Kanye West fell into the thirst trap in October 2013, when then girlfriend Kim Kardashian posted a swimsuit shot on Instagram, her plush posterior displayed like a pair of shiny balloons. Within minutes, Kanye responded via Twitter: “HEADING HOME NOW.” Mrs. Kardashian West is the empress of the thirst trap phenomenon, a gloriously narcissistic Internet movement in which duck-lipped starlets post sexy selfies designed to elicit praise, usually under the duplicitous guise of showing off a new outfit or a beautiful beach scene.
For example, Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell makes O faces while lounging in an infinity pool; Miley Cyrus poses in a thong one day, pasties another; Kanye’s ex Amber Rose flaunts her dental-floss swimsuits (clearly he has a type); and Toronto siren Suzanne Tremblay (Instagram: shipspassinginthenight) proves there’s no bodily surface she won’t tattoo. Each photo receives thousands of lusty compliments, leaving both the trapper and the trapped deliriously satisfied.
Related: How to Art Direct Your Instagram
Loving my new swimsuit from @nakedwardrobe #Milfin 😍 A photo posted by Amber Rose (@amberrose) on
TIP: “Put on a Songza playlist that makes you feel sexy and empowered. When you’re in a good mood, it will radiate out of your face and make you glow naturally.” —Suzanne Tremblay
Related:
The Twitter Feminists
The Food Porn Stars
The Front-Row Posse
The Jocks
The Wellness Gurus
The Pets
The Overachievers
The Comedy Nerds
The Beauty Queens
Return to How to Be a Social Media Star
Click through the gallery for a selection of The Thirst-Trappers’ best work