Can Being Authentic Online Backfire? Lessons from Meagan Good’s Engagement
Authenticity is often celebrated as the gold standard for how we should present ourselves in the world, both online and offline.
But what happens when keeping it real gets a little too real? The recent news of Meagan Good’s engagement with Jonathan Majors has sparked a larger conversation about what it means to live authentically in the public eye and whether it’s worth the cost.
Many people were stunned when Meagan and DeVon Franklin divorced in 2022. They seemed like the “perfect couple”—beautiful, successful, faith-driven and drama-free. Their book, The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love, inspired countless readers to approach love and relationships differently.
But when their union ended, people felt entitled to answers. What went wrong? Why weren’t they walking us through their healing process the same way they shared their love story?
Fast forward to 2024, and her relationship with Majors, an actor navigating public scrutiny and allegations, has reignited the public’s curiosity. People question her choices and speculate about the timing. Is this the glow-up they expected after her divorce? Why is she silent when her new fiancé has faced so much backlash?
This sense of entitlement to someone’s personal story isn’t exclusive to celebrities. It’s a reflection of the way social media has reshaped our boundaries. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have encouraged us to share everything—from our happiest milestones to our most vulnerable moments. The idea is that being “authentic” creates connection and relatability. But authenticity often comes with a price: judgment, critique, and unsolicited advice.
Celebrities like Halle Bailey have also faced similar scrutiny. Though she and her ex, DDG, maintain a co-parenting relationship, the public speculates endlessly about their breakup. Halle has chosen to remain silent. That, however, hasn’t stopped people from filling in the gaps with their narratives. Once you let people into your world, even a little, they’ll feel like they deserve a front-row seat to everything.
On the flip side, plenty of high-profile figures have mastered the art of keeping their lives private. Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Oprah and Stedman, Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha—these couples protect their personal lives fiercely, sharing only what they want the world to know. They remind us that you can live authentically without living publicly.
Social media is mostly work-related for me. I’m not one to share every detail of my life online, and I support anyone who decides to step away from these platforms in search of peace. Sharing too much can feel empowering at the moment, but it can also invite criticism, negativity and even harassment.
Meagan’s journey with Majors highlights an important truth: once you choose to make parts of your life public, you can’t control how the public responds. That’s the trade-off. And while celebrities might have to live with that reality, the rest of us don’t have to play by the same rules.
As we navigate our own choices about what to share and what to keep private, it’s important to use discernment. Not everyone in your life—or online—deserves full access to your story. There’s power in being selective. You don’t have to post every milestone, vent about every disagreement, or invite strangers into your vulnerable moments.
Instead, take a cue from the couples and individuals who prioritize their peace. You don’t have to live in secrecy, but you can set boundaries that work for you. Ask yourself: Am I sharing this for me or for them? Will this bring me joy, or am I posting out of pressure to “keep it real”?
Authenticity is a personal journey, not a social media strategy. If being true to yourself means sharing less, that’s okay. And if you choose to share, ensure you’re ready for whatever comes with it. Because at the end of the day, your peace of mind is worth more than likes, comments, or retweets.
