It seems more and more celebrities have started to develop this strange God Complex. Thinking they are better than everyone else in the world, it seems. They think they can get away with pretty much anything just because they have this podium of power. How is that even close to the qualities that people should look up too?
Regardless of whether they want to or not, celebrities have become role models for others. We as non-celebrities, meaning that we do not star in blockbuster films and do not own islands, have this strange fascination with celebrities and their lives. I don’t know about you all but I know that on more than one occasion I have thanked the academy for my “nomination,” and looked right into the wall hoping it would turn into a camera, so I could thank my mom.
Have you ever wondered why people look up to celebrities so much? Why is there such a fascination with their lives? I cannot help but wonder if the reason why so many celebrities act the way they do to get attention is because of their fans putting them on a pedestal they don’t deserve. I am sure everyone remembers Britney Spears shaving her head because of a pretty obvious mental break down.
Now, I am not saying that every celebrity or “famous person” has this issue. This past weekend I had the chance to sit down with all the bands that performed at WMLU’s Bandfest. I was so thankful for the opportunity to talk to so many artists who were, in my opinion, some of the most interesting people I have ever had the pleasure of talking to.
Now, this God Complex may exist for some celebrities, but there may be some people who live in Hollywood or New York or on their own private islands (Johnny Depp anyone?) who might do stupid things because they are craving attention. I have read so many tweets lately that involved celebrities getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking. Why is it that people, and not just celebrities, think it is okay to drive after they have had a few drinks?
Celebrities might just be trying to get attention from anyone who is watching, especially because there actually are people who are watching their every move. It might be difficult for people to comprehend what happens to celebrities when they decide to make bad decisions. However, the more I think about it the more upset it makes me that celebrities sometimes get a free pass when they do stupid things. What makes them any better than those of us who do not record albums or star in movies? What gives them a free pass to be stupid?
Clearly, I have many opinions about those kinds of decisions. As I am sure, many people do. However, I wanted to take a couple of lines and write about the opposite side of celebrities, more specifically musicians themselves. At Bandfest this weekend, when I sat down with every band that performed I realized how incredibly humble and talented these people are. When asked if they had a few moments to talk with me, all the bands graciously gave me enough time to have not just an interview but a real conversation with them.
I do not think I had a favorite interview; all of them were very interesting. But, I did get dating advice from J. Loren, the lead singer of Hurt. He told me that I should never stop chasing my dreams, and to never let a man run my life. I really never thought that a musician, who has played crowds of hundreds of thousands of people, would be so kind and so quick to talk to a 20 something year old about dating, school and just life in general. As if that was not enough, Immortal Technique pretty much took me on a spiritual journey through the true meaning of life, passion and truth.
While some celebrities may think nothing can happen to them, some know what is like to get hurt, and some know what it is like to get teased or bullied. It is because of those issues that they have accomplished what they have. So, as I finish what is probably my last A&E column, I leave you with this thought; if you were being interviewed by someone, what advice would you give? Would you want others to do well despite your mistakes? If so, then you are one step ahead of some celebrities and for that, I commend you.
*** This editorial is an opinion stated by the writer and does not represent the views of The Rotunda or Longwood University.
