Following and being a leader, with status, from a far, is also a form human connection.

Religions have already for centuries scaled that, mostly by being an idol & not getting personal. Whether that's a priest, or a Tibetan Lama, they normally don't mingle, they do this be not being "authentic" but by representing an idea or principle.

That's what a lot social media "influecners" are trying to accomplish. And what personal branding attempts to do.

Is it wanted? Probably not. But it's definitely somethng that connect to the human psyche.