The Internet has a funny way of choosing who will get the next major platform. We have seen actors, singers and even influencers rise to fame, but how about an ex-prisoner? The media’s latest obsession is with Gypsy-Rose Blanchard-Anderson, a 32 year-old who was just released from jail after eight years, for aiding in the murder of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, in 2015. Now, after her release on December 28, 2023, Blanchard-Anderson has come to face a different type of pressure, the one that comes with having influence in the media.
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard-Anderson was born in 1991, with the abuse from her mother started when she was a baby. Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard would convince the people around her that her daughter was terminally ill with illnesses like leukemia, even though she was a perfectly healthy child. These claims would result in Blanchard-Anderson to endure extensive procedures, like having a feeding tube inserted, getting her teeth pulled, and other major procedures. This abuse would last until Blanchard-Anderson’s imprisonment in 2015, when authorities found her mother dead. She would be charged with second-degree murder, while her former boyfriend Nick Godejohn was charged with first-degree murder and is currently serving a life-sentence.
The media, especially Tiktok, has already been known for its community of true crime enthusiasts, who examine famous historical crimes and criminal trials. Prior to Blanchard-Anderson’s release, notable shows like the 2017 documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest and the 2019 mini series The Act, have aided in the rise in attention to Blanchard-Anderson. More recently she has been promoting a new show called The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, which was released in early January, following her release, where she focuses on telling her story before she is free. So it’s no surprise that her release would be a hot topic for those who have found out about her story via social media.
Part of the media’s fascination with her, is her journey as she starts her “free life” in the “real world” for the first time. At 32 years-old, she is presented with navigating the society around her while also holding the responsibility of having a social media presence and the influence that comes with it. With a Tiktok following of over nine million followers, as well as a large Instagram following prior to deleting her account, she has posted about the mundane topics like taking her first selfie or getting a puppy for the first time. These posts, including popular social media slang, have accumulated millions of likes and views, and have caught the attention of many young fans who have even started fan accounts for her.
Not only has she used social media to share her everyday life, but she has used her platform to speak on mental health, more specifically to bring awareness about Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Blanchard-Anderson’s mother, Clauddine Blanchard, suffered from a rare behavioral disorder that made her fabricate fake symptoms of illness for her daughter, in hopes for attention as the caregiver. With a Tiktok posted on January 16, she has brought attention to the discussion of what needs to be changed within the healthcare system so not only are people who have the syndrome found and treated, but also making sure there is a balance and that parents are not falsely accused of having the syndrome.
Even with all of this attention, can the perks of popularity outweigh the hate and negativity that comes with the platform. Many saw her release as unfair to her former boyfriend, Nick Godejohn, who has received sympathy from supporters and believed that he should be released as well, despite being the person who physically murdered Clauddine Blanchard. Supporters argue that he was easily manipulated into the murder plan due to being on the autism spectrum and having a low IQ. Despite the controversy, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard-Anderson’s story continues to live on.
