Gypsy Rose Blanchard at a red carpet event.

Lauren Bramwell

Content warning: This article contains details of abuse.

Given the internet’s fascination with true crime, the revived obsession with Gypsy Rose Blanchard comes as no surprise. But Gypsy becoming the new it girl was not in anyone’s 2024 predictions.

Who Is Gypsy Rose Blanchard?

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, now 32 years old, was released from prison in late December 2023. She was incarcerated for eight years after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard.

Dee Dee suffered from the disorder known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, a rare form of abuse in which a caregiver fabricates or induces physical or psychological health issues in the person under their care.

Gypsy had been subjected to years of trauma at the hands of her mother. By age 20, Gypsy was wheelchair-bound. She had undergone treatments she did not require and was administered food through feeding tubes.

Her incarceration instigated widespread media attention, with advocates arguing that Gypsy was a victim of abuse.

But this was only the beginning of Gypsy’s rise to fame.

“Hey everyone, this is Gypsy, I’m finally free.”

Following her release, Blanchard became an overnight social media influencer.

On 31st December 2023, she announced to millions online: “Hey everyone, this is Gypsy, I’m finally free.”

The video currently has 34 million views. Within a week of her release, she had accumulated over 12 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, and now has a combined following of 18 million.

But it was Gen Z’s reaction that truly took Gypsy’s fame to the next level. Videos began surfacing of release parties in Gypsy’s honour and lists of things to introduce Gypsy to. TikTok users even coined the catchphrase “let’s get tipsy for Gypsy.”

@mixedmamatati

Gypsy Rose is free 2023! Who wants to have a release party with me tonight?? #gypsyrose #gypsyroseblanchard #gypsyrosecase #gypsyreleaseparty #gypsyroseblanchardcase #prisonrelease #freedom #breakingnews #greenscreen #greenscreenvideo #truecrime #crimetiktok #murder #crime #crimetok #murdertok #storytime #reallifecrimes #truecrimecommunity #truecrimetiktok #truecrimenews #truecrimeheadlines #truecrimetoks #serialkillers #crimestory #crimestories

♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya

The sensationalisation of Gypsy Rose is not a new phenomenon.

While Gypsy served her sentence in 2019, Hulu produced the original series The Act, reenacting her life and her mother’s murder. Given this generation’s intense fascination with true crime, it is no surprise that Gypsy was already a household name prior to her release, with The Act undoubtedly contributing to her heightened fame.

Are We Exploiting Gypsy Rose?

Is this all just a bit of fun? Or should the internet leave Gypsy alone?

Social media grants us easy and unrestricted access to the personal lives of influencers. However, an unfortunate by-product is that viral news stories can become popular sources of entertainment, no matter how serious.

While the internet audiences frequently trivialise online phenomena, Gypsy herself seems to endorse the hype surrounding her release. The press tour for her new docuseries, as well as her active status on social media, allows users to engage with her on a more personal level. Thereby fuelling her newfound celebrity status.

Gypsy’s online sensationalisation has re-opened the floor for debates surrounding the desensitisation of true crime. Many are questioning whether exploitation could be playing out.

Some online users are concerned that she is a vulnerable person being exploited by the media, and that she should be allowed to integrate into normal life, away from the spotlight.

But, surely, becoming an influencer is the new norm?

Gypsy has experienced a significant amount of trauma growing up, but she is now free to live how she pleases. And, although social media is not a mirror of reality, she does seem to be thriving and happy in the public eye.

Since her childhood was so heavily controlled, perhaps it is time to let Gypsy take control of her own life.

READ NEXT:

Featured image courtesy of Biggy via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

Journalist. University of East Anglia English Literature Graduate. Previously Concrete's Opinion Editor.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *