When the Filter Fades - A Novel

Janine Jellars

Summary

There's a hierarchy to fame – from the Real Celebs who sell their skills as actors and singers, to the Professionally Pretty (the garnish to any occasion), the Hashtag Hustlers, who range from influencers to the social media savvy, to the Hopeless Hangers-On. Everyone has their place in the ecosystem, and knowing your place in that hierarchy is half the fame game won.
For three young women in Joburg, the new age of internet celebrity presents them with obstacles, opportunities, opulence and a chance at fame, fortune and fierce fashion.
LIN
Through sheer ambition and force of will, Lin has rebranded her entire existence. She's shrugged off her past to fully embrace a new identity: Linfluencer, the high-end influencer whose Outfits Of The Day are obsessively followed by every budding fashionista with a blossoming social media addiction.
LEBO
Then there's Lebo, who has only ever known a life of fame – real fame – as the former child prodigy behind TV phenomenon Sedi Star. Everyone grew up watching her every move, but now, as she's grown up, the work, roles and offers have evaporated. But her penchant for scandal, controversy and social media squabbles have kept her in the headlines.
MBALI
And finally there's South Africa's reigning Queen of Gossip: Mbali. The entertainment site she runs with an iron fist is known for breaking the hottest news – and the odd celebrity career. With the Hashtag Hustle threatening her media empire, how will she continue to keep her readers enthralled?
As Lin, Lebo and Mbali jostle to take their places in the fame hierarchy, their ambitions, aspirations and agendas collide. Their wins and woes not only affect one another, but can mean that they either individually rise or collectively crumble. Will Lin's past threaten her future? Will Lebo's (self-)sabotage prevent her return to the top? Will Mbali's reign as the Queen of Gossip continue – or reach a dead end? The choices they make can balance or break their entire ecosystem.
JANINE JELLARS, the author of When the Filter Fades, is an editor, marketer and entrepreneur. A child of the 1990s, and the ultimate millennial 'slashie', she's seen it all, done it all, and written all about it.

Available since: 10/16/2023.

Print length: 284 pages.

Contemporary Fiction

1 Comments

Book of the Week 10/27/2023

At first glance, WHEN THE FILTER FADES by Janine Jellars might strike you as a lighthearted, superficial novel about the fictional rich and famous. However, the author delves deep into the ecosystem of fame, peering behind the scenes of filtered Instagram posts and polished media statements.

The novel centers on the lives of three magnificent women. Lin is a rising star among fashion influencers, Lebo a once-celebrated actress and singer who has fallen from grace and Mbali a sharp journalist with an instinct for turning gossip into profit. As their paths repeatedly cross, we learn about their struggles to maintain the spotlight without compromising their moral compass—a near-impossible battle that inevitably leads to jealousy, intrigue, and scandal.

Clearly Jellars knows the world she is writing about. Her insights into the art of crafting a personal brand are as delightful as they are appalling. This book offers a perfect combination of genuinely endearing characters, a compelling storyline and a narrative style that makes you feel like you are talking to your best friend.

Discover more book recommendations on https://www.24symbols.com/24stories/en/the-best-books-of-the-moment/

About the author

Janine Jellars

JANINE JELLARS is an author, editor, marketer and entrepreneur. A child of the 1990s, and the ultimate millennial 'slashie', she's seen it all, done it all, and written all about it.

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