When Amazon Prime’s hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty captured global attention, audiences were immediately drawn to the chaotic, protective, and deeply relatable energy of Steven Conklin. Behind the character is Matthew Broome, an actor whose off-screen personal brand is just as compelling as his television debut. For fans and aspiring creators looking to understand modern celebrity branding, analyzing Matthew Broome’s social media strategy offers a masterclass in Gen Z authenticity.

Rather than relying on the highly polished, heavily curated aesthetic that defined the millennial influencer era, Broome leans into a relaxed, surf-culture-inspired, 'boy-next-door' persona. This comprehensive guide breaks down his digital footprint, his minimalist Instagram bio choices, and the actionable personal branding takeaways you can apply to your own social media profiles to build an authentic, engaging online presence.

Quick Facts: Matthew Broome

Full NameMatthew Broome
Born2001 (Florida, USA)
NationalityAmerican
Known ForSteven Conklin in The Summer I Turned Pretty
Instagram@matthewbroome
TikTok@matthewbroome

Acting Career & Television Highlights

Before landing his breakout role, Broome was a college student in Florida with a background in surfing and a growing interest in the arts. His casting as Steven Conklin—the fiercely loyal, occasionally overbearing, and deeply lovable older brother of protagonist Belly Conklin (Lola Tung)—catapulted him into the mainstream spotlight.

Steven’s character arc deals with complex themes of family pressure, identity, and the difficult transition into adulthood. Broome’s portrayal resonated deeply with viewers because it felt grounded and unpretentious. This on-screen groundedness perfectly mirrors his off-screen digital presence. Unlike many young actors who immediately pivot to high-fashion, untouchable personas after a hit show, Broome has maintained a remarkably consistent, approachable brand identity that aligns with his real-world interests in surfing, fitness, and brotherhood. This consistency prevents audience whiplash and solidifies his personal brand as genuine and down-to-earth.

Social Media Presence & Bio Analysis

When examining Matthew Broome’s Instagram profile, the first thing you notice is the bio—or rather, the deliberate lack of a traditional one. In the realm of personal branding, what you choose to omit is often just as powerful as what you include.

The 'Anti-Bio' Strategy

Broome typically utilizes a highly minimalist Instagram bio. You will rarely find lengthy descriptions, inspirational quotes, or exhaustive lists of hobbies. Instead, his bio usually features a subtle location tag, a single evocative emoji (often related to the ocean or a simple graphic), and a professional contact email for management. This is a hallmark of the modern 'cool' aesthetic. By stripping away the clutter, he signals confidence. He doesn't need to tell you who he is; his visual grid and his body of work do the heavy lifting.

Grid Curation and the Photo Dump

Broome’s posting style heavily favors the 'photo dump' format. Rather than posting a single, perfectly lit, and heavily edited portrait, he shares carousel posts that mix high-quality behind-the-scenes (BTS) shots from set, blurry candid photos with friends, surfing clips, and casual mirror selfies. This strategy achieves two major branding goals:

  • Parasocial Intimacy: It makes followers feel like they are getting a genuine, unfiltered look into his daily life, fostering a stronger parasocial connection that goes beyond his acting roles.
  • Effortless Aesthetic: It reinforces his brand as a laid-back, approachable guy who happens to be on television, rather than a distant Hollywood elite. The imperfection is the point.

The Psychology of Gen Z Celebrity Branding

To understand why Broome’s branding works so well, you have to look at the broader shift in social media consumption. Gen Z audiences possess a highly tuned radar for inauthenticity. The overly produced, sponsor-heavy, and rigidly themed profiles of the 2010s no longer convert to genuine fandom. Audiences crave reality, even if that reality is slightly curated.

Broome’s brand is rooted in 'earned authenticity.' He frequently highlights his real-life friendships with his castmates, tagging them in chaotic, humorous TikToks and Instagram reels. He doesn't treat his social media solely as a promotional billboard for his acting projects; he treats it as a digital scrapbook. Furthermore, there is a fascinating contrast between his character Steven (who is highly anxious, academically driven, and sometimes rigid) and his real-life persona (laid back, surf-oriented, and relaxed). By firmly anchoring his real identity on social media, he showcases his acting range while ensuring he doesn't get entirely swallowed by his most famous character. This approach ensures that when he does post about a premiere or a magazine cover, it feels like a natural milestone in a journey his followers are actively participating in, rather than a corporate studio mandate.

Personal Branding Takeaways for Your Profile

You don't need to be a Hollywood actor to benefit from the branding strategies employed by rising stars. Here are the core lessons you can extract from Matthew Broome’s digital presence and apply to your own Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn profiles.

1. Embrace the Minimalist Bio

If you are struggling to write the perfect bio, try writing almost nothing. A clean, minimalist bio (e.g., your city, one emoji that represents your core vibe, and a link or contact email) projects confidence. Let your content and your profile picture establish your personality. Cluttered bios with too many emojis, hashtags, and buzzwords often look amateurish and desperate for attention.

2. Leverage the 'Show, Don't Tell' Rule

Broome doesn't write 'I love surfing and fitness' in his bio. He simply posts photos and videos of himself at the beach or working out. Use your grid or your TikTok feed to demonstrate your passions, hobbies, and professional skills rather than just listing them in your text bio. Visual proof is always more compelling than a text claim. Let your audience discover your interests organically through your content.

3. Master the Art of the Carousel Dump

Stop agonizing over the single perfect image. Grouping 5 to 10 diverse photos into a carousel post increases engagement time (as users swipe through) and allows you to show multiple facets of your personality. Mix a professional headshot with a hobby photo, a niche meme, and a candid shot with friends. It makes your profile feel dynamic, lived-in, and highly relatable.

4. Cross-Pollinate Your Network

Broome frequently tags his friends, castmates, and collaborators. Building a personal brand doesn't happen in a vacuum. By actively engaging with and tagging your peers, you tap into their audiences and create a sense of community. It shows you are a team player and helps you build a recognizable social circle online, which is invaluable for networking and collaborative growth.

5. Embrace Imperfection

Not every photo needs studio lighting. Including slightly blurry, motion-blurred, or casually lit photos in your feeds signals that you are living in the moment rather than staging every second of your life for the internet. This 'anti-curation' is the highest form of modern curation, signaling that you are comfortable in your own skin.

Sources & Further Reading