Diamond Platnumz, a Tanzanian singer, has found himself trending after losing over 100,000 Instagram followers in just 48 hours.
The dramatic dip is linked to political tensions in Tanzania, where citizens are apparently unfollowing artists who have publicly supported President Samia Suluhu or have remained silent throughout the present political situation.
Diamond is one of Africa’s most popular performers, and his follower count has always been an important component of his brand. Screenshots uploaded online show that his account’s followers have just plummeted from 18.8 million to 18.7 million, and the number is continually decreasing.
Many Tanzanians on social media have stated that they are severing links with celebrities who they believe are detached from the problems of ordinary people.The unfollow campaign has targeted not only Diamond, but also a number of other prominent musicians. Some fans believe that instead of aligning with politicians, musicians should speak up for the common good.
Others say that celebrities have the right to support whoever they want, but they must also accept the consequences of public opinion. Diamond has not yet issued an official statement about the matter. His silence leaves people wondering whether he would address the issue or simply ignore it and move on.
The episode has sparked a broader discussion about how politics might impact entertainment careers, social media influence, and the relationship between celebrities and their fans.
By Nairobi