Celebrity: Encyclopedia II - Celebrity - Rise of celebrity culture

Celebrity - Rise of celebrity culture

The modern mass media has increased the exposure and power of celebrity. Often, celebrity carries with it immense social capital that is highly sought-after by some individuals. High-paying jobs and other social perks unavailable to most people are readily extended to celebrities, even for work not connected to the talents or accomplishments that made them famous. For example, a retired athlete might receive high "speaking fees", or compensation for public appearances, despite his talent having been sports, not oratory.

While some envy celebrities, and many aspire to celebrity, some who have attained it are ambivalent about their status. Often, celebrities cannot escape the public eye, and risk being followed by fans or paparazzi. As well, child celebrities are notorious for having poor emotional health in adulthood, and often turn to drug abuse when their celebrity (as it usually does) fades. As adults, celebrities may suffer from Hollywood marriages which quickly end in separation or divorce.

Some participants in reality television shows have admitted that they appeared on these programs with the goal in mind of attaining celebrity. Most often, they achieve only "fleeting celebrity" with no social or economic value. However for those with career ambitions in the media, it can be an ideal start as a fastlane to fame as an actor or presenter. For example, the Australian Big Brother semifinalist Blair McDonough landed a major part in the worldwide-broadcasted family soap Neighbours (even some plot elements mimicking his BB performance).

Celebrity culture, once restricted to royalty and mythical figures, has pervaded many sectors of society including business, publishing, and even academia (the scilebrities).

Only a small proportion of individuals in any profession can achieve true celebrity. For those who do, the benefits can be substantial-- in the form of speaking fees, book advances, and high-paying "consulting" jobs from firms seeking access.

There are disadvantages as well, however, academics and business leaders who become well known often lose credibility with their colleagues, or at least fear so - that is must not be so, at least if they have the good sense to be somewhat selective about the non-specialist appearances they make, was proven in 2005 when canon law professor Rik Torfs, who would have stood no chance before he proved a very witty, erudite and original guest in political and general backgound programs on Flemish TV and in leading quality newspaper De Standaard, was voted a close second by the academic community in the election of a new rector (active chancellor) of his -Belgium's major, Catholic- university KULeuven.

In many fields, such as the arts and publishing, a moderate measure of celebrity (being "established") is necessary before individuals are able to "get respect". Most non-famous individuals in these sectors are poorly-compensated, though they may be as talented or more so than well-compensated, famous people in the same field.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Rise of celebrity culture", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki