Gabriel Attal Congratulates Tibo InShape for Becoming French YouTube Champion
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal extended his congratulations to popular YouTuber Tibo InShape during an appearance on the French television show 'C à Vous' on May 30th. Tibo InShape, whose real name is Thibault Delapart, recently overtook his competitor Squeezie to become the top French YouTuber with 19 million subscribers. Attal referenced Tibo InShape’s signature phrase, saying, 'It's huge and dry,' and humorously remarked that perhaps he brought the YouTuber luck.
The interaction between the Prime Minister and the YouTuber is not their first. In 2019, Gabriel Attal, then Secretary of State in charge of Youth, appeared in one of Tibo InShape's videos aiming to promote the Universal National Service (UNS). This collaborative video, intended to highlight the new military service, was notably funded by the government—a fact pointed out by media outlet Slate. During the video, Attal participated in various sporting exercises and shared camaraderie with Tibo InShape, an event fondly remembered during the recent television segment.
Despite the celebratory tone, it's important to highlight that Tibo InShape has faced criticism over the years for making racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and psychophobic comments. This aspect of his public persona cannot be overlooked as his influence continues to grow. As Attal congratulated him, the event served as both a reflection on their past collaboration and an acknowledgment of the YouTuber's significant milestone.
A Past Collaboration Reminisced on 'C à Vous'
During his guest appearance on 'C à Vous,' Gabriel Attal couldn’t avoid discussing his light-hearted past collaboration with Tibo InShape. The show shared an excerpt from their 2019 video, showcasing scenes where Attal, sporting casual canvas attire, engaged in various military-style physical challenges orchestrated by Tibo InShape. The segment culminated with both men celebrating their success with high-fives, a humorous contrast to Attal's more formal current role as Prime Minister.
The segment elicited further amusement when columnist Lorrain Sénéchal playfully suggested that it might have been Attal who contributed to Tibo InShape's YouTube fame. Attal countered, suggesting the YouTuber might have brought him some luck as well. Tibo InShape himself reacted to this on social media, inviting the Prime Minister for another sports session—a testament to their enduring rapport.
The Journey of Influencers and Politicians
This episode underscores the intersections between politics and popular culture in the modern era. Tibo InShape's rise to becoming the top French YouTuber with 19 million subscribers reflects broader shifts in media consumption and the influence wielded by social media personalities. It also highlights the strategic engagements by politicians like Gabriel Attal to connect with younger audiences through contemporary platforms.
In wrapping his congratulations, Attal echoed Tibo InShape’s words, 'It's huge and dry,' leaving an indelible mark on the viewers. The humorous and amicable interaction between the French Prime Minister and the YouTuber serves as a reminder of how digital culture continues to shape public discourse in unexpected ways.
- This unique intersection between a politician and a YouTuber is indicative of a broader trend where public figures are increasingly leveraging diverse media platforms to engage with different audience segments. Tibo InShape's endorsement and collaboration with government initiatives reflect how influencers can amplify public messages and potentially shape public opinion.
- Additionally, while Tibo InShape has faced criticism for controversial remarks, his significant following demonstrates the complexity of his influence. The dynamics between critical feedback and fan support represent the multifaceted nature of social media celebrities.
