What is a Celebrity?
A celebrity is a person famous for their public persona, image and personal narrative. Celebrities embody aspirational versions of success, beauty and power and they act as cultural benchmarks. They influence social, cultural and political discourse and are commodified for advertising, endorsements and other business purposes. Understanding the changing nature of celebrities provides insight into broader social, economic and technological dynamics. Celebrities range from the divinely inspired heroes of antiquity to today's social media influencers.While some celebrities reflect the cultural and social concerns of their time—athletes like Muhammad Ali or Jane Fonda, for example—others have created a cult following that transcends their accomplishments. The rise of social media and reality television have democratized fame, allowing ordinary people to cultivate their own celebrity by becoming popular online or on TV. This new kind of fame has been dubbed "famesque" or "celebutante," and it has changed the meaning of celebrity as it's become less defined by actual achievement and more about personal branding.Many scholars have criticized the culture of celebrity as promoting shallowness and objectification of human beings. The Frankfurt School thinkers Horkheimer and Adorno argued that the rise of celebrity culture signaled a society in which image is more important than substance. They used Hollywood film stars as an example of the way fame is detached from true achievement.Modern celebrities often serve as political figures, using their platforms to influence policy, shape public opinion or even run for office. Some celebrities, such as Greta Thunberg or Colin Kaepernick, use their status to promote activism and social justice issues. The popularity of celebrities can also affect the political climate in a country, influencing electoral outcomes and increasing or decreasing the likelihood of celebrity candidates being elected president.For most celebrities, the experience of fame comes with a price. Being a star in the public eye is not always easy, and being constantly subjected to the whims of the paparazzi or the demands of adoring fans can take its toll on health and mental well-being. The fast-paced nature of media cycles means that celebrity reputations can rise and fall just as quickly, and keeping their spotlight requires constant reinvention and fresh material.The word celebrity derives from the Latin "celebritas," which means "famous ones." In ancient times, this referred to divinities and other powerful figures in mythology or religion, but by the 17th century, increased literacy and cheaper, faster printing technologies enabled people to read about and see images of famous writers and actors like Voltaire, Rousseau and Byron. They became public intellectuals and renowned personalities in their own right.The early 20th century saw an explosion of celebrity culture brought on by the rise of cinema and the emergence of studio systems, where actors developed personae that were often far removed from their real lives. The modern era of celebrity was further democratized by the advent of mass-circulation newspapers and later by television shows such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians, American Idol and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which have allowed everyday people to cultivate their own image and persona to become famous without traditional accomplishments or talent.