People of all ages dream big, but the youth are especially filled with unlimited possibilities. Unfortunately, we now see a decline in dreamers. In light of this, a program, Celebrity Substitute, focuses on inspiring the next generation of dreamers. Celebrity Substitute is a social media sensation, taking over the “For You” pages of thousands of people. With an impressive 6.7 million subscribers on YouTube and 102,600 followers on Instagram, Celebrity Substitute has reached audiences worldwide at no cost. Created by Julian Shapiro-Barnum, the host of Recess Therapy, known for its engaging clips and interviews where children provide advice for adults–such as the viral segment featuring a young kid saying “it’s corn”– the project also enlists award-winning songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek.
Recognizing the lack of funding, this team aimed to have an impact on the lives of New York City public school students by providing role models who allow kids to aspire to greater things in life. The span of guests has not fallen to anything but exceptional, Karl Anthony Towns, Reneé Rapp, Ed Sheeran, Gigi Hadid, Malala Yousafzai, Rauw Alejandro, and so many more. Through these interactions, celebrities have the chance to profoundly change the lives of students by sparking their interests in sports, art, music, culture, activism, and modeling.
Every celebrity featured on the show has their own episode where they teach the kids their profession. The skill range spans diverse fields, including techniques in songwriting, singing lessons based on music theory, posing during photo shoots, the history behind salsa music and its Latin roots, the importance of education, and the camaraderie and joy of sports. While the students participate in activities, they have the chance to engage with others and prepare for their futures.
It is not only a learning experience, but a time where children transform and have the ability to discover who they want to be. Each episode, students have the opportunity to work with professionals in different environments, from recording studios, gyms, and their own schools. This initiative not only contributes to the funding of the schools but also to the enlightenment of the students. Unlike many instances today, Celebrity Substitute not only sparks the dreams of young minds but also reshapes the developing minds of the future through the power of positive social media.
