Law360

During this pandemic, many of us have turned to celebrities and social media to distract from the news. Some subjects have garnered massive fanfare, including Leslie Jordan's workout routine and thoughts about Tiger King1, and Chrissy Teigen's baking with her children.2 Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is letting Wellington and the other penguins out to play in the public spaces in otherwise closed museums.3

Authors: Jason W. Gordon

Before we go any further, we want to note that this is not an article about force majeure, or impossibility or impracticability of contract performance. For those of you who were hoping you'd find something to read that wasn't about force majeure, please continue reading. For the rest of you, Tiger King's last episode is out. Enjoy.

The response to this pandemic by celebrities and influencers is all over the map. Celebrities and influencers are posting significant amounts of content while we stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic — from writing songs about hand washing and delivering messages of hope, to donating millions of dollars to relief efforts and those in need and cooking with their children.4

But some influencers are also making headlines for less savory reasons — from denouncing and even disobeying social distancing and shelter-in-place mandates to "commiserating" with followers from their mansions, beach houses, palatial ranches, etc.5 The response from the public is mixed. In particular, some influencers have received negative feedback from their followers,6 while others have issued public apologies.7