Celebrity must initially be an exhilarating experience, depending of course, on the speed and nature of its arrival and the substance upon which it is based. It then empowers the newly-famous to consolidate their sense of identity and, where desired, to exert a substantial influence on the non-celebrities of the world.
That influence can be done in a positive and helpful way or in a negative and damaging manner. In entirely different circumstances, but with certain similarities, celebrity can be either beneficial or damaging to the celebrities themselves. Today’s article focuses on that.
There is a general perception that celebrity brings happiness and wealth. Wealth is the easy part of the equation. Celebrity invariably creates substantial financial resources from own skills, endorsements, merchandise and business ventures – a status that is good to have, but does not guarantee happiness. Most enjoy the resultant financial strength and stability, though the extravagant and spendthrift would not agree. Famous movie actor Errol Flynn claimed that if you died with more than US$ 1 000 in the bank you hadn’t lived. He died broke, of course.
The happiness side depends on how the fame arises, what it creates in third party behaviour, how the celebrity adjusts to the fame and its characteristics, and how the celebrity is used.
Arrival into celebrity status invariably has a significant impact. Where it emerges quietly and is based on intrinsic value within the person, then grows gradually, you would have to be a very shy person not to enjoy it. To be celebrated for what you have achieved is always a deeply enjoyable sensation. To continue to enjoy that in a stable manner without conceding to excess vanity would be ideal. Nevertheless, you would need considerable self-discipline to ensure celebrity does not embrace elitism and arrogance. And would you know who your true friends were – other than the ones you had before you became famous!
A sudden, precipitate arrival in celebrity, especially big celebrity, is another matter. You win America’s Got Talent or rescue a careless tourist from the jaws of a shark (though that would deserve even more than celebrity!) and it could easily send you “off the rails.” You’ve gone from being no one, invisible on the street, to being recognised, greeted or pestered in some extreme cases, by everyone.
How do you come off that? Not easily and it’s precisely the challenge that famous actors and singers have faced over the years especially after special events; where everyone’s screaming your name or rampaging for selfies, and the excitement can’t be switched off. Many celebrities seek the calming of the nervous system by drinking alcohol and, when that’s not enough, taking drugs. Sadly, and utterly unknown to those who’ve gone down that dangerous road, the best way is to get on a mountain bike in Eswatini and ride like the hammers of hell into the beautiful hills and winding paths. That would bring their mind back to normal.
A big drawback is that you lose your privacy. Once celebrity has arrived, you are recognised and get special treatment wherever you go. You are watched every minute of the day, at the lowest level by a penniless member of the paparazzi – the opportunist photographers – ready to take a photo of you in as embarrassing a situation as is possible. Those are the photos that make money. You are continually judged and effectively controlled by the world. Mistakes are harshly criticised and magnified. Your life is not yours anymore. Now if you’re a decent person with no unusual and unacceptable behaviour to hide, you worry less about that. A favourite saying is, “What you really are is how you behave when you think no one is watching you.” But there’s still a loss.
Coping with your own celebrity has always represented far more of a challenge than the fan-base would ever imagine. Many celebrities are treated for anxiety and depression which may be difficult for the public to appreciate. Fame can impose an unrelenting degree of stress. Some even get “stage fright.” Despite the inevitable injection of a boost to self-esteem, there can be a continual pressure of living up to public expectations. Healthy and happy romantic relationships can be considerably less easy because you never know for sure whether you’re loved purely for your celebrity.
One golden rule in society generally is that change is inevitable. The Celebrity Culture is no exception, an excellent example being the advent of social media and celebrity involvement in it. The continual interaction with media and fans through the social media and through interviews and public events has helped celebrities maintain their reputations and create a more human public image.
The celebrity becomes more real and genuine; easier to access and relate to. Those celebrities who do not engage in the social media might be considered non-inclusive and inaccessible. The social media have raised the public’s degree of entitlement. “We made you famous; now engage with us.” There are changing values, where the youth, especially, value attainability and the impression of celebrities being more like them. That may be gaining more importance than the traditional indicators, such as degree of uncritical adoration of status and wealth.
Perhaps, the ideal type of fame lies with the celebrity writers. They’re among those who get the best seats in the restaurant, but few recognise them and nobody bothers them.
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