Thinking You Are More Important Than Others: When Fame Fuels a Sense of Superiority

Thinking you are more important than others can become a temptation when all attention seems to converge on you. In his video, Tobeh looks at this impression of superiority through several African public figures who are highly active on social media. His aim is not to diagnose these individuals, but to comment on public statements, video clips and the reactions they provoke.

The starting point is simple: everyone is naturally at the center of their own life. But fame adds a particular element. When a person is regularly watched, discussed, approached or mentioned, they may feel that everything around them concerns them. The boundary between an attentive audience and a form of absolute centrality can then become fragile.

When celebrity creates the impression of being at the center of everything

Tobeh describes the figure of the “star” as someone whose name is known, whose every move interests a large audience and whose projects generate discussion. In this representation, the individual no longer sees themselves merely as one person among others: they become a personality who is followed, discussed and sometimes anticipated.

This exposure can change the way criticism is received. A remark, disagreement or question from an internet user may be experienced not as an ordinary interaction, but as an intrusion. Conversely, some creators may also consider that their visibility gives them particular authority on subjects that do not necessarily fall within their original field of activity.

Above all, the video highlights a paradox: the more visible a person is, the more likely they may be to think that their opinion, private life or choices carry exceptional importance. Yet popularity does not protect someone from contradictions or criticism. It often makes them more visible.

Mabio: the openly asserted status of a star

The first example discussed by Tobeh is Mabio, presented in the video as a well-known and popular Ivorian influencer, especially among a female audience. The videographer looks back at several sequences in which she explicitly defines herself as a star and refuses to be placed on the same level as her followers or detractors.

In the clips relayed, this “star” identity seems to justify certain distances: an outfit could no longer be worn in certain contexts, messages should not necessarily receive an immediate reply, and access to the person would follow rules different from those of an ordinary relationship. Tobeh sees this as the expression of a hierarchical relationship between the influencer and her audience.

The video also mentions a commercial operation involving slimming products, called “Objectif 3000 Thés” according to the narrator. He claims that fans bought in large numbers in order to support the influencer, even beyond their interest in the product. The amount mentioned in the video is presented as an estimate and does not constitute, in this article, an independently verified fact.

For Tobeh, this kind of support can reinforce the feeling of being exceptional. When a community pays to follow a person, buys their products or organizes itself around their livestreams, this can become a sign of symbolic power. The videographer then criticizes certain comments that he considers contemptuous toward followers and people who challenge this attitude.

“La vitesse noire”: visibility, criticism and relations with internet users

The video then focuses on an influencer nicknamed “la vitesse noire.” Tobeh associates her fame with her appearance and the attention she receives on social media. He also comments on a case involving negative remarks she allegedly made about Wave, a microfinance company in Côte d’Ivoire.

The videographer states that a complaint was allegedly filed and claims that the courts found that she had lied. As these elements are reported in the transcript without judicial documents or further details, they should be understood as the narrator’s account, rather than as an independent conclusion.

What interests Tobeh most is the way the influencer allegedly responds to criticism. The selected clips show discourse in which critics are dismissed as jealous, idle or supposedly insignificant. The contrast is at the heart of his analysis: having a large following does not automatically mean accepting disagreement or treating one’s audience as a legitimate interlocutor.

The notion of “light” or “star” also returns in the sequences discussed. According to the clips, the influencer explains that being close to her or having a conflict with her can bring visibility to others. Tobeh interprets these statements as a sign of someone placing herself at the top of a system of recognition.

M. Boli: elitism as performance

With M. Boli, the subject takes another form. Tobeh presents him as a legal expert and entrepreneur, particularly in the transport sector. Unlike the previous examples, the videographer acknowledges that he also produces content that may be useful, for example when he challenges the Ivorian electricity company over power cuts.

But the video emphasizes his communication style. Several clips are discussed as demonstrations of elitism: refusing to be called “bro,” references to certain places or backgrounds, and remarks about other people’s appearance or social situation. Tobeh believes that this way of speaking creates a deliberate distance between M. Boli and the rest of the public.

His analysis therefore does not deny the existence of skills or concrete actions. Rather, it questions how success, professional status or social references can be used to assert personal superiority. Even when a creator promotes ideas or causes considered useful, their tone can profoundly change how their message is received.

Philippe Simo: success, financial advice and perceived disconnection

Finally, Tobeh mentions Philippe Simo, creator of the channel “Investir au pays,” focused on entrepreneurship, investment and finance. The videographer acknowledges his strong visibility and his role in sharing content aimed at the diaspora and people wishing to develop economic projects.

The criticism, however, concerns certain statements reported in the video. Tobeh notably cites very firm comments about tontines, buying a primary residence and the age at which one should become a homeowner. In the clip discussed, Philippe Simo states that a 30-year-old person who does not own their primary residence would be threatened by poverty, before responding to criticism by denouncing what he calls mediocrity.

For Tobeh, this type of discourse may seem disconnected from the reality of part of the African public or the diaspora. He does not only challenge the financial advice: he questions the way it is expressed. When a prosperous entrepreneur presents one path as a universal standard, people whose situation is different may feel looked down upon rather than supported.

The video also reports that some internet users question Philippe Simo’s activities and sources of income. These accusations are presented as criticisms circulating online; they are not established by the transcript and do not allow any conclusion to be drawn about the reality of his activities.

Fame does not justify contempt

Through these examples, Tobeh develops a central idea: popularity, displayed wealth, influence or professional achievements can fuel an impression of superiority. But public recognition does not automatically turn a person into an unquestionable authority, nor does it make others less entitled to express disagreement.

Above all, the video highlights the tension between two realities. On the one hand, public figures have the right to value their work, success and community. On the other, they remain exposed to criticism once they choose to speak publicly. Thinking you are more important than others may then appear less as an inevitable consequence of success than as a particular way of presenting it.

FAQ

Why can fame create a sense of superiority?

According to the analysis developed in the video, being constantly watched, approached and commented on can create the impression that everything revolves around oneself. This impression can be reinforced by the financial or emotional support of an online community.

Does the video claim that all the personalities mentioned are the same?

No. Tobeh addresses different profiles: influence, entrepreneurship, legal expertise and financial advice. The common thread is the perception of a superior attitude in certain public statements.

Are all the criticisms mentioned in the video verified?

No. Several accusations and reactions from internet users are reported by the videographer. They must remain attributed to their authors when no independent verification is provided in the transcript.

Video source: A video by Tobeh: Thinking You Are More Important Than Others