Cameron Diaz on Social Media Epidemic: ‘We Base Our Self Worth on How Many Followers We Have’

Cameron Diaz, star of the upcoming Sony film Annie, spoke to the Hollywood Reporter Sunday afternoon to discuss the movie, when the subject of conversation shifted to social media.

The reboot of the classic film, starring Diaz and Jamie Foxx, features elements of modern society. 

Along with blended racial families and fresh language, the film will also feature a lot of references to social media.

Director Will Gluck was asked about his use of Twitter and Instagram as topics onscreen, saying:

Everyone asked if I specifically put social media in, and I say, ‘No, I just made a movie about now.’ So if you look back in ten years and watch this movie, it won’t be, ‘He put in all this social media,’ it’ll be, ‘Wow, that’s ten years old.

Cameron Diaz was asked about her character, “Miss Hannigan,” and her heavy use of social media: 

For me, Miss Hannigan represents an epidemic in our society today. 

We put our self-worth on how many likes and followers we have, and we don’t think we’re worthy of love if we’re not a celebrity or achieve fame. 

I think that’s really dangerous, because self-love is the only way you’re happy. That’s where you get your self-worth: by loving yourself for who you are, not for what you’re not.

Annie is set to hit theaters Dec. 19.