More Gen Z would prefer to have a private life over fame. Coming into 2026, YPulse predicted that privacy would be a status symbol to Gen Z. And when asked which celebrity they’d most like to model their life after in a new Yahoo/YouGov poll, 13% of 18-30-year-olds chose Zendaya—who has become known for balancing a life of major success and privacy. While some choose the most public figures around, 36% say they wouldn’t want to model their lives after any of the options, which also included Kylie Jenner, Taylor Swift, Emma Chamberlain, MrBeast, and others. Instead, when asked about non-famous career paths, 18% say they would want to be a successful tech entrepreneur, while 17% choose a professor or respected intellectual and 14% choose doctors. These choices reflect a shift in how Gen Z views success and publicity: 79% of Gen Z say they’d rather have a private life, compared to only 9% who would choose fame. For a gen that grew up with influencer culture, privacy is a luxury. (Yahoo)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Why Being “Private” is the New Power Move in Gen Z Dating
