Starry-Eyed Society

 

I've always wondered why so many people put celebrities on a pedestal and become so obsessed with them. It's perfectly fine to like and appreciate their work, whether it's their music, acting, or achievements in sports. These individuals often bring us comfort and joy with their talents, and that's a positive aspect.

 

But why do celebrities, whether they're actors, musicians, athletes, or others, get treated like they're a cut above the rest of us? They were fortunate to have a talent and worked hard to excel in their respective fields, ultimately achieving fame. I've often found it a bit puzzling why we elevate them to such heights. I doubt that most celebrities are particularly concerned about the people who put them on that pedestal, so why would an average person invest so much energy into idolizing them?

 

While I enjoy watching and listening to certain actors and musicians, I could never fathom obsessing over them to the point of taking out a second mortgage or working an extra job just to follow their every move. It raises the question: why are celebrities treated like gods, as if they can do no wrong, as if they're superior to the rest of us?

 

Of course, I have a few celebrities I admire and would like to meet if the opportunity ever arises. My desire to meet them is not about placing them on a pedestal; it's about acknowledging the impact they've had on my life and the hope that meeting them would help me form a more informed opinion about who they truly are. To me, it all comes down to gratitude and loyalty. If a celebrity can't offer that to their fans, then they aren't deserving of the adoration.

 

Throughout my life, I've been lucky enough to meet numerous celebrities and even develop close friendships with some of them. I treated them with the same respect and courtesy I would extend to anyone else. Surprisingly, a few of them mentioned that my down-to-earth approach was a breath of fresh air.

 

I've encountered both good and not-so-friendly celebrities, and recently, after a decade of "friendship," I've come to realize the toxic nature of a particular celebrity family.

 

Do we elevate celebrities (and individuals) to pedestals because we believe they are superior, more attractive, or flawless?

 

I was deeply disappointed when one of my former favorite groups, Air Supply (no longer among my favorites), turned out to be a huge letdown.

 

I used to pride myself on being a good judge of character, believing I could never admire someone with racist tendencies, narcissism, or those who caused harm to others, whether physically or emotionally. However, I was profoundly mistaken.

 

Then, there was Engelbert Humperdinck. I quite literally "idolized" this man, primarily because he held memories of my grandfather, for which I felt a deep gratitude. Over the years, I believed that we were friends, mostly with his offspring. But gradually, I began to see their true colors.

 

They certainly muddled things up, and I thought I'd never recover from the disillusionment. Yet, recover I did.

 

First and foremost, it's essential to acknowledge that we have no real knowledge of these individuals. Numerous celebrities excel at creating characters that elicit our love or disdain. But does that necessarily reflect who they are as individuals? Could they not just as easily portray themselves as decent human beings while hiding a darker side? Regrettably, the answer is yes, and we've witnessed this happen repeatedly, leaving many of us in shock and heartbreak. It's worth noting that the feelings of astonishment and disappointment in such situations are entirely valid.

 

I grew up witnessing the media repeatedly placing numerous stars on pedestals, so should I follow suit? I've elevated countless people, only to watch them tumble, one by one. The most frustrating part is that they don't always seem to care. Some rush to cover up their shortcomings or conceal them.

 

The most painful aspect is that falling from their pedestal doesn't wound them; it only inflicts hurt on you. This is what I call The Pedestal Problem. They don't feel the impact of the fall, but you're standing right beneath them when it happens. The higher the pedestal, the more it hurts when we're hit.

 

The thing is, this is our doing. We shouldn't be raising anyone up there because no human is superior to us. No one is flawless or perfect; they are just as flawed as we are. Ultimately, we harm ourselves because that celebrity couldn't meet the standards we set for them.

 

Being a celebrity is their profession. We pay them to entertain us in some way. Does that make them talented? Yes. Does it make them special? Not really.

 

Does it excuse their terrible behavior? No, it does not. I'm not suggesting that what any of these people do is acceptable. Some of it is terrible, and some are worse than others. They must be held accountable for their actions. As a society, we should cease the practice of placing celebrities on pedestals and portraying them as more than they are.

 

Speaking from personal experience, we shouldn't elevate ordinary people either. It's even more painful when they fall. We should all be on the same level. We can admire a person's talents, but we must remember that they are still just human beings, just like us.

 

Now, please excuse me while I figure out how to get Johnny Depp and Daniel O’Donnell down because if they fall, I’m setting the world on fire. Ha!

 

Remember, we can aspire to be more like those we admire, but that doesn't make them inherently better.

 

So, once again, I pose the question: Why do we set higher standards for celebrities than we do for ourselves? I mean, I can understand it if they were politicians because their decisions can have far-reaching consequences for their careers, and that line of thinking makes sense to me; it's rational because they have influence over our lives. But do celebrities really have significant influence over the public at all? It frustrates me that when celebrities experience the same life challenges as the rest of us, the media sensationalizes it. After all, who among us doesn't know someone who has been through a divorce? Yet, when it's a celebrity, we choose to make it public gossip. This is not right. We need to stop placing celebrities on pedestals, for their well-being and for our own.

 

However, in defense of celebrities...

 

The public is undeniably fixated on the inner workings of actors, singers, and athletes because we tend to view them in a way similar to how people once regarded Greek gods. Paparazzi relentlessly shadow them, attempting to capture these "gods" in their natural habitat. There's an insatiable need for the public to know where they shop, who they're dating, what they're wearing, and so much more. Celebrities are expected not to make any mistakes; they're not allowed to be human. Why should we be surprised that Tiger Woods faced personal issues? Why were we shocked by the troubling revelations about Bill Cosby? Why can't we accept that, on the outside, the late Robin Williams put on a smile while battling depression?

 

Celebrities undergo the same trials and tribulations as the rest of us, but they have to do it with a smile on their face and an explanation ready to go. Yes, they owe much of their success to us, but does that give us the right to peer into every aspect of their lives?

 

No matter how much we enjoy movies, songs, or games from our favorite celebrities, it doesn't mean we truly know who they are. While some are like open books with little mystery, the majority yearn for privacy and boundaries. Celebrities who aspire to live a "normal" life seem even more appealing because it becomes a challenge. I can't imagine having my life broadcast for all to see; it would likely drive me to a mental breakdown.

 

Despite their seemingly glamorous lives, celebrities are still prone to making mistakes and poor choices. So, the next time a star gets a DUI, goes through a divorce, experiences a mental breakdown, cheats on their spouse, uses drugs, or engages in any other behavior that prompts media scrutiny, let's try to remember this: Celebrities will continue to make poor decisions because they are human, just like the rest of us. We should keep in mind that, despite their seemingly endless opportunities, they are imperfectly human, just like us.

 

But while saying all that, it's essential to remember that it doesn't justify using and abusing people based on their status.

 

When celebrities are elevated to an extremely high status, media consumers tend to overlook their flaws and transgressions. This is particularly concerning, given the increasingly young demographics on the internet and the prevalent perception of celebrities as role models. Problematic behaviors, actions, or views can easily go viral, which can pose problems for their predominantly youthful and impressionable fan base. If a celebrity commits an obvious wrongdoing and faces insignificant consequences, the gravity of their actions is often lost on their audience, leading them to believe that such misconduct is acceptable.

 

Moreover, this adulation allows celebrities to evade the repercussions their actions might have on their careers and potentially abuse the power they wield. Celebrities' fame tends to shield them from substantial scrutiny when their actions are questionable. Even when questions do arise, they are often drowned out by ardent fans, who work to insulate the celebrity from severe criticism.

 

The excessive glorification of celebrities dehumanizes them. Fans often feel entitled to information about a celebrity's personal life and the entertainment they provide. Many forget that celebrities are individuals with lives beyond what they present to the public, and they have the same right to privacy as their viewers. This sense of entitlement frequently leads to harassment and safety concerns for celebrities, as well as intense pressure to meet their fans' high expectations.

 

In the end, the adoration of celebrities has detrimental effects for all parties involved. However, celebrities themselves are not inherently problematic. In fact, they often serve as essential role models and can mobilize their audience for positive causes. The issue lies in the unhealthy way celebrities are depicted and idolized. To mitigate the adverse consequences of celebrity glorification, it's crucial to view celebrities as ordinary people, treat them accordingly, and hold them accountable for actions that warrant criticism.

 

---

 

While on the subject of celebrities. Here’s a little bonus from my point of view: How to meet your idol and keep your cool.

 

As I mentioned earlier, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of celebrities, some nice, some downright rude, some I have become friends with, some I truly admire for their dedication to their fans.

 

So here’s a little on how or what you should do and say when you meet your idol.

 

Meeting your idol can be easy to have your breath taken away, but you’ll probably have a more meaningful experience if you keep your cool.

 

The excitement can take over and one’s rambunctiousness can simply go overboard so what you need to do is just reign it in a little bit.

 

The best thing to do is take a deep breath, make eye contact, smile and use their public name before complimenting something specific about their work.

 

You want to say something positive about them, like, “I really enjoyed your last album, and then name a song you really enjoyed. Because if you say, I’m your biggest fan, it’s too generic and not very sincere.

 

After you’ve properly introduced yourself, complimented and gotten your favourite star’s autograph, the polite thing to do is say goodbye. At the end you just say it was wonderful meeting you, and thanks for the autograph and leave. Don’t hang around too long, because it makes them uncomfortable and if you become too gushy it’s kind of creepy.

 

And I have a great tip!

 

If you’re going to take a picture and put your arm around your favourite celebrity, don’t let your hand drift below their belt.

 

Joking aside don’t shy away from your chance to tell them what their work means to you. They’re people just like you and I. Be gracious to them. They will respond, and it will be a mutual experience.