From Rockstar Politician To Celebrity Influencer: Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin In Representational And Presentational Media

Abstract

Sanna Marin, Finland’s former prime minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party, has gained extensive media coverage in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Finnish NATO membership, as well as becoming something of a social media influencer and style icon. This article examines Marin’s rise to fame from top politician to celebrity influencer, drawing on previous theorizations of persona studies, relating to the celebrity politician and the relationship between politicians and media, both representational (traditional) and presentational (social). Finnish and international reporting are comparatively studied, as some difference can be detected in how Marin is portrayed and how her time in office and political legacy are defined. Marin’s social media presence, particularly on Instagram, is addressed from a perspective of celebrity status and authenticity, relating to her online persona. Findings indicate that Marin constructs her public persona with the help of the representational and presentational spaces she occupies, including those that cause controversy and debate. Journalists, too, are able to raise their public profiles when interviewing or writing about high-profile politician celebrities such as Sanna Marin.