Who Wants to be a Celebrity?
82Voted Most Beautiful Woman in the World: Jennifer Lopez
"The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another's keeping." Dale Carnegie
The more appropriate title for this would be 'Who DOESN'T Want to Be A Celebrity'? What is the fascination with being famous? The spark that got me writing this was watching a TV show the other day when someone was interviewing random people in the teens to 30's. The interviewer asked questions like 'How Many Kardashians Can You Name'? Because of constant media messages, even I could name 3 of them; Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney. Most people interviewed could name 5. The next question was how many women in congress could people name- most people had no answers!!! Sadly, I realized I had about 3 (Nancy, Hilary, and Gabrielle) off the top of my head and there are currently 72. Bottom line, we know our celebrities.
With the creation of facebook, and other social networking sites, and blogging, everybody and anybody can have a taste of recognition. Some people on YouTube get a few minutes of fame as well. Reality TV shows also prey on celebrity wannabes. Being in a fake limelight that our society has created, has also given people a taste of the downsides to being a celebrity; media and people love negative news. Rumors get spread on facebook and next thing you know some kid is committing suicide. Reality TV stars are abusing drugs, fame, and alcohol.
Celebrity Phenomena
Maybe you've seen the popular TV show, 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire? But I think it's really about who wants to be a celebrity and what people wouldn't do for 15 minutes of fame. It's clear celebrity phenomena is all the craze. Are celebrities better than us or something to aspire?
I was about 16 years old when I was able to answer this question. I picked up my first copy of a celebrity magazine and saw shocking headlines. The pictures in magazines of female models, actresses, and pop singers randomly caught on camera without make-up on was also shocking. These were women whom I thought to be the most beautiful in the world. In fact, I was convinced they came from another planet because I had never seen anyone that beautiful in real life. To see them au natural was a real eye-opener. They were no more beautiful than my next door neighbor. They were really nothing special.
Celebrity headlines read; drug abuse, mental illness, invasion of privacy, cheating and divorces. Of course I don't believe all the headlines, but we can all guess celebrities are not immune to pain and displeasure in life. The ONLY thing they have that we don't is more money.
And still, the average person will compare themselves with celebrities even though everything about them is over exaggerated. The perfect model sees only her flaws, the sexy actress's husband cheats on her, and the actor who plays a hero on screen, commits suicide in real life.
Often, celebrities are portrayed as possessing skills, abilities, and good looks beyond average people and they receive disproportionate appraise for the ordinary. At one time in history, talent and skillful creations were recognized and rewarded. But now it seems people become famous for just existing; a reality TV show, viral sensations on youtube.
It's been said, "You simply have to be present, in the right place at the right time." Publicly famous people were once defined as such and given attention based upon their remarkable skills. Now someone can become a public person just by being a person in public, no talent required.
The average person would stoop to their lowest low in order to get 15 minutes of fame.There are teens in school that compromise themselves by doing anything to be one of the cool kids. What does it say to us when celebrities are able to gain leaps and bounds in their careers after they've been to rehab (Robert Downing Jr.), gone crazy (Charlie Sheen and Mariah Carey), deadbeat mom (Britney Spears), and eating disorder (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen), or thrown in jail (Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan)?
- How to Become a Celebrity - wikiHow
How to Become a Celebrity. Have a personality, any personality. Without this, things won't go easy. You need to have a way of living!
- How to Act Like a Celebrity | eHow.com
How to Act Like a Celebrity. It takes a bit of luck and maybe a modicum of talent to become a celebrity, but anyone can imitate a celebrity by following a few simple steps. In today's tabloid world, merely imitating a celebrity...
Do you have what it takes?
Interestingly, majority (over 75%) of people consider themselves above average in intelligence and looks. Now we know that's just not true- look around the proof is everywhere. Very rare is the person who is measurably above average in looks or intelligence, perhaps certain skills, but the aforementioned. This is a false sense of ego and self- esteem.
The younger generations believe success is measured by recognition and status, and set their sights on being a celebrity even though they could be overlooking a true talent or strength in something else. Brains are being ignored for beauty. They are growing up in a world where celebrity is possible for even a homeless person (Ted Williams, man with the golden voice). Today's society has navigated their way out of recognizing their personal strengths. Rather than building upon already existing or inherent skills, they are going where the recognition is.
Claim to fame
The ugly side of pretty
Most casting calls and selection processes for reality TV shows have a psychological type test to check for openness, competitiveness, and basically a willingness to do anything for anything. That last one is not a compliment! Once on a show, you will be cast as a type; dumb jock, slut, home-wrecker, or drunk bitch. Even reality TV is a fake, one-dimensional world. You've been branded.
Celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, and Bob Dylan have all hinted about the ugly business of being a celebrity. The reason so many of them go off the deep end is because of the hard nature of the business. Many are at the whims of producers and fans and not as much of what they actually want. Dave Chapelle for instance went on record to say that executives for one of his comedy shows wanted him to dumb-down hi act.
In many cases, 'selling one's soul to the devil' is an accurate portrayal of fame and fortune. Artists forfeit creative control, women forfeit brains for beauty, values and integrity are thrown to the wayside for money. And still, I ask what is the fascination? As someone who has witnessed celebrities trainwrecks (run-ins with Courtney Love) I can tell you there is nothing pretty about it.
Must Read
- The Ultimate Guide To Not Caring and Being Awesome | AlmostFearless.com
I had to post this guide because it gave me a chuckle.I have met some people who based every decision they made on trying to get other people to like them.
Mom was right: Just be yourself
Celebrities, other than those born into it, stick out in a crowd by being themselves. Popular talent shows such as American Idol, contestants are chosen for having something unique. Singers that sound like someone else, no matter how good they are, are often not chosen. The only way to be different is to be yourself because nobody else is.
The people who are trying to be like another celebrity by copying looks and talent, are shortchanging themselves and will never stand out. Unfortunately this is how many 'beginners' think they will reach stardom. They immerse themselves in celebrity media and inadvertently end up like someone else. There is only one Lady Gaga, only one Michael Jackson, only one Elton John, one Jack Black, one Gordon Ramsey, and I hate to say this, but there's also only one Britney Spears too. Even when some of these people hit rock bottom, the public is still attracted to them because they are endlessly entertaining. Not everyone has true star quality, and thank God for that!
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I couldn't agree more Will! I'd definitely have a pen name and couldn't be recognized by name either. I love the anonymity of writing.
BTW, you are far prettier than Jennifer Lopez. ;-)
izettl - I have two sons, eighteen and twenty, who go on and on about how someday they are going to be rich and famous. To them it all looks so cool, but I don't think they would really like the experience if it ever actually happened to them. As for me, I can't think of anything I would like less than being famous - rich might not be too bad.
I think you did a wonderful job of putting into words what I think of every time I see yet another celebrity show or reality show. I personally don't understand the utter fascination that the masses seem to have with celebrities - they are, in most cases, just ordinary people who were in the right (or wrong) place at the right time as you said.
WillStarr -
You do make a good point about being a successful writer, especially if as izettl mentioned, you have a pen name.
And Will Starr is my pen name! ;-)
Will, thank you for the compliment. I love your pen name- perfect for your writing too and compliments the cowboy hat!
Cybersister~ A lot of youth nowadays is so fascinated by celebrity. I think we used to believe it was a long shot or not easy to do, but with reality shows, etc, people believe it is now easy to be famous and anybody can do it, but most are not cut out for that life. I personally would want no part of being famous, like you said. It seems more of a curse.
Great article as always, Izetti :)I think people need celebrities as something and someone to compare themselves with. It is like comparing with a fantasy and I think everyones knows that, at least adults. For younger people it is harder to distinguish what is genuine and what is fake about celebrities. And they can´t really see the downside of that sort of life. What strikes me when I see celebrities in talk shows and so is that so many of them have personal problems of some kind. Everyone needs applauds now and then but maybe they need it more than others!
I wish they could show more ordinary photos of celebrities!
Tina
How can we not be 'into' celebrities...they are every where we look. The crazier they are the better the public loves them. Frankly, and it must be my age, I could careless about them. I do have some favorite actors but I couldn't name the Kardashians. Actors are just people like us and yes, you are right the only thing they have over us is money. Darn, I want some.....Good hub as always...
An marellen is my pen name too. lol
Fantastic look into the craze or quest for celebrity. And you are prettier than JLo and Gweneth, though both of them also have other talents in their repertoire too - as do you.
What a great quote by Dale Carnegie! It's true beyond just the applause area - taking one's cues from others in any area of being is relinquishing it.
I'm smiling at how much my 14-year-old great granddaughter resembles JLo without makeup! Almost spooky. When I first clicked on your hub I was wondering where you got the picture of Bryana!
I was told I looked like Audrey Hepburn when both of us were young. It was rather flattering, but I preferred being me. My eldest sister was constantly compared to Vivien Leigh in "Gone With The Wind". So - ? Well, it had an effect on her life - but in those days, before TV and all the mass media, movies were the only place one became aware of the celebs and they managed to stay on pedestals more easily.
I confess I've always wondered what fame would be like, while going out of my way to stay out of limelight. In fact, HP for the past 13 months was the first exposure of any but a whiff of my art, writing and lifelong poetry except for a website to which I went out of my way to not draw public attention, other than friends and kindred spirits. I'm more than happy to have people - - real people - - say they like my stuff and even that they get some good from it. It is soul-satisfying to interact with more new real people.
Writing is among the better ways to be "out there" without being possessed by it. I'm not sure about pen names, though. If one wishes to be real, why use another name? Maybe, though. I've considered one (the first name my Mother favored for me and her last name) but since being online for 14 years, I've been pretty much who I am. When asked for a nickname by my ISP at the beginning, I chose the one I'd had as a kid. Then one time when I applied for a site, it was "taken" and I didn't see settling for being Nellita2, so I just used my own name, which has gone with me since then. Actually being "renamed" by others to suit themselves over my life has probably made me adamant to be myself, anyway. But I'm all for doing what suits oneself.
I just love your article. Every young person - and many older ones - should read it and give it serious consideration. It really is pathetic that so few regular "people on the street" can name any person in a position to really affect the quality of their lives and the country's but know every faux "celeb" there is, including Pimpin' Snooky. Sheesh. As for any historic or classic characters of the civilized world - too many really pull sub-blanks.
This is an excellent article. Be yourself is right. Mothers usually are right. Rated up!
An excellent look at our celebrity obsessed culture. We have far too many Rupert Pupkin and Roxie Hart types out there. (By the way, you are a beauty.)
Rob
Fascinating hub, izettle. Abraham Maslow postulated a hierarchy of needs and meta needs (after basic needs are satisfied) are the desire to be recognized by others as significant and valuable. I call it the drive to feel important and I believe everyone has it to some degree.
Celebrities who are basically insecure personalities may need more "importance" reinforcement than the rest of us.
DRBJ - perhaps a need to be recognized as significant and valuable is different from seeking validation for who one is, which is the next step toward self-actualization? The hierarchy seems to refine the needs toward ever more esoteric ones, with self-acttualization at the apex. It's been a long time since I read Maslow, though, so maybe I'm fuzzy about it.
When I was a young girl, I changed my mind on who I wanted to be like when I grew up. I wanted to be either Victoria Principal or Julia Roberts. I am happy with who and what I am since at least high school. I realized after Princess Di and her death. That I am happier not having to worry about being hounded by the paparazzi. My mother always told us kids. To thine own self be true. Great hub! Vote up
thougtforce~ thank you for stopping by- always a pleasure. What you say about celebs is right on!i agree adults know the difference between fantasy and real, but younger generations are exposed to way more fantasy that even my generation was. Also with Reality TV it gives an impression to youth that anybody can be a star.
Marellen~ I agree, we're bombarded with the media about celebs. I was actually shocked when i realized that I knew a few of the Kardashians. I don't watch their show at all and don't read the magazines but I hear it on commercials and news,etc so it was as if I was fed that info subliminally.Thanks for the comment.
nellieanna~ I wish more pics of celebs looking normal were circulating in the media because many 'average' people look similar or better than some of the celebs and essentially we're comparing ourselves to someone who may look like the ordinary person next door- or your great grand daughter (she must be beautiful). Thank you so much for your wonderful comment.
Pamela99~ As much as I hate to admit it, mom was right. My mom always taught me this becuase I was a very tall girl. Thanks to all the moms!
Rob~ Thanks for reading. I get so tired of the celebrity obessesion. Like someone mentioned above, it is a fantasy world, but I don't think the youth of today are recognizing it as such. Thanks for the compliment, but I tried to find and ordinary pic to show we're all comparible and celebs aren't anything special, except for the ones that actually have talent.
drbj~ I think you're very right about celebs needing more reinforcement. I look back and I was an only child- I thrived on that attention and was in drama classes and clubs for quite a while. I like the attention for my characters i played but I did not like the attention on me (just me as a person) so I would not have made a good celeb, I like my privacy way too much, even on my facebook and in real life I am quite private. Thanks for the comment. I vaguely remember Maslow's need pyramid, but I believe there is a need to be recognized, etc. Just take a look at wannabe celebs who starve to live in Hollywood and try to get acting gigs.
Jo~ pricess Di was also a wake up call to me about the lives of celebs and popularity at a severe cost. I love my peace and quiet and privacy too much to care about being a celeb. I liked Julia Roberts too and Sandra Bullock was my fave!
So when I looked at the photos of Gweneth, Jennifer and you, I thought you had the most striking facial structure. Not flattery, just the truth :)
I honestly think celebrity beauty is largely packaging. Ordinary people are quite beautiful, in my opinion.
And there's no beauty enhancer like love. I think my kids are the most beautiful sight ever. When my husband & I fell in love he wrote me a letter saying "You are the most beautiful, most elegant woman imaginable." I didn't think I was the most beautiful woman in the world, but he thought so, and that was all that mattered.
Thanks Grace~ very nice comment. I like what you said about ordinary is beautiful. So very true and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I think many celebrities, if we saw them normal like us and walking by on the street, we would not think twice about them. But media and publicity enhance (more like exaggerate) their image to make us think they are more beautiful than the rest of us. Your husband sounds very sweet- what a wonderful comment to you!
God I love that picture of you. You're beautiful, and we have the same nose.
I've heard that being a celebrity is like being in prison. I'd love to be famous if I could turn it off and on like a light switch, but 24/7? No way.
Good hub sis. Voted up, useful, and awesome. You're the best of the west girl. Now I'm off to work on that e-mail. It's going to jean ... got it?
jim
Jim~ What are you saying about my nose? I always hated it growing up but it's just become a part of me- lol. I purposefully picked a picture that was not incredibly flattering so that people can see we're all ordinary in looks but it's everything else that matters.
izetti - Nothing wrong with your nose. God gave you that sniffer for a reason. LMAO.
Pretty is in the eyes of the beholder. Ugly is just ugly. Make-up is a star's best friend ya know?
4 stars on this one Izzy girl.
The Frog
Izetti, first of all let me say you are not ordinary, you are striking. I truly mean that. You remind me of Celine Dion. Which brings me to this point. I love Celine because she is such a kind person and soooo gifted with that voice of an angel, and these attributes make her even more beautiful than her already god given physical looks. As I have gotten to know you here at the hub, I believe you to be an amazing person and therefore this thought adds to your already blessed physicallity and to me(and many others)you are striking!
I believe young people are an easy target when it comes to the media brainwashing. I have been researching and writing about ths since college and intend to do a piece here as well. Commercialism is now targeted more to young people, and not in the traditional sense through commercials, but through reality tv. The powers that be aren't merely trying to sell our children "things" but a lifestyle. Brand loyalty is no longer towards Nike because of Michael Jordans fan loyalty, now, the dream is to BE Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton, To HAVE everything that they would represent name brand wise, including physicallities(large rear end, hair styles,etc.)Marketers have ingeniously designed programming that flies under the radar of the laws of commercialism towards children, it's heinous.
As a young girl I wanted to be famous, I believe young people go through this stage. I wanted to be a rock star. I practiced in the mirror, joined the guitar club in highschool and hoped to be discovered,lol. Now that I am grown and can see that these people, these celebrities, are slaves to the media masters. They don't look like any slave any of us has ever seen; they own many riches and have the red carpet rolled out for them as they are our American Royalty, but in reality they must trade their freedom to privacy for this lifestyle, and to me, my right to privacy could never be bought.
Another reason I believe people, especially children, fall in love with their "stars" is attributed to what I touched on before. My favorite show for the longest time was friends. I fell in love with these "characters." This kind of type casting can be dangerous to a celbrities career, but I also believe it creates a "brand loyalty," and as I said before, the brand IS now the celebrities themselves. Because of the show friends I fell in love(the friend kind of course,lol) with Jennifer Anniston. She is the girl next door, but I think she is gorgeous. I USED to believe Angelina Jolie was gorgeous until she stole Brad Pitt(who I also thought was gorgeous) from my beloved Jennifer Aniston. I know longer think that Brangelina(how corny is this hollywood branding)is good looking, and I do not watch any of their movies or support them with my dollars. Another example, Jack Black, I love him and if I weren't happily married and neither was he, I would marry him! I love comedy and his humor rolls me in the floor, his humor makes me think of him as highly attractive, as a regular person on the street, I wonder how many ladies would look past the little round belly long enough to find out about his hillarious sense of humor?
Izetti, thank you for yet another thought provoking read:) I have written a new hub but not yet published, should be up later today or tomorrow, but I would love if you would check it out, its an idea I had about a personality disorder and I would love to hear your thoughts:D (big smilie)
Whatta you mean you've always hated your nose? That's MY nose, and I've always loved it. What the hell's wrong with our nose!? Neither one of us has ever had a problem getting laid. My son's got my nose, and my daughter's both have their mom's little cute nose and they both hate their noses. They like mine. (yours)
In the old days cars proudly displayed their emblems on the hood. You could aleays tell if it was a Chevy or a Ford or what ever. Now days you can't find your car in a parking lot especially if it's white. They all look the same. My car is a white Malibu. The only way I know which one it is, is by clicking the alarm. Our noses make us unique. Our proboscis is our emblem. We wouldn't be us without them. You're a babe and you know it sis.
jim
THanks so much Froggy! I'd rather have a nose than a cople of nostrils like a frog- lol. Thanks for stopping by.
Tammy~ onwderful comments coming from someone as pretty as you- thank you. I wish I had Celine Dion's voice though. But nothing is prettier than seeing someone live by using her gift.While I am sad to know your gifts went unrecognized by a talent scout, I wouldn't wish that celeb lfe on anyone. I always wanted to be an actor, but never wanted to be famous. I love attention but would hate a lackof privacy even more. I agree celebs are now brands. We see movies just because it has a certain celeb in it.
I will check periodically for your new hub. Hubpages somehow never notifies anymore on newly published hubs by my favorites. Also, feel free to use the contact button on my profile and post the link to your hub on that.
Jim~ there is something wrong with our nose for one of us Being that you are a man and I am a woman- not many features bode well for both sexes. So either your nose is girly or mine is manly- lol.
izetti, I finally got it published, I have a hard time with the pics, but they add so much. And by the way, you and Jim both have a beautiful nose, mine has been broken three times and I love your nose!:D
THanks Tammy
Ever have a problem getting laid sis? I didn't think so. Our noses are outstanding! get it? (snickering)
jim
Great comments. Enjoyed Voted up and awesome!
Great hub.
Very funny Jim! I'm sure my 'luck' had more to with just my nose.
dallas9344~ Thank you very much.
pretty~ thanks for the comment!
Some thoughtful thoughts... I have spoken and lived in a non english speaking country with it's own culture. This culture was not really influenced by outsiders that much. No-one here would know who is important to them, who is a celebrity and who is considered to be handsome or beautiful. They have their own way of judging this, so someone who looks great in America might be considered ugly to them or vice versa. OK....this means that some of us who feel ugly in one particular society can always go somewhere else and if you feel are too famous for your own liking you can go to a place where they look at you as if you were normal . Some people can relax a bit more when people are not staring at them all the time.
Whoisbid~ something similar to what you're saying is when I learned about people (I don't recall where it was though)that purposefully got their women very chunky in order to attract men- this was also an example of how U.S norms of skinny is best, is not so in other parts of the world. Somewhere , somebody fits in! What a great point thanks for sharing!
I understand having goals and dreams, but I don't understand why someone needs to be or strongly desires to be on the cover of a magazine. I just don't get it. But of course I'm still happy to read the gossip magazines for those who have put themselves out there.
Strictlydating- thanks for the comment and I completely agree.
When I first wanted to write, the thought of fame was there. However, in reality it has very little appeal.Pride of craftsmanship and a reasonable amount of money would suit just fine.
dahoglund~ Me too. The thought of my name in print on a book was appealing then I decided I would just use a pen name anyway, as I like my privacy too much. THanks for stopping by.
IZ,
i know you did not write this for people to shower praise on you but shut up about your nose... your absolutely HOT, thats just physical beauty, your insides i dont mean your small intestine or lier-who you are is even more beautyous than the outside- your smart warm caring knowledgible you dont put "on airs" due to your hotness, your a good caring person and REAL- allot of celebs- do things to look better-you dont have to your already in the lead,i am not saying your ready for canonization but I can tell just how you treat fawning readers and those that "get in your grill".
Fai but firm- some of us *cough*TH*cough* could learn a lesson from you...
TH
TH~ you've treated me so nice and I love your opinionated humorous way about you, but dang buddy those were some of the nicest words I've heard from you. I'm still smiling...
IZ,
Sorry, I only try to speak the truth -maybe Nicholson was right"and you cant handle the truth".that does not mean I'm caling you Tom Cruise-that would be mean. *snicker*- just callin em as I see em Iz.. Cant hide the truth
TH
Tom~ Oh I know you can't hide the truth- that's what I respect and love about you most Tom. You can't fib a fibber!
I've always wanted to be famous without anyone knowing my face. The money and the ability to influence a large audience without getting bombarded by photographers.
That would be ideal Danielle!
IZ -D,
you got that riht... i cant go anywhere without people pointing and screaming "Godzilla AAAGGGHHHH" real tough to go anywhere i especially used to like chinesse but tey just run and hide...
TH
Not Tom! You're funny, Godzilla is scary, but I could see why people run from you anyway.
nice review
WillStarr Level 8 Commenter 11 months ago
That's part of the lure of writing. If you are successful, everyone will know your name, but you can still go out for dinner and no one will recognize you. :-)