Being Your Authentic Self

Authenticity, a currently trending notion, is examined through the lenses of identity, performance, and cultural expectations. Drawing on theoretical insights, this chapter discusses how authors navigate their self-identity and self-projection to present an authentic persona online. It considers how different social media platforms influence perceptions of authenticity, from the curated aesthetics of Instagram to the ‘spontaneous’ engagement on TikTok. The links between authenticity and the author brand, as well as the ethical considerations in performing authenticity, matter in how ‘authenticity’ is perceived among audiences, where there is an ongoing negotiation of authenticity.