The word celebrity is a combination of two Latin terms: celebritas (fame) and renoun (celebrate or esteem). In its modern use it refers to people in the public eye who have achieved fame and adulation, often as a result of their work but sometimes for other reasons. In a celebrity-driven culture, people can become famous for something they do or even just for how they look or what they say. The celebrity phenomenon is an important part of contemporary society and is a valuable source of study.
Students are often asked to write about celebrities as a topic for an essay. This is not surprising, as celebrities can inspire strong opinions from both sides of the spectrum. Some people regard them as aspirational idols while others see them as self-absorbed egomaniacs. Regardless of where one stands on the celebrity scale, there is no denying that this is a fascinating subject to explore.
It is also an extremely important topic for the modern era, given the way in which it has come to pervade all aspects of life and is a dominant force in our media-saturated world. Studying celebrity is a way to understand how fame is constructed, marketed and commodified through PR strategies and endorsements and how it impacts business, politics and social discourse.
To be considered a celebrity, a person must have an extensive reach across the public sphere of influence. This includes a large number of followers on social media, as well as the attention of the press and the general public. The term is most often used to refer to those who are famous for their work in fields like entertainment, sports or politics, but it can also be applied to those who have a significant impact on popular culture or business.
The idea of celebrity as we know it today began to crystallize in the 18th century with the rise of print media, when poets such as Lord Byron enjoyed widespread adulation and scrutiny. With the introduction of movies in the early 20th century, stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley cultivated larger-than-life celebrity images. It is also at this point that the concept of celebrity started to merge with commercialism and mass entertainment, as Hollywood became a model for image-driven culture.
In addition to individuals, some families have become known as a whole for their celebrity status. Examples include various royal families (often interest in them is highest when there is scandal involved, as with the House of Windsor) and artistic dynasties such as the Barrymores, Cassidys and Jacksons. There are also numerous political families who have become a type of household name, such as the Kennedys, Roosevelts and Reagans.
