The Future of Entertainment with Michelle Khare and Hannah Stocking

Key Takeaways

• Social media content creation is revolutionizing the entertainment industry and giving traditional media a run for its money.
• Creators like Michelle Khare and Hannah Stocking are leading the charge, producing high-quality content that requires significant resources and personnel.
• The creator economy is the future of entertainment media, with social media platforms like YouTube becoming the primary source of content consumption.
• Traditional TV viewing habits are changing, with YouTube now being the most-watched platform amongst all streamers.
• The role of an influencer or content creator is a 24/7 job, requiring constant production, editing, and uploading of content.

Introduction to Social Media’s Impact on Entertainment
Creators Michelle Khare and Hannah Stocking know firsthand the power of social media in entertainment. Reflecting on the current state of the industry at TheWrap’s 2025 Power Women Summit, presented by STARZ #TakeTheLead, the creators told moderator Jo Cronk that social media content creation is reshaping audience consumption. The pair shared their perspectives to a full crowd during the Summit’s "The New Faces of Entertainment, presented by Whalar" panel. Khare, who created and hosts YouTube series "Challenge Accepted," explained that she’s providing folks with new, more readily available options, and that YouTube is now the most-watched platform amongst all streamers.

The Evolution of Traditional Media
Cronk, co-CEO of Whalar, asked Khare what being a YouTuber means to her. Khare briefly explained that like many Americans, she grew up watching her favorite programming and content on the TV screen, but now she’s providing folks with new, more readily available options. She emphasized that the content she’s making, along with other YouTubers, is technically television content and is viewed by most of their audience on TV with their families. This shift in traditional media consumption habits is a significant indicator of the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. As Khare noted, "I’ve always known that I wanted to be a part of a longer, larger platform of storytelling, and I feel really privileged to live in a generation where that can mean the only barrier to entry is the upload button."

The Demands of Being a Content Creator
Stocking said her role as an influencer is a 24/7 job, requiring constant production, editing, and uploading of content. She uploads minimum every two days, and her work doesn’t stop on weekends or when she’s sick. Stocking also emphasized that she looks at herself as her own media company, with a team of people who help her produce high-quality content. This includes a producer, videographer, and even teams that can create prosthetics or costumes for her videos. Khare agreed, highlighting that she became the second person in the world to recreate Tom Cruise’s "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation" plane scene, which required more than 50 people to pull off.

The Future of Entertainment Media
By the end of the conversation, the two creators agreed that their field isn’t going anywhere anytime soon — and the future of entertainment media is already in their favor. Stocking stated, "I think the future is the creator economy." This sentiment is echoed by the growing popularity of social media platforms like YouTube, which is now the most-watched platform amongst all streamers. The creator economy is revolutionizing the way content is produced, consumed, and monetized, and it’s clear that social media content creation is here to stay. As Khare noted, "When you start, when you upload one piece of content, you inherently become an entrepreneur in a company of one, even if you’re just uploading for your friends and family and even just posting a single video, you understand production, post-production, uploading, looking at the data, even in a fun-for-friends kind of way."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts
TheWrap’s Power Women Summit presented by STARZ #TakeTheLead is the essential gathering of the most influential women across entertainment and media. The event aims to inspire and empower women across the landscape of their professional careers and personal lives. The conversation between Khare and Stocking highlights the significant impact that social media content creation is having on the entertainment industry. As the creator economy continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that social media platforms like YouTube will play a major role in shaping the future of entertainment media. With traditional TV viewing habits changing and social media platforms becoming the primary source of content consumption, it’s an exciting time for creators like Khare and Stocking, who are leading the charge in this new era of entertainment.