Political Leaders or Social Media Influencers? The Cases of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Chiara Ferragni

Although the perception of authenticity plays an increasingly important role in many sectors where communication is central, both political and otherwise, according to a recent theory known as the "triangle of leadership," it is not sufficient to invoke this concept alone to explain the success (or failure) of various types of actors. At least two additional significant factors should be considered: ordinariness and competence. Drawing from this theory, this article investigates whether political leaders and social media influencers need the same combination of factors to succeed within different communicative arenas. To address this research aim, this paper examines the applicability of the "triangle of leadership" to two different cases: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a successful contemporary political figure known for her ability to build and maintain political consensus, and Chiara Ferragni, one of the most successful social media influencers worldwide. By comparing these cases, the paper argues that both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Chiara Ferragni possess a unique combination and balance of authenticity, competence, and ordinariness. It is their ability to embody the perception of these qualities simultaneously that allows them to manage and master different types of consensus-building practices within diverse socio-economic and political arenas. Finally, it argues that although the perception of competence, ordinariness, and authenticity are strategically important today in pursuing one's goals both in politics and within the influencer economy, once the perception of authenticity fades, the "magic touch" of an opinion leader, in whatever field they operate, may disappear forever.