As a candidate, Donald Trump mastered not just the messaging of celebrity but its mechanics too. He used TV and Twitter not only to grow and sustain his visibility but also to position himself as the one politician who engaged his supporters directly, unmediated by the political elite. In the absence of experience and conventional qualifications, however, he was required to work endlessly to keep reminding people he was a “totally big celebrity” — since his fame was the primary measure of his merit.
Do you wonder who the three most-searched people were on Google in 2022? Answer: Johnny Depp, Will Smith, and Amber Heard.
Here’s betting on Gwyneth Paltrow and her court case this year.
2. The celebrity worship machinery especially disadvantages women and minorities
The first person to become world-famous was Alexander the Great. Why? Because his was the first mortal face to be placed on a coin. Thanks to new technologies, men then dominated the ranks of the famous for centuries. It took the new visual media of posters and photography to enable entertainers like Sarah Bernhardt, Jenny Lind, and Annie Oakley to become widely known. In the 20th century, after the arrival of Hollywood, Black women were hit particularly hard by racial disparities. Musical performers like Marian Anderson and Josephine Baker faced humiliating setbacks early in their careers. Today the entertainers most at risk of erasure are still people of color. Just ask The Come Up’s Sophia Wilson.
3. Celebrity worship is especially bad for kids
The desire for fame starts early. From our youngest ages, people crave it. In Britain in 2006, the organizers of National Children’s Day asked children under 10 years old to reveal their Christmas wish list. The desire to be famous or “being a celebrity” emerged at the top of the list, followed by “good looks” and “being rich.”
The desire of individuals to acquire fame and celebrity is carried by generations, especially among children…
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