Quarantine has given birth to an endless number of social media pariahs (Alison Roman, Lana Del Rey and J.K. Rowling, to name a few), but this strange, strife-filled time has also brought forth a new kind of Internet celebrity: the breakout star just helping the rest of us cope, whether through music, humor, or just plain sage advice. At a time when millions of people were largely stuck at home and crying out for levity, they're making art and magic on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram, gaining devoted new legions of followers along the way. Meet the actors, thinkers and master lip-synchers who are bringing joy, light and levity when people need it most.
Mary Neely
It began in the early days of quarantining alone at her L.A. apartment, with the commercial actress rifling through her vast wig and vintage collection and coming in costume to FaceTimes with friends. But after weeks of isolation, Neely—a self-proclaimed "nerdy perfectionist" who has appeared in Pepcid and Tide spots—felt a deeper urge to entertain. She turned to the musical theater soundtracks she was raised on for catharsis: "There's some quote that's like, 'The feelings are so big that you have to sing,'" Neely told Vogue.