Why we care so much about celebrities – Part 2

The public’s growing fascination with celebrities borders on obsession. Sadly, celebrity-watching and gossip-mongering have become woven into the pattern of society and almost as popular as apple pie and baseball. Because celebrities have larger than life personas, their actions assume far greater significance than those of average citizens that engage in similar activities. Not only do these starlets and studs have youth, beauty and fame, but also they have seemingly unlimited disposable income, freedom and privileges, which means that jet-setting, frolicking, and misbehaving are inevitable – much to our delight.

Next, it’s a fun challenge just keeping pace with the current fashion trends and hottest it’ couple on the scene. We crave stories about Lindsay’s wacky paparazzi mishaps, Britney’s love life and parenting woes, Nicole’s weight fluctuations, and Paris’ scandalous shenanigans. These celebrity stunts only fuel our desire to learn even more details about their lives, especially when it involves bad behavior. Ironically, the negative press serves as a great equalizer that humanizes these otherworldly beings, bringing them down to earth.

Furthermore, reality television shows have given the ‘average’ Joe an opportunity to experience almost instant fame; the more absurd and inappropriate the behavior, the longer their 15 minutes extends. Can you say, Omarosa? In fact, numerous reality show stars have launched successful careers or parlayed their brief stints in reality TV world into lucrative gigs that last far beyond their humble beginnings. Let’s face it we, ourselves, are not immune to celebrity fever. The reality is that most of us secretly fantasize that we’re just one lucky ‘break’ away from being celebrities ourselves, given the right set of circumstances.

Finally, celebrity-watching makes people feel as though they’re indirectly, but somehow personally involved, in the lives of their favorite stars. After all, with the help of a few unscrupulous paparazzi, almost no area of a celebrity’s life is off limits or sacred. As such, we are privy to some of the most private events in a celebrity’s life, practically real time. Personal vacations, a newborn’s baptismal pictures, private weddings, and other intimate moments, unintended for public consumption, have a price.

Ultimately, following celebrity lifestyles affords the average citizen vicarious enjoyment of the world through the eyes of the celebrity. This perspective offers a brief glimpse into an unimaginably rich and privileged existence that we would otherwise never experience in our own lifetimes