Written by: Averroes
My Thoughts
As a young boy growing up, I often see the world shrouded in a perplexing state. Why do we live in a hierarchy and why do people follow or look up to certain individuals. At school, I remembered that our teacher told us to wear costumes, resembling our 'role models' or people that we perceived as famous. I never had anyone in mind, I was just a little clueless boy.
When I was in my early teens, I soon realised and had to acknowledge the fact that this sociological phenomenon has existed since mankind existed from the earliest civilisations. There is nothing we can do about it. Today, I found out that it is not necessarily all bad or good. There is a fine, sharp difference between what constitutes to be a resolute celebrity and a downright bad one.
Now, we have arrived to a hot topic regarding business-entrepreneur-philanthropist celebrity, Ebit Lew. A viral video was released which implicated him of sexual conduct. A police report was open to investigate this matter. The authorities call upon the public to not further disseminate information involving him, while pending investigations.
Earlier before that, there was feud between him and Caprice. The latter made certain statements, related to the former's involvement in the Gaza strip's charities and humanitarian aid, which his ethics, treatment and conduct toward the inhabitants there became a topic of question. One of Caprice's concern was a picture of Ebit Lew handing over a doll to a child which caused uneasiness among the locals.
Investigations are made under section 233 of the Multimedia Communications Act 1998. Because of their fame, society is placing high scrutiny and nosing into his life because of his social influence. This will be further explained below.
Celebrity, Obsession, Parasocial Relationships
According to Cambridge Dictionary, a celebrity is defined as 'someone who is famous, especially in the entertainment business.' While there is no direct or concluded definition of a single term or word, the world has different interpretations and understanding of what a word could convey.
Celebrities cover many fields and backgrounds, including inside entertainment, sports, science and political spectrums, which they are important for consumers. They control cosmic influence on media, truth be told, it may be faulty to assume that all of them are appealing or in countenance. They also present themselves actively as an elitist image in public relations (television, movies, special events and talk shows.)
Consumers flock to them, due to their high standards of achievements which they wish to emulate to and try to imitate their identity (role models). This identity is sliced between the good and bad, on a subconscious parallel. There is a difference between celebrities and heroes. Celebrities are founded upon fame, while heroes are measured to their victories and achievements. Though, celebrities could also be heroes.
This is why as humans, we would have to follow and heed steps before those who bring amazing changes and contributions to the world. Toxic obsession, cognitively speaking with negative celebrities, especially inculcated in tender years leads to materialistic views, narcissism and self-absorption.
Wielding this influence and in helm of command, they are able to attract many of these consumers to their cause and produce income. When there are product advertisements, people are willing to spend their money and time for these individuals regardless.
Some may suggest that their appeal meter is calculated by their presence or charism, or a matter that is innately embedded within them, research found that it correlates with their personality.
Most of the favoured personality of a celebrity is derived from their opulent lifestyles, being charming or romantic. It is also dependent on their scale of physical attractiveness and positive dispositions (congenial). Being attractive also comes in the package of being amiable or interesting.
Positive dispositions would also cover aspects of sincerity, intellectuality, skills or abilities and their progress of success in life. They may also have the ability to induce feelings of euphoria or excitement among their consumers. The opposite is being rude and incompetent in varied situations. Therefore, they would have to be very vigilant of their behaviour.
Research indicates that celebrities clout through fame. That fame could translate to their inappropriateness. Their esteem and character are projected through the versions how media and fans create it for them and perceive them in a specific way or sense. They are ordinary and normal beings such as us with similar talents, but high publicity and resources enables them to expand to large consumers or audiences.
Once the media is command, a particular narrative of the celebrities are placed, which orientates how people think of them. At the same time, celebrities try to stand out and be different from others, to become authentic would be going against the norms. Becoming a celebrity is now more convenient and accessible as ever with modern technology. Even an ordinary person could elevate to the status of celebrity, without having to display merit or ability.
Long-term speaking, appeal may plummet, not just due to their rudeness, but the lack of activity or dormant publicity. They have to constantly keep update and use much resources to their advantage to gauge more audience and reach to consumers. After ruminating all of these data into mind, we would have to question ourselves further.
This is only a one-party affection for another, that the other does not reciprocate back to us. This is known as a parasocial relationship, which is unrequited. We may be addicted, patronising or have this invisible intimate feeling for another, which they themselves do not know us to personally.
Examples in films
Social Syndrome;
A film from Thailand depicts eight (8) episodes of the unlikely world of social media. There were two episodes that caught the attention of the author. One episode was regarding fans buying many bottle caps. Those who had the special code on the caps, would win a ticket to stay inside a hotel room with a female pop-star. This episode uncovered the deadly secrets inside the entertainment and business industry that we never anticipated.
Another episode was about a nurse who became viral online, just because she performed CPR on a asphyxiating man on the streets. Even an ordinary person could do that. However, with the tool and power of social media, added that she is physically attractive, it posited many online attraction. It all swoops down that, she was very dependent for attention and online-validation, she was severely affected by negative comments and judgements from others. In the end, she put all the blame on her boyfriend.
K-POP;
In Korea, the sad reality is that, from videos and documentaries on YouTube, the entertainment industry is radically different from what we expect. These 'idols' or celebrities have to adhere to strict rules and regulations, from their vigorous dancing and singing trainings, their dietary intake, their personal interactions with others, their behaviour and standards. This causes stress and other related mental or physical harm to them. While it is rainbows and sunshine on camera or sets, it is a grim reality behind the curtains.
Fangirl;
The man she admired with good personality was actually abusive, a drunkard, uncouth and a smoker. She suffered severely and it was a mistake of her own-doing. Not just her, but it also implies that all celebrities cannot be assumed to be angels or free of sins. This is a fact that as humans, we all make mistakes. It is terribly wrong to be obsessed with a person, rather the qualities and good traits that they exhibit is something we should strive for.
Conclusion
People care about celebrities because of their lifestyles and personality. They are hinged to their narratives and stories, because they may be inspired or would like to emulate those individuals. They possess personalities that magnetises people to them, finding a parasocial relationship, one which is unrequited. However, this may breed a false sense of intimacy and instills negative traits if the celebrity themselves are narcissistic and rude. They may also be viewed to seek online validation and approval.
In this day and age, ordinary people could become celebrities or stars without effort. This is apparent from their physical looks only. Though, physical attractive may be the sole reason, every person is not born equal. As humans, we are still able to become successful or a celebrity, whichever you would like to say, by other intangible attractiveness, through your intellectuality, sincerity and talents or skills. This requires perpetual effort.
Media plays a vital role to channel these personalities, we would have to be very technology-literate in order to increase the magnitude or reach of ourselves to our audiences. Consumers do not just help sustain our livelihoods, but are also our supporters and backbone of our success. They yearn for us, and to remain relevant is to find different ways to maintain that fame or public image. This may be good or bad, depending on how we view the situation.
Though, one would have to be very circumspect of their reputation and their behavioural outlook to consumers to evade diminishing fame. One single blunder could diminish their credibility. In the end, we have a canvass for us to paint our own story of our lives, and take inspiration from others without betraying or changing who we are. Forming a parasocial relationship is unhealthy, because self-love and validation is what molds us to become more mature and developed person.
References;
Lunardo, R., Gergaud, O., & Livat, F. (2015) Celebrities as human brands: An investigation of the effects of personality and time on celebrities' appeal. Journal of Marketing Management. Retrieved from, DOI: 10.1080/0267257X.2015.1008548
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