Within recent history, we have all seen stars such as Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears check themselves into rehab for one reason or another. I begin to wonder what it is about stardom that causes such young people to first resort to such harmful outlets and then have to seek help for it. Do they want the spotlight so badly that they will allow themselves to harm their bodies and minds in order to have their fifteen minutes of fame?
Look at Britney Spears, for example. When she first hit the "big scene", she was your average teenage girl...cute clothes, nice hair, bubbly personality. But as the years progressed and her fame became bigger, things went down hill. From her Las Vegas wedding to partying into the wee hours of the morning with two young children at home, it makes young people all over wonder what happens to famous people. I can speak for myself and I'm sure other young people as well that the non-famous twenty-something year old is not going off and having their head shaved and then checking into rehab. Or, we are not out partying five nights a week and seeking help for alcoholism at the ripe age of twenty.
So, back to my question: How do young stars become the way they are? Perhaps the pressure of always being watched becomes too much. The thought of having cameras on you every time you go to the grocery store or go out to walk the dog is a lot. After a while, it seems that it would become so bad that you don't even want to leave your house! So what can we do for these young stars? We simply cannot tell them not to become famous because that's not the answer. What can we do? Unfortunately, as much as people do not like paparazzi, the average citizen keeps them in business by buying tabloids and watching the entertainment shows on television. Why do we give into it?
What makes it about famous people that we are so fascinated about? Why do we care so much what they are wearing, what they eat, who they hang out with, or what time of the day they take their pets for a walk? Why do we become so obsessed that we cause these people to barely come out of the house and when they do come out, they must be escorted by an army of security? This isn't a healthy way for anyone to live.
So, why do so many young people admire celebrities? What makes it about them that they seem so much better than everyone else? So, they're in a movie every once in a while. Or, they're on television every week. But, when they are on that screen, they are acting. Even singers act when they are performing. That's all it is...performing. Why are we so into wanting to know everything about them?
Maybe we will never know the answer to that question. Little children may admire celebrities because they aspire to be those people. It's like admiring your parents or your favorite teacher. You want to BE that person eventually. You admire them for what they do and what they teach you. But, unlike teachers and parents, we may never even meet the celebrities that we paste on our walls. Why is America obsessed with celebrity?
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I get what you are saying but you are only seeing one side of the fame. Not all stars end up like Britney Spears or Lindsey Lohan. There are plenty of stars who start the business young and end it happy. I have to perfect examples John Travolta and Will Smith. Both theses men are happily married, have children and allow there children to follow in their foosteps. You may say what about the females. Angelina jolie she may have started off rough butlook at her now.
"Trying is Failing with honour."
First of all, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to solve the conundrum of celebrity worship. I personally think it's pointless, but I seem to be in the majority regarding that issue.
However, i also don't think that it's the so-called "pressures of fame" that cause these young stars to make bad choices. I think its the fact that they don't have anyone around to tell them what they can and can't do. I mean, your average 20 year old is either a) living at home or b) away at college and living in a dorm or c) has an apartment. in each of these places, there are rules. now it may seem like having an apartment would be akin to having complete freedom, its not. i cant count how many of my friends with apartments have gotten noise complaints or had the cops stop by to break up a party. But if you're a celeb, you have no rules. you can do whatever you want. you have the money and the free time. and if someone close to you tries to tell you otherwise, you have them escorted away by your security. theres no safety net to prevent them from getting into trouble like normal people have.