Nationwide obsession with ABC's 'hero' David Muir explained
EXCLUSIVE: While not much is known about his private life away from the cameras, David Muir has caught the world by storm, and the Mirror US has all the answers
It's no secret the nation has an obsession with ABC World News Tonight's David Muir, but not many fans actually know why.
The 51-year-old long-time news anchor has a charming personality, but all fans ever see him do is deliver the latest news and updates on the world from either the studio or when he reports live from the scene.
It's not just ABC World News Tonight viewers who adore the journalist, as on social media, David has racked up a whopping 695,000 followers on his Instagram account, where he regularly gives fans a small glimpse into his life away from the ABC studios.
When it comes to what has caused the so-called 'David Muir effect' Candace Newton, Clinical Director at Seaside Wellness of Palm Beach, thinks she has the answers.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror US, Candace began, "Every weekday at 6:30 p.m., viewers welcome David Muir into the living room, and his voice and features are instantaneously recognized by the brain as safe and familiar. Repeated exposure, steady delivery, and direct eye contact engage circuits that are often only used by close friends.
"His occasional Instagram images of his puppy or a relief effort raise dopamine, but the mystery is preserved by the absence of details. That access-erase combination is more intriguing than the glut of movie stars," she added.
"Rather than seeking entertainment signals, Muir plays to the hard-nosed public relations skills that the anchor desk assumes: believability. His clothing hasn't changed, he rarely provides personal profiles, and questions about his sources are still being asked."
The expert continued, "One branding strategy is scarcity. Audiences are given access to little pertinent information that lends authenticity without coming across as forced, such as the fact that he had previously interned at the Institute on Political Journalism, had a picture of Peter Jennings on his desk, and used Spanish when reporting from the field.
"Those encounters create enduring respect that goes beyond a red carpet experience. Although high viewer interaction boosts ratings, the anchor may experience stress as a result," Candace concluded.
Gemma Logan, PR Expert at Groopeze, also weighed in on the phenomenon, telling Mirror US, "Unlike actors or musicians, news anchors are admired for being relatable rather than glamorous. They represent intelligence, professionalism, and composure. Muir fits this archetype perfectly. He looks the part, but he also feels accessible. He is handsome in a way that feels natural and familiar rather than remote or unattainable."
She added, "There is a psychological aspect at play here too. People are instinctively drawn to figures who combine stability with a touch of aspiration.
"Muir embodies the idea of the everyday hero, the person who handles great responsibility with grace. He represents the qualities people wish they could see more of in public life: integrity, poise, and kindness," Gemma concluded.