Why Do We Worship Celebrities?

I don't like to start the week off on a negative note but a piece published in this weekend's The Guardian newspaper really struck a cord with me and I thought I would share it with you. The article is really a well-timed rant about celebrity culture by author Marina Hyde and what she describes as the over-reaching of celebrities beyond their sphere of influence, namely entertainment.

Most of my regular readers are familiar with my personal distaste for the current celebrity worship generally, especially in fashion. We are awash in celebrity scents, celebrity-fronted fashion lines and celebrity product endorsements of all kinds to the detriment of fashion professionals and their craft. Hyde goes even further, railing against celebrity interference in all walks of life including religion, politics, parenting, etc.

While I enjoyed reading her piece, it also made me feel very uneasy. I understand why celebrities over-reach: They make a great deal of money from all these extra-curricular activities, either directly or indirectly and as a bonus, they increase their overall influence which in turn allows them to make even more money. It all makes perfect sense. What I don't understand however is why as a society we're fascinated by celebrities to the point that we allow them to influence the decisions we make regarding everything from the clothes we wear to the political candidates we vote for. What does it say about us as a culture that we would assign such importance to the views of people we hardly know and who are largely unworthy of our admiration? Do you really want to take moral guidance from Tom Cruise or parenting tips from Angelina Jolie? I would just as soon take fashion advice from Lady Gaga.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Usman]

is a illuminati trick to get the masses following trends. and keep them away from the truth,

it is just one of many tricks to misguide the young / old,

lady gaga is enought, how did un-known singer get signed and "become" so big,.. maybe it has some thing to do with the illuminati running all things music and beyond,

[vincent]

We should worship ourselves, we owe it to ourselves, it's pathetic to worship and make these so called celeb whatsits rich at the gullible masses expense, lets go free to live our own lives, gladly I don't have television to waste my life watching others.

[SM]

Well said.

[Jill]

I completely agree with you. I'm so tired of rappers, sports figures, tween actresses etc. coming up with their "clothing lines".