Facing Narcissism In The Entertainment Industry
Disclaimer: I am not a professional psychologist or qualified to diagnose anyone with narcissism. This post is made purely to inform and raise awareness of what to look out for. Some people can have narcissistic traits without being a narcissist, but in helping many victims over the years, there is often a clear pattern to malpractice, and many abusers and exploiters behave in ways described to me as “narcissistic.”
What is Narcissism?
Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. While everyone may exhibit narcissistic traits at times, some take it to extremes, leading to harmful behaviours. When these traits become chronic and pervasive, they can manifest as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), where individuals exploit and manipulate others for personal gain, without remorse. You can read more about NPD from Psychology Today here.
The entertainment industry, with its focus on status, fame, and power, is a breeding ground for both narcissistic traits and NPD. These individuals are drawn to environments where they can manipulate their image, gain attention, and surround themselves with people who enable their behavior.
Because showbiz is so fast-paced and competitive, narcissists can often take advantage of others to climb the ladder, while hiding behind a public persona of charm and talent.
Love Bombing and Manipulation
Narcissists often start by “love bombing” - showering their targets with compliments, praise, and promises. It’s one of the most powerful tools in a narcissist’s arsenal, as they use it to quickly gain your trust and loyalty, especially when actors are the kind of people who are eager to please and seek validation. They may present themselves as someone who can offer career-changing opportunities. They seem like they believe in you more than anyone else, making you feel special and indispensable.
Narcissists use this tactic to create dependency, making you feel indebted to them and more willing to overlook their later manipulations. Once they’ve secured your trust, the love and support can shift to criticism, blame, and even gaslighting. This pattern makes you question your self-worth and rely even more on their approval, giving them power over your decisions and your emotional state.
Some common tactics from industry professionals looking to exploit or take advantage are:
Making exaggerated promises
Over-the-top attention
Wanting to switch to messenger services like WhatsApp, instead of professional emails, making you feel special and “chosen”
Exerting their “power” and reminding you of their influence
D.A.R.V.O = “Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim & Offender”
A reaction that perpetrators of wrongdoing may display in response to being held accountable for their behaviour
Lying to protect their image
Pathological Lying and Deception
Narcissists can be habitual liars. Their lies are often not just occasional falsehoods but part of a larger strategy to manipulate and control those around them. They lie to create an image of success, power, and authority, allowing them to gain influence or sympathy. In the entertainment industry, where reputation and perception are everything, they weave intricate stories to inflate their accomplishments, talent, or connections, making it easier to exploit others.
Pathological lying also serves another purpose: to shift blame and avoid accountability. Narcissists will twist the truth to evade responsibility for their actions, casting themselves as victims or heroes, depending on what benefits them. This constant manipulation of reality leaves their victims confused, doubting their own understanding of events, and more reliant on the narcissist's version of the truth. Over time, this web of deceit isolates their victims, making it difficult to trust others or even themselves. When exposed of confronted, narcissists often tell emotionally loaded lies about things like illnesses, mental health, etc. in order to garner sympathy and manipulate.
Lack of Remorse and Empathy
A hallmark of narcissistic behaviour is their complete disregard for how their actions affect others. Narcissists lack empathy, meaning they are unable to genuinely understand or care about the feelings or suffering of others. This allows them to mistreat people without guilt or regret. They view people as tools to be used for their own gain rather than individuals with feelings or boundaries.
In the entertainment industry, where personal relationships and trust play a crucial role, narcissists exploit this lack of empathy to manipulate, deceive, and take advantage of others. They rarely feel remorse for the harm they cause, instead rationalizing their behaviour or blaming the victim. If they do apologize, it’s often insincere - used as another form of manipulation to get what they want.
Their indifference to others’ pain makes them especially dangerous, as they continue their harmful behaviour without hesitation, often leaving a trail of damage in their wake.
Finding a scapegoat to evade consequences of behaviour (badmouthing victims or those who are calling out their behaviour to delegitimise them and their reports)
Continuing to try and find work in the industry despite misconduct being exposed
Changing name/starting a new venture/attempting to move on as if nothing happened
Exploiting Vulnerability
Narcissists are experts at identifying and exploiting the vulnerabilities of others. They prey on people who may be emotionally or professionally insecure, knowing that these individuals are easier to control. In industries like entertainment, where rejection and uncertainty are common, narcissists take advantage of these insecurities to manipulate and exploit those around them.
By dangling the prospect of success or approval, narcissists make people feel like they need them, which creates an unhealthy power dynamic. This exploitation leaves victims feeling trapped and obligated, often fearing that they’ll lose everything if they push back.
In the entertainment industry, this manipulation is especially common with those in positions of power. Someone in a position of power may reveal very personal details or struggles with things like mental health, illness, or addiction, framing it in a way that makes the victim feel special or chosen for being their emotional support. This creates a deep sense of obligation, making it harder for the victim to confront or report their abuser.
By weaponizing vulnerability, narcissists can make their victims feel complicit in the relationship. The result is a toxic, manipulative dynamic where the narcissist uses their own vulnerabilities to deflect accountability, further trapping their victims in a cycle of guilt and emotional manipulation.
Lying about career opportunities
Telling you very personal details
Seeming to rely on you emotionally
Blurring professional and personal boundaries
Gaslighting, Charm, and Public Image
Gaslighting is a particularly insidious form of manipulation in which narcissists make their victims question their own reality, memories, or perceptions. By constantly denying the truth, contradicting facts, or dismissing the victim’s feelings, the narcissist sows doubt in their mind, making it harder for the victim to trust themselves.
Narcissists are often charismatic and skilled at creating a public persona that hides their true nature. In industries like entertainment, where public perception is everything, they use charm, success, and superficial generosity to build an image that wins people over. This facade helps them mask their manipulative behaviour, making it harder for others to see the harm they cause behind closed doors, as well as making it harder to believe if/when allegations are brought against them. They know how to play to the audience, which makes it easy for them to recruit enablers, because they only see the carefully crafted persona, not the real damage being done in the background.
Behind the scenes, however, this charm quickly disappears as their true, exploitative nature takes over.
Dismissing people as “crazy” if they confront the behaviour
Claiming to be a victim of a “witch hunt”
Misrepresenting those calling out their behaviour to position themselves as a victim
Denying they said or did things even when evidence points to the contrary
Making out like what they did wasn’t that bad, or for your benefit
Befriending people with power and influence in the industry
Using their “connections” to make them seem powerful
Mood Swings and Behaviour Changes
Narcissists are often unpredictable, switching between extreme behaviours to keep their victims off balance. One moment they may be charming, affectionate, or generous, and the next they can become cold, hostile, or dismissive without any clear trigger.
In the entertainment industry, this behaviour can make it hard to know where you stand with them. One day they might praise you, offering support or opportunities, and the next, they could suddenly withdraw or criticize you harshly. Or they treat you completely differently than someone else. This instability creates anxiety and keeps you focused on winning their approval, which only deepens their control over you.
By alternating between affection and aggression, narcissists make their victims constantly question themselves, which leaves them emotionally exhausted and more vulnerable to manipulation.
Different personalities online vs real life
Erratic communication
Public praise, private disdain
Making it seem like they’re a hero/someone special/an advocate to hide their manipulation
Sudden warmth or apologies after criticism/abuse
Treating some people nicely, and others horribly
What You Can Do
Recognizing the traits of a narcissist is the first step in protecting yourself from manipulation.
Be mindful of people who shower you with excessive praise or opportunities early on - it could be a red flag
Trust your instincts if you feel someone is being manipulative
Set firm boundaries
Document any interactions where someone seems to be gaslighting, lying, or exploiting you
In industries like ours, where narcissists can easily thrive, it’s crucial to prioritize your own mental health and seek support from trusted friends, mentors, or professionals if you find yourself being targeted. Speaking out, setting boundaries, and ensuring you have people in your corner will help counteract the effects of narcissistic abuse.
You can also make it harder to be manipulated by not putting those in perceived positions of power on a pedestal. The less power we give others because of their job title, the harder it is for them to abuse that power.
Trust your gut and surround yourself with a support network of people who have your best interests at heart, and remember that if someone has victimized you, it’s your story to tell - not their career to protect.
Further Support
narcissistabusesupport.com
survivingnarcissism.tv
Follow:
@selfcarewarrior
@drramani
Written by Alexa Morden
If you have been a victim of this behaviour and need emotional support, please refer to our mental health resources.