The Cult Of Celebrity Essay

883 words - 4 pages

The Cult of Celebrity
Fame is a fickle beast. Unfortunately, in the world today it is also a beast of burden and finding one to carry you around for a few hours is as easy as it has ever been. Even as we pine and fawn over the "famous for being famous" crowd in Hollywood, thousands more find temporary stardom on the Internet through less traditional means. So, what defines fame in a world where ping pong balls or clever Photoshop skills can garner someone international acclaim?
The Tinsel town Classic
Fame and stardom may be evolving, but the same silver screen formula has created numerous stars and starlets that still capture the imaginations of millions. Movies are undeniably the ...view middle of the document...

Latching on to the Hollywood lifestyle and holding on for dear life, this type of celebrity transcends recognition for accomplishments because they have not accomplished anything. Paris Hilton is rich and parties with other famous people. Kevin Federline married Britney Spears, a woman who used to be the biggest pop star on the planet.
The cult of celebrity is intriguing because it feeds on itself. Even as millions of readers and fans sit idly and wonder what exactly these men and women did to become so famous, they ravenously devour the information fed to them on a daily basis by sites like TMZ, supermarket tabloids, or idle workplace gossip.
Even individuals who no longer earn their stardom, such as Lindsey Lohan or Britney Spears can find their way into this category through a litany of captivating, if largely dim acts. Being in the public spotlight has an effect on people that is impossible to understand. For that reason, celebrities have been known to act strange, falling victim to their own stardom and the surreal realization that everything they do is being watched.
Fame for fame's sake is an odd accomplishment and only made possible by the oversaturation of news and entertainment media. Thousands of shows, websites, and paparazzi make the industry boom and carefully worded copy and special reports ensure that the viewers and readers of the world become attached to these odd individuals who have somehow become pariahs and saints in our consumer culture.
The Homegrown Celebrity
The old modicum that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame has never been quite as true as it is today. The internet has created a culture in which anyone can become famous for anything, largely because of the user-defined credos of sites like YouTube and Blogger. If anyone with internet access and a cheap video camera can become a superstar, there are likely to be millions of superstars.
Oddball humor such as Ask a Ninja or the video blogging of LonelyGirl15 are prime examples of how a single individual with a webcam can become an international superstar overnight. The free flow of information makes it possible. Of course, what this means is that even the famous can become more famous by using this philosophy. Bands like 'Ok Go' made a name for themselves with homegrown music videos of choreographed dance routines and treadmills. Even advertising campaigns are taking the viral route these days, using unnamed movie trailers and cleverly crafted videos.
The internet provides the largest demographic in the world and only a small percentage of that demographic needs to be curious about a video or blog to make it successful. For that reason, clever ideas and word of mouth are all that a person needs anymore to become famous.
Everyone Else
That makes the rest of us consumers. The world is full of consumers and viewers, those individuals who watch as Tom Cruise says odd things or Paris Hilton goes to jail. Everyone else sees us watching and the content...

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