 2025-10-11 13:27:47 UTC

Even Chamberlain's most simplistic, effortless looks are hailed as 'iconic' by fans. This particular look is also attainable for audiences, once again contributing to the construction of her authentically cool and relatable star image.

Tik tok of a fan recreating one of her looks (2024)

201712424 — 2025-10-11 13:43:24 UTC

The title 'how to dress like Emma Chamberlain' is a nod to Chamberlain's influence on fashion, demonstrating that her style is something to aspire to and therefore reinforces her fashion icon status.

Emma Chamberlain Gets Ready for the Balenciaga Show (6th October 2025)

201712424 — 2025-10-11 14:19:58 UTC

Audiences get 'behind the scenes' access to Chamberlain getting ready for a high profile fashion event, providing them with personal insight into her life. She also chats to the people around her throughout, making jokes about things her audience will relate to (for example, being on Instagram reels instead of doing work) enhancing her normal-girl persona.

PORTER magazine cover (2022)

201712424 — 2025-10-14 10:42:24 UTC

This cover draws readers in with the promise of Chamberlain 'being real' - she will be discussing personal topics such as a vulnerability and therefore showing her audience her deepest thoughts and most authentic self.

6. SCANDALS

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Seventeen article (22nd June 2020)

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Chamberlain faced criticism in 2020 for a 'racially insensitive' post - she subsequently deleted the post and apologised, however this scandal is inconsistent with her star image built on authenticity and honesty.

Cosmpolitan article (22nd March 2023)

201712424 — 2025-10-14 11:13:54 UTC

Chamberlain faced another scandal in 2023 when rumours of her charging $10,000 for an Instagram DM surfaced, which again conflicts with her image of relatability and being a 'normal girl'.

Independent article (19th April 2023)

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Chamberlain's response to her controversies poses as an attempt to re-align herself with her authentic star persona, as her acknowledgement of her mistakes and admittance that she is 'not a perfect person' can be seen as both honest and perhaps relatable for her audience.

GQ Interview - Emma Chamberlain and Role Model

201712424 — 2025-10-14 11:32:57 UTC

Audiences get a personal insight into Chamberlain's private sphere - they are given the opportunity for exclusive access into the details of her relationship with singer Role Model, allowing them to feel closer to the star.

Some of the comments on the episode's Youtube videos

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Audiences talk to Emma Chamberlain as if they are in a conversation with her, showing she has successfully constructed a image of being a 'normal girl' - they also value her unique, authentic style that is true to herself.

Architectural Digest House Tour (2022)

201712424 — 2025-10-15 10:24:57 UTC

Viewers get the opportunity to explore one of the most personal aspects of Chamberlain's life - her home. She allows her audience access to private spaces, such as her closet and bedroom.

Youtube video: 'i literally lost my car' (3rd January 2018)

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Chamberlain would often produce mundane content, featuring everyday activities such as driving around in her car - activities her audience could relate to doing.

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Frequently showing herself without makeup in the content she posts online conveys a sense of vulnerability - she is allowing audiences to see her at her 'truest' form.

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Crying selfies also convey a sense of vulnerability - she is being honest with her audiences about her mental wellbeing and breaking free from the idealised, perfect representations we so often see from influencers on their social media feeds.

3. TRANSITION INTO HIGH FASHION

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Vogue Hong Kong article (2nd February 2025)

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This article emphasises how her unique yet accessible style was central to her success in the early years of her career, as she portrayed a 'genuine enthusiasm for fashion' that 'Gen Z' audiences could identify and connect with.

Vogue YouTube video (22nd April 2025)

201712424 — 2025-10-20 11:22:21 UTC

In the beginning of this video, Chamberlain recounts her own story of her PCOS diagnosis - an honest, personal account that many of her female audience may relate to. Her raw honesty in this moment along with the presentation of her without makeup creates a sense of vulnerability that only enhances her authenticity.

'Miutine' by Miu Miu release event Instagram post (7th September 2025)

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Instagram post of Chamberlain wearing Mugler (3rd October 2025)

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Emma Chamberlain becomes a Louis Vuitton ambassador (2019)

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Since 2019, Chamberlain's style has gradually become more rooted in 'high fashion' - a detour from her early career where her looks centred around sustainability through thrifted pieces. For example, she has frequently partnered with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu and Mugler as well as attending the Met Gala each year as Vogue's designated red carpet host. Her style today is less attainable and more aspirational, demonstrating that her fashion sense has evolved from her 'relatable girl' image.

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Additionally, Chamberlain discusses how she isn't concerned with looking 'conventionally attractive' and would rather look 'interesting'. She is telling her audience that she would rather present herself in a unique way that is authentic to her than conform to societal expectations of attractiveness.

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Comments on the video praise Chamberlain for staying true to what she believes is 'beautiful', labelling her as a 'refreshing' representation of women. Fans reinforcing her authentic star image.

YouTube video: 'HALLOWEEN MAKEUP' (31st October 2017)

201712424 — 2025-10-21 10:58:05 UTC

Chamberlain does not take herself seriously and uses self-deprecating humour to navigate her way through this Halloween makeup tutorial. She talks to her audience casually as though they are her friends not just viewers, including them in the chaos of the process.

The Atlantic article (3rd July 2019)

201712424 — 2025-10-22 11:34:16 UTC

Thanks to her relatable persona, messy editing style and unfiltered content, Emma Chamberlain is labelled as the "most important YouTuber today" just two years into her career, paving the way for other creators to emulate her unique style commonly referred to as "slacker YouTube".

TIME Most Influential People on the Internet (2019)

201712424 — 2025-10-22 11:41:01 UTC

The same year, she is included in TIME's '25 most influential people on the internet' list thanks to her unpolished, authentic content.

'The Authenticity Industries: Keeping it Real in Media, Culture and Politics', Michael Serazio (2023)

201712424 — 2025-10-23 11:49:24 UTC

Chamberlain is providing audiences with glimpses into her everyday life, by recording herself in her own kitchen and cooking herself a meal (a mundane activity that a large proportion of her audience will be familiar with doing themselves). This helps her to "project relatability" and thus provides her audience with the illusion that she is just like them.

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In addition, they also find that her demeanour throughout the interview aligns with what they have deciphered as her 'true self'.

‘Being Yourself: The Pursuit of Authentic Celebrity’, Andrew Tolson (2001)

201712424 — 2025-10-26 12:33:02 UTC

Her relaxed nature within her interview with Harlow and her humorous reaction to his unexpected comment, combined with her reflection upon the viral moment in her interview with Jimmy Fallon demonstrates her success in constructing an authentic public performance to convince her audience that, in this interview, she is being truly herself.

Steven Poole (2013) 'Give me the real thing: from vintage clothes to worries about Beyonce lip-syncing, why is our culture so obsessed with the pursuit of authenticity?'

201712424 — 2025-10-31 13:08:01 UTC

Chamberlain's vulnerability and honesty within her podcast is not only a sincere expression of her true self, but is also a carefully curated performance that serves as a powerful contributor to the marketability of her star image.

Hudders, De Jans & De Veirman (2020) 'The commercialization of social media stars: a literature review and conceptual framework on the strategic use of social media influencers’

201712424 — 2025-10-31 13:17:16 UTC

Chamberlain's authenticity through her honesty within her podcast series serves as a crucial method in determining her impact as an influencer.

Christine Gledhill (1991) 'Signs of Melodrama'

201712424 — 2025-10-31 13:24:25 UTC

Serving expensive coffee conflicts with Chamberlain's relatable girl persona and instead reflects a more aspirational image, demonstrating how her star image is "fragmented and open to contradiction".

Erin Meyers (2009) 'Can You Handle My Truth?: Authenticity and the Celebrity Star Image’

201712424 — 2025-10-31 13:28:47 UTC

Through dissecting such personal topics, the line between Chamberlain's public and private self becomes blurred, which enhances her star image as a symbol of authenticity.

Erin Meyers (2009) 'Can You Handle My Truth?: Authenticity and the Celebrity Star Image'

201712424 — 2025-10-31 13:34:10 UTC

Chamberlain's star image is no longer solely under her control, as fashion houses and media outlets now play a role in shaping her persona due to her increased fame and visibility.