Red Carpet Media Accreditation: Why Followers Aren’t Enough Anymore

I was scrolling recently and came across a post from Hillary LeBlanc (journalist extraordinaire) that made me pause - not because it was shocking, but because it said out loud what so many of us who work in media and events have been quietly navigating for a while now. It touched on influencers requesting media accreditation for red carpets, galas and major cultural events, and the growing assumption that a following equals access.

And listen, I get it. The media landscape has changed. Influence is real. Digital platforms matter. Some creators are doing incredible, thoughtful, culturally relevant work that absolutely deserves a seat at the table. I’ve worked with many of them, and when it’s done well, it elevates the event, the artist, and the audience experience.

But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough.

Access is not just about reach.
It’s about responsibility.

Through FKB Media Solutions, we’ve accredited media for events like the RBC Black Diamond Ball, the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards, JerkFest Toronto, and the Black Excellence Brunch at the Toronto International Film Festival. Every year, we receive a high volume of media requests. And increasingly, a significant portion of those requests come from individuals who have large followings but no previous coverage to show, no understanding of interview etiquette, and no real plan for how they will represent the event, the talent, or the moment.

Sometimes the application is just a follower count.
No outlet. No clips. No concept. Just: “I have X followers, so I should be there.”

And that’s where the conversation needs to shift.

Because the red carpet is not just content.
It’s not just a backdrop.
It’s a professional space.

It’s a space where actors, musicians, directors, and community leaders are showing up to represent years and sometimes decades of work. It’s a space where stories are being told, where narratives are shaped, where moments are documented for history.

And when that space is treated casually, it shows.

We’ve all seen those clips. The awkward interviews. The questions that land completely off. The moments that feel less like journalism or storytelling and more like someone trying to go viral at the expense of the person in front of them.

I’m sure many of you remember when Delroy Lindo, a veteran actor with a decades-long career, was asked on the red carpet how it felt to be an “emerging” actor nominated for an Oscar. That wasn’t just a slip. That was a lack of preparation. A lack of respect for the body of work that came before that moment.

We’ve seen other examples too - influencers asking celebrities what they’re wearing before even acknowledging their project, turning interviews into jokes that don’t land, or asking questions that have nothing to do with the work being celebrated. Moments where the goal clearly isn’t to honour the artist, but to create a clip.

And here’s the thing: humour is fine. Personality is welcome. Red carpets don’t have to be stiff or robotic. But there’s a difference between being engaging and being unprepared.

When we approve media, we’re not just filling a line. We are making a decision about who gets to represent the event in the public eye. We are trusting that person to engage with talent in a way that reflects the integrity of the moment.

That’s why legacy media still matters.

Not because it’s perfect. Not because it hasn’t had its own issues. But because there is a foundation there of research, of preparation, of editorial standards, of understanding how to conduct an interview in a way that respects both the subject and the audience.

A seasoned journalist knows how to pivot, how to recover, how to ask a question that opens up a meaningful answer. They understand timing. They understand context. They understand that the person in front of them is not just a personality, but a professional with a story worth telling properly.

And to be clear, this isn’t about gatekeeping.

It’s about stewardship.

There is absolutely room for influencers and digital creators on the red carpet. In fact, when they come prepared, when they understand the assignment, when they respect the craft of the people they’re interviewing, they bring a fresh energy that is needed in this space.

But preparation matters.

Understanding the event matters.
Understanding the people you’re speaking to matters.
Understanding that you are part of a larger ecosystem - that matters.

Because when someone steps onto a red carpet without that foundation, it doesn’t just reflect on them. It reflects on the event. It reflects on the talent. And it slowly chips away at the value of the platform itself.

From where I sit, reviewing applications year after year, I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for intention. For professionalism. For a clear understanding that access is earned through more than numbers.

So if you’re an emerging creator reading this and you want to be on those carpets — I’m rooting for you.

Just come ready.

Do your research.
Know who you’re speaking to.
Understand the moment you’re stepping into.
Respect the people in front of you.

Because when you do that, you’re not just creating content.

You’re contributing to culture.

And that’s something worth getting right.