In the age of social media, every move a celebrity makes is under constant scrutiny. Recently, the trend of deleting pictures from Instagram has caught public eye. From Divya Agarwal and Ranveer Singh to Dalljiet Kaur, numerous celebrities have wiped their accounts clean, prompting a wave of speculation. Last year, Asin deleted all photos with her husband Rahul, and Samantha did the same with posts related to Chaitanya before their separation. What’s driving this phenomenon? Is it always a precursor to a breakup, or is there a deeper psychology at play?
The drive to delete
Deleting pictures from social media is an intriguing behaviour, often loaded with hidden meanings and motivations. While it’s easy to jump to conclusions about impending breakups, the reality is more nuanced.
“Deleting pictures from social media is a sure-fire way to get attention,” says Dr Diana Monterio, founder-director of The Hyderabad Academy of Psychology.
“All publicity is good publicity, as they say. Specific behaviour, like Ranveer Singh’s for instance, might have personal reasons only the account-holder can explain. Generally, such actions signal a significant life change.
It can be an acknowledgment of this change to themselves. Often, it relates to the end of relationships, but other reasons could include a desire to create a new image, protect privacy, or even superstitious beliefs about warding off the evil eye,” she explains.
Dr Monterio also highlights a protective instinct, especially among new parents who might delete photos to safeguard their children's privacy. “Whatever the reason, the fact that it is discussed shows that it garners attention, whether intended or not. Celebrities might engage in these behaviours thoughtfully rather than randomly. Time (and Ranveer) will reveal all,” she adds.
Balancing public and private lives
The life of a celebrity is a delicate balancing act between public and private spheres. Dr Vasuprada, a psychologist, explains that social media blurs these boundaries, often pushing more of their private lives into the public eye. “Posting or deleting pictures is about consumerism. Followers need constant engagement,” she says.
Deleting relationship photos can bring social pressure, especially in cases of infidelity, or garner support for personal decisions. “Sometimes, gossip mills need to be quelled by providing the actual picture, clarifying whether it’s a breakup or not. Attention-seeking is often a factor,” Dr Vasuprada notes. She also points out that couples expecting a child might start a new phase of child-focused posts, leading to the deletion of earlier couple photos.
Voyeurism & change marker
“Before a career change, celebrities might share random personal information to pique curiosity. If followers weren’t so frenzied, celebrities might share more genuine, relevant content. It’s a cycle of feeding and consuming,” Dr Vasuprada adds.
Identity management and emotional regulation
Dr Mazar Ali, consultant, Psychiatry, at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, outlines several key motivations behind deleting photos from Instagram.
“Social media allows individuals to craft and control their online identity. Deleting photos can be a way to reshape how one is perceived by others, aligning their online presence with their current self-image or aspirations. For some, deleting photos serves as a coping mechanism to manage emotions. Removing images associated with negative memories, past relationships or difficult times can help reduce emotional distress and aid in moving on from those experiences,” he says.
Control, privacy and social pressure
Dr Savita Date Menon, a clinical psychologist, adds that control and autonomy are significant factors driving the deletion of Instagram posts. Social media platforms often create a sense of surveillance, where users feel watched and judged by others. Deleting photos can be an act of reclaiming control over one’s narrative, asserting autonomy over what aspects of their life are shared and remembered publicly. Increased awareness of privacy issues can lead individuals to delete photos to protect personal information and maintain a sense of privacy. She also highlights the impact of social comparison and pressure.
Milestones, transitions and career concerns
Significant life changes such as graduating, starting a new job or entering a new relationship often prompt individuals to delete old photos as a way to mark the transition mentally and emotionally. Dr Menon explains that career concerns also play a role. People may delete posts when they start looking for new career opportunities, feeling the need to create a more professional image. Additionally, if someone suspects that their account has been compromised or hacked, they will likely delete posts as a security measure.
In relationships, particularly among celebrities, deleting photos with significant others can indicate changes in relationship status or dynamics. This act might be a public declaration of a breakup or a strategic move to manage public interest and speculation. Harassment or uncomfortable feedback can also prompt individuals to delete posts or withdraw temporarily to avoid further negative interactions.
In essence...
Deleting Instagram photos could be the result of multiple motives. While it can hint at personal upheavals like breakups, it also serves as a strategic move for attention, privacy and image management. For celebrities like Ranveer Singh, the true motives remain personal, but the trend broadly reveals much about the interplay between public personas and private lives. In this context, displaying understanding and kindness towards someone going through significant life changes is crucial.
For some, deleting photos serves as a coping mechanism to manage emotions. Removing images associated with negative memories, past relationships or difficult times can help reduce emotional distress and aid in moving on from those experiences.” — Dr Mazar Ali, consultant, Psychiatry, CARE Hospitals,
“Deleting pictures from social media is a sure-fire way to get attention.” — Dr Diana Monterio, founder-director of The Hyderabad Academy of Psychology
“Celebrities cater to their audience’s need for voyeurism. This need compels them to feed gossip.” — Dr Vasuprada, practicing psychologist
“Deleting photos might be driven by the desire to present a more polished and curated image that stands up to social scrutiny. The desire for a cohesive and visually appealing Instagram feed can lead individuals to delete photos that disrupt the overall aesthetic.” — Dr Savita Menon, clinical psychologist
