Celebrities you love to hate – Part 1

Quit acting like jealous teenagers and face the facts. Everyone just loves to focus on the negative side of celebrities. Britney being at the top of the list. Why not grow up and focus on how many millions of dollars Britney Spears has donated to charities and foundations, i.e. cancer foundations, Hurricane Katrina relief programs, Hollywoods Kabbalah Centre, and thats just in the year 2006 alone. Or how about the camp she runs to nourish kids hopes and dreams of being entertainers. For all we know her camp could be housing the future best actress/actor academy award winner. The future number one artist on the charts. Im not saying “The Britney Spears Camp For The Performing Arts” is the only camp of its kind, but it is, one more opportunity to make a childs dream come true. The fact is that because of Britney Spears, each year hundreds of thousands of children have a place to go to be encouraged for doing what they love. One of the many reasons its an incredible foundation and sets itself apart from many others, is the fact that it is FREE. That in its self is amazing. We as a society need to stop sending out so much animosity towards celebrities and their personal lives. We need to start letting them know we appreciate the great things so many of them do. We all have our personal demons and problems, its just that they are not splashed across Page Six News. Society needs to ban together and spread positive news instead of getting together to spread gossip about peoples personal lives we know nothing about. We are not teenagers, we are adults (some of us) and we need to start acting like it. What about the men, women and children on your nightly news who were raped and murdered, can you tell me about them? Ask your kids what they think of Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. Then ask them about Martin Luther King and see whom they know more about.

A look at celebrity

Celebrity-inspired toys have changed drastically since I was a little girl. In the 1980s, these toys gravitated more to boys it seemed, with GI Joe and HE-Man being front-runners (based on popular cartoon celebrities). X-Men were popular as well, and any little boy worth his salt knew who Superman was even when I was growing up. For girls, the still-popular My Little Pony toys were tops, and Barbie, of course, was riding high. Followed by those were the now almost unheard of JEM dolls and Trollz (which are trying to make a comeback in my five year olds’ age range).

These days, actual real-life celebrities inspire more toys for girls. From Mary-Kate and Ashley to Hannah Montana, Barbie has completely been revamped. Britney Spears and Cristina Aguilera have made an appearance in this category, and the beloved Lucille Ball has become famous all over again with a whimsical line of her own Barbie dolls. There are many of these type Barbies to choose from, and a good portion of them aren’t as highly priced as they used to be. Most range in price (depending on where you buy them from) from $20-$50 and up. There are many cartoon-based celebrity toys as always for girls, and many have changed little to none in the last 10 years or so.

For boys, movies still seem to be the big theme for toys. Transformers, Toy Story, Cars, and Spiderman lead the pack in popularity based on what shows on the shelves, with Star Wars and Justice League-themed toys in a close second. These can be pricey for large sets, but single toys are comparable in price to many not as popularly themed toys. There aren’t nearly as many real-life celebrities making their mark in boys’ toys as cartoon-based celebrities. Whether it is because there are fewer male models for this type of toy or because the cartoons are more popular has not yet been determined.

Overall, celebrity-themed toys are getting better all the time. I am waiting for the day when Virtual Reality makes it a moot point because children will be able to “play” with the celebrity him/herself. Children of all ages will be able to “play” with Batman, Superman, GI Joe, and so many more simply by imagining that they are doing so. Technology makes leaps and bounds every year, and more and more VR-themed toys are introduced into the market (mostly still either in test phases or extremely costly). It won’t be long though, until celebrity-inspired toys go back from whence they came (oblivion) in place of being able to play with the celebrity in the closest form imaginable: VR.

Do celebrities have a positive or negative effect on society? – Part 6

Donate money. Support the troops. Help teachers who can’t get supplies for their classrooms. Believe it or not, celebrities around the world do all this and more. They also have the added disadvantage of having their worst moments caught on tape, on TV and in the news and they’re constantly in the public eye. They have to deal with all the ups and downs normal people deal with – dating, death, divorce, drinking, stress, marriage – and they have to do it with the world watching. I’m not saying all celebrities are perfect or that all are great. They’re not. There are plenty of celebrities I wouldn’t want painted as role models. But there are just as many who do good things. And of those doing good things, many of them do it privately – which says even more about their character.

At the end of 2007, I wrote for a blog that described the types of positive things celebrities do. I don’t work for the blog anymore, but it changed the way I view celebrities. It’s easy to say that they do drugs and that they drink and get drunk, but everyone has bad moments – the worst moments of celebrities are just publicized.

Yes, celebrities have more money than the average person, so they can contribute more. But how many of us are contributing anything? How many everyday people work to support the things they believe in? Honestly: not many.

Consider these good things, big or small, that celebrities have done:

*Hayden Panettiere: This “Heroes” star did two things I think are pretty awesome. She participated in an event that got other teens to sign up to vote and she risked arrest to save a bunch of dolphins.

*Angelina Jolie: In addition to adopting a bunch of kids, Angelina regularly participates in a number of humanitarian events.

*Jessica Biel: Held a charity auction to help the family of a girl who lost her leg after she was hit by car pay for medical expenses.

*Emma Thompson: This British actress spends half her time raising money about HIV and AIDS in Africa, Breast Cancer and informing people about the horrors of the sex industry by portraying women sold as sex slaves around the world.

*Brad Pitt: Helped raise money to build nice, attractive houses that people actually want to live in, in New Orleans, replacing homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

*Johnny Depp: After his daughter got sick, Depp donated money to the hospital. Easy enough for someone who makes millions of dollars, right? The thing I really admire is he dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow, and visited other sick children in the hospital, reading to them and spending time with them. That’s more than just money, which ever celebrity has in abundance, that’s giving a part of yourself, and doing something that actually has meaning.

*Colin Firth: This British actor puts his money where his mouth is. He is a firm supporter in all things green and has recently opened an eco-friendly store.

*George Clooney: Worked with his father to produce a video about the crisis in Darfur. He’s trying to get other people – and the U.S. government – involved in helping the Darfurians out.

And those are just a few of the celebrities who contribute what they have to make the world a better place. And the thing is, because of their status as a celebrity, people can actually listen to them. Yeah, it goes without saying that celebrities do drugs and break the law. We hear about it every day. But they’re involved in a lot of positive activities, as well. They’re not perfect, but who is?

Why Babe Ruth is regarded as Americas ultimate sports celebrity

The Great Bambino is certainly the first and in some ways the ultimate sports celebrity of all time. When Japanese soldiers charged the Americans in the trenches in World War Two they would always scream, “To hell with Babe Ruth!” Not the president, not capitalism, not the secretary general. Babe Ruth. When it went down to things getting lethal that was the image they chose to attack, and it symbolizes the mythic statue of the game’s greatest slugger.

Babe Ruth was the first man who appeared larger than the game. His mystique is hard to quantify but it certainly encompassed celebrity status. Here is the player who would brag that he made more money per year than the president. His personality changed the social atmosphere of sports and through him the notion of the celebrity athlete was born and raised.

Kids loved him. Never before had the notion of the athlete as role model for kids been so vivid. Babe Ruth would throw children balls on his way to the stadium. He was always very supportive of young baseball players….

He had truly epic moments such as “the call” that stand out forever in sports history These moments made him seem more like a superhuman than a mere mortal. His smiling mug in 1930s was established as a veritable trademark.

Of course there was a dark side as well. Babe Ruth proved all too human in terms of drinking and womanizing and the press only gave him a free pass because it was a different entity back then. He also created the image of a controversial athlete, at least among adults in the know.

Babe Ruth was the first sports athlete to accept major endorsements from a number of courses and athletes have been following suit ever since. This is only a good thing as it allows players to cash in on their image instead of the teams they play for… And they can all thank Babe Ruth for that.

Celebrity gossip: Paris Hilton & Britney Spears

Paris Hilton and Britney Spears are without a doubt two of the most famous, richest, and most talked about celebrities in our society today. They dominate the headlines, even overshadowing somethings going on with the was in Iraq. Whatever they do or say is always the headline for the day. Why? Because of their careless decisions and the fact that they act like teenagers who haven’t grown up yet.

Let’s start with Paris Hilton. She’s famous (for absolutely nothing), people love her, and she is a role model to some unfortunate kids or teenagers. And what does she do? She goes out every night, parties, gets drunk, and goes off and does lord knows what. Most recently, she finally had to go to jail for these ignorant actions she makes. She is really a joke to all celebrities. I would hardly call her an actress, nevertheless a model. She might as well have the job as a professional party girl. Her parents, especially her mother, are in denial of this and act like she is a perfect little angel. Yeah right. She needs to stop acting like a little girl, and grow up. And her aunt, who just wants to be famous, is probably just using Paris as a source to become rich and famous. So to Paris Hilton; she’s probably a nice girl and somewhat bright, but she has got to grow up and stop being so darn selfish. There are little girls who (unfortunately) look up to you; think about them for a change. If they see their favorite “heiress” acting like a child, how will they react or think? Did you think about that Paris?

And now lets talk about Britney Spears. Okay, where do I begin with this lose canon? Britney, unlike Paris, actually had a bright future. She was a great singer, and even I enjoyed her music and her movies. I could tell that she was just a canon ready to explode. This girl is absolutely insane. She has two children, and yet she goes out with her friends every night and parties. She is immature, selfish, and needs to grow up. What kind of mother leaves your children behind, and goes out and parties and get drunk? I’ll tell you; a SELFISH, IMMATURE, mother. Maybe while she was out at the clubs with Paris, she’d realize that she is a mother and needs to stop it. I never really like K-Fed, but at least he did some of the work for his kids. He grew up a bit; all Britney has done is dug a deeper whole for her to get out of. Now, I’ll give her some credit for going to rehab and trying to mature a bit. But until she drops the whole “Paris Hilton partying” thing, she’s got a long road ahead of her.

Part of me wants to print this out and mail it to those to children. But then the sensitive side of me kicked in; I wouldn’t want to hurt these immature brats feelings. But if I did, maybe then they’d think about other people instead of their selves. They both seem like nice girls; but they have a long road to go before I’ll ever call the adults.

Have celebrity baby names set a baby naming trend? – Part 4

Celebrity and celebrity baby names have always triggered a naming trend -hell, everyone knows at least two Dianas, and my kids will each probably know four, when they finally arrive. I am grateful in my belief, however, that no one in my generation relishes calling their precious offspring by the name of a fruit (Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Apple” WHY?) Nor are they interested in giving that offspring a name that even a pet would refuse (Angelina Jolie’s “Maddox”) which also sounds like a foul-tasting medicine (as in “Oh yeah, I had that -I recommend 2 ladles of Maddox to clear your system.”)

It is perhaps unfortunate that neither Apple nor Maddox feature in the world’s list of “Parents Who Want To Guarantee Their Children Psychological Problems.” No, that list is headed by Mr. Frank Zappa, with children named “Moon Unit”, “Dweezil” and “Diva Muffin.” A close second, in my opinion is Paula Yates with, I kid you not: “Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily” matched by Bono’s buster “Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q.” We may forgive David Bowie, for naming his kid “Zowie,” and, at a stretch, even Sharleen Spiteri of Texas for naming hers “Misty Kyd” but who but God could forgive Jermaine Jackon for naming one of his kids “Jermajesty”? Nor Jason Lee for naming his “Pilot Inspektor Riesgraf”, which almost makes Jermajesty sound like Antoine? And WHO could manage the lie that either Penn Jillette’s “Moxie CrimeFighter”, Gerry Halliwell’s “Bluebell Madonna” or Nick Cage’s “Kal-El” will undergo a happy, mentally healthy childhood? Not me. And not my generation.

What price do celebrities pay for fame

In the past few months a lot of celebrities have been in the news for the wrong reasons. Lindsay Lohan is just the most recent among a rash of celebrities generating more buzz of screen instead of on it.

The jailing of Paris Hilton has apparently done little to curb the reckless behavior of the young celebrities of today. Now she may be the first of many celebrities to face the wrath of the law. I say good, because they are not above the law and even you do the crime you better be ready to do the time. Driving with a suspended license is one thing, driving with cocaine in your car is another. If another one is jailed, we can look forward to more photos and more ridiculous news coverage which should be devoted to something important like our economy. We can also look forward to the exclusive post-jail interviews where they claim they have reformed, an promise to do good.

Much has been made about the rise and fall of Britney Spears, I personally believe that all those years Britney was on top were an act. Now we are seeing the real Britney Spears, a washed up no talent bimbo who isn’t even 30 yet. If I were her I would seek immediate professional help.

If I were her family, I would sign her up for a psychological profile. My point is further validated by her recent meltdown during a photo shot for OK! Magazine. Reports indicate that after Britney arrived late to the shoot she was rude those she was to be working with.

First she refused to you there make-up team then she rejected their approved wardrobe. Once this occurred she use a dress as a napkin and allowed her dog to use one as a bathroom. Now I am not expert on proper etiquette but this strikes me a bad behavior. The cherry on top for the day was Britney walking out of the shoot with $15,000 worth of clothes that weren’t hers. If I were Britney I would join Mike Tyson in Bolivia, or someplace where she can never be heard from again. Good luck trying to keep your kids Britney, any just judge with even an once of common sense would agree that she is unfit to care for herself let alone two small kids.

Part of the blame for the recent behavior of these celebrities falls on the media. There has been an increase in the amount of attention these people receive and not surprisingly there has been an increase in dangerous celebrity behavior.

Every week magazines across the country are filled with celebrity news and gossip. Certain persons in the media paint these celebrities

Celebrities: Why were completely sick of celebrity news – Part 11

Hi everyone, this is your Australian Helium correspondent adding my 2 cents to this topic.

WHY WE’RE COMPLETELY SICK OF CELEBRITY NEWS….. Hmmm now you have me on a hot topic and I am going to have to force myself to behave and not go into an overload of rage when writing this.

Celebrities…You see them in the magazines, in the news, everywhere. I am so sick of it that I loathe to go to a news paper shop for fear of catching a glimpse of the latest “shock” headline about some famous person doing this and that. I don’t care. I really and truly don’t care.

It makes my blood boil when I read the headline and it says “Posh spice having a hard time trying to find a house, a school for her boys”. Good grief what a slap in the face for us normal everyday parents who juggle full time jobs, managing a home on a minimal wage. We don’t have servants, maids, grounds keepers, nannies, cooks, chauffeur’s to drive us around. We are the average person trying to keep our lives afloat on the see on hard knocks.

They don’t need to worry about mortgages, loss of income, worrying about how you can stretch the budget.

I find it truly insulting to hear about these so called “super mums” who have to manage a career with raising a child.

My personal circumstances at the moment are at an all time low, it could be said that I am writing this out of jealousy, but it isn’t. It is just so unfair. When you look at Britney Spears and how she is a as a mother. But because she has money and is famous it is ok. She gets away with it, and she has minders for her kids. She can afford to do what ever she wants whilst the rest of us slug it out.

These days I believe these starlets are having a child because it may change how people see them. A publicity stunt more than likely. The need for good press.

I seriously doubt that the majority of celebrities could manage on a basic wage, living in suburbia and having to go without for the sake of your family. They don’t have to go to job interviews or get a good job to keep everyone fed, clothed, educated.

They just have no idea. I am sounding bitter because I am. Because in this world there are people who should be in the news, humanitarians, missionaries. People who work with orphaned children and don’t do it for star status. There are mothers and fathers in poverty stricken countries who have to fight to live through each day without one of them dying. That’s who we should hear about. Not the latest of Paris Hilton’s goings on.

I wish I could start an Anti celebrity magazine. One that says the opposite of the trash written in the popular celebrity magazines.

Now I know I have probably rambled on a bit…I knew that would happen. Because this is one subject I get truly hot under the collar about. I say enough is enough. I don’t care, stop printing it…Because I believe 99.9% of the world wouldn’t give a dam about them. It is just money grabbing headline trash.

Predicting how celebrity babies will influence Hollywood for years to come

Dashill Furnier, Elijah Bleu Bono, and Georgia May Hall are all celebrity babies

that no one has heard of because they chose not to be a part of the limelight.

It’s ludicrous to think we can predict how celebrity babies (in general) will

influence Hollywood in the years ahead. Vincent Furnier (Alice Cooper) and his

three children have formulated the Solid Rock Foundation to keep kids off the

streets and from getting involved in gangs and drugs. It is a non-profit Christian

center which holds activities all year like dances and parties (but sorry no

alcohol) and other constructive projects. Slyvester Stallone boasted that his

recent spiritual conversion is most important in his family. He

deliberately moved away from tinsel town to take his children away from it’s influence. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) would never give reporter’s the names of his

children because he wanted to protect them from stardom. Lourdes and Rocko will

never know the Madonna we remember as her spiritual commitment has taken priority

in her life. Elijah Bleu Bono had his chance at fame with two well-known

parents, Sonny & Cher, but he was no chip off the old blocks. Jullian Lennon, who

sounds just like his father (John) when he sings never wanted to make it a full-time

career. The list is endless. There are more celebrity kids that find out that

Hollywood is not all that it is cracked up to be and chose not to go down that path.

Georgia May Hall, is one of Mick Jagger’s (Rolling Stones) three children.

Your reactions to the trend of foreign child adoption among celebrities – Part 4

With such celebrities as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Madonna, and Meg Ryan all getting recent press coverage for their adoptions of children from impoverished nations, there is a temptation to say “These people are adopting kids, monkey-see, monkey-do style, as a way to get themselves more public exposure.”

That is just really ignorant and insulting to anyone who has taken care of a child. These little adopted, underprivileged kids are not virtual pets and I seriously doubt that any of these good hearted celebrities treat them as such.

See, some celebs get a dog for their purse, cart it around for a month, and then you never see it again. Angelina Jolie adopted little Maddox, and I’m not sure if he’s ever left her side; Parenting seems like something she takes very seriously.

Parenting is difficult, and these people deserve respect and a pat on the back for tackling such an enormous job.

My perspective is that people follow celebrities as role models; We see it in the eating disorders of teen girls trying to emulate stick thin supermodels. I think it would be great if some of the people who read these adoptions stories in US Weekly would be inspired to adopt a child by the altruistic actions of some movie star. The world could use more trends like that.

The other effect is that when reporters mention the horrible conditions in these adopted kids’ home countries, such as Cambodia and China, it raises awareness so that people might work together to correct the problems, so that the rest of the kids don’t have to suffer.

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