A celebrity is someone who achieves a significant level of recognition or fame within the public and media. This can be due to their career, talent, or achievements. Celebrities can also be known for the things they do in their personal lives, such as raising awareness for certain causes or donating to charity. Regardless of how they became famous, celebrities usually have fans who follow them and admire them. For some, this is a good thing, while for others, it can lead to a life of excess and an unhealthy obsession with fame.
Celebrities can be found in every field of life, from politicians to sports stars to authors and singers. They can also be found on social media platforms where they interact with their fans and build their following. Some have even become political figures, like Hillary Clinton or Pete Buttigieg, or are best-selling authors, like Barack Obama or Van Jones. Some have even delved into television and movies, such as Jennifer Aniston in Friends or George Clooney on the medical drama ER.
The origins of celebrity date back to the earliest days of civilization. In fact, some of the most well-known ancient celebrities are philosophers, playwrights, and athletes. Plato’s Symposium features several prominent Athenian celebrities, including the politician Alcibiades, the actor Aristophanes, and the athlete Leonidas of Rhodes.
Throughout history, the type of person who becomes a celebrity has been determined by the type of medium through which they receive attention. The earliest celebrities were hereditary titled individuals, such as kings and queens, who gained status because of their bloodline. As technology advanced, the rise of photography and penny presses allowed more people to see pictures of these individuals, while increased literacy and cheaper, faster printing enabled writers and poets to reach a larger audience.
Today, the internet has redefined what it means to be a celebrity. Through the medium, celebrities can communicate with their followers and build a following that might be impossible in other forms of communication. However, this richness of media has also demeaned the value of celebrity, reducing it to something that can be achieved by anyone.
As the media continues to evolve, it is likely that more people will find themselves becoming celebrities. While this may be a positive thing for some, it can also lead to an unhealthy obsession with fame and a lack of self-reflection among many individuals. For example, some people may feel the need to constantly update their social media accounts in order to stay on the “celebrity” train, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons and negative body images. Additionally, a culture of celebrity can also contribute to a lack of empathy towards other members of society. For these reasons, it is important to take a step back from the superficiality of celebrity and consider how this culture has impacted our lives. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide how they want to live their own lives.
