With celebrity culture an ever-present part of our society, Conor Byrne discusses whether it is a problem, and where the future lies.
Celebrity culture is undoubtedly a crucial social, cultural and increasingly political phenomenon in today’s world, particularly in the West. We constantly follow celebrities on Twitter, Facebook and through the media (newspapers, magazines, TV); we want to meet them, we want to emulate them, we want to see what they are really like. But the purpose of this features article is to pose the question: has celebrity culture gone a step too far and become something dark and sinister?
Justin Bieber has to be the most recognisable celebrity in today’s world; adored by legions of female fans who will do literally anything for their idol. The smallest slight to Bieber is mercilessly attacked by these figural bodyguards, who spring into action whenever they perceive a wrong done to this angelic creature. Just look at, for instance, the abuse faced by actress Olivia Wilde when she dared to voice her opinion on Twitter about Bieber. When the American singer was photographed without his shirt on in London earlier this month while celebrating his nineteenth birthday, Wilde tweeted: ‘Bieber, put your f**king shirt on’. Probably not surprisingly, the actress then met a barrage of abuse from Bieber supporters on Twitter. But this does not seem so strange when you consider the story earlier this month.
When 15-year old Courtney Barrasford tweeted that she liked Bieber’s new album, despite not previously being a fan, she was then retweeted by Bieber to his 34 million followers. Disturbingly, these jealous fans sent the teenager threatening and cruel messages. But arguably the depressed nature of the tweets addressed to Bieber himself was even more disturbing. One wrote: ‘U notice her n she’s not even a fan. I am but you won’t notice me Can anyone hear me crying?’ Even when taking this with a pinch of salt, it is worrying that anyone would be so obsessive over a celebrity that they could bring themselves write such a thing.
The sad case of Britney Spears is perhaps another example. In 2007, amidst mounting personal troubles, Spears famously shaved her head at a hair salon in Los Angeles. She then admitted herself into various treatment facilities, having previously stayed at a drug rehabilitation facility in Antigua for less than a day. Others have commented that Spears’ concerts see dwindling interest and plummeting ticket sales. Despite this, Britney was the top-earning female musician in 2012. Britney, too, has encountered troubles and intense criticism, maybe not to the same extent as Bieber, through her status as a celebrity, opening her up to ridicule, fascination and constant scrutiny. Surely she is not adored so much for who she is – being a musician – but for what she represents: teenage girls’ aspirations to be famous, successful, a singer, inspiring thousands of copycat lookalikes who want to actually become Britney.
There is evidence, of course, to the contrary, for the positivity of celebrity culture. Celebrities are able to use their fame for good purposes – look at Heather Mill’s charitable pursuits, while other celebrities speak out against crimes, political issues, issues of gender and sexuality, and make a very real difference in society (consider Lady Gaga and Cher’s public support for gay rights). Celebrity culture has always been with us, and to be fair Justin Bieber and Britney Spears are probably extreme examples, because they are the most famous of the famous. Most celebrities do not deal with anything of the sort that Justin Bieber does – in that sense, he is a unique phenomenon. Celebrity culture is arguably fun, exciting and enrapturing – but as long as people stop short of becoming obsessive in the sense of becoming stalkers or attacking cruelly and vindictively anyone who dares voice any criticism of their beloved celebrity.
The criticism and victimisation of teenage girls on Twitter for their tweets about Justin Bieber is a very pressing issue, but at the end of the day we all have freedom of speech and celebrity culture is so embedded in Western culture that it is something that inevitably raises questions and features in the media daily, hourly. Maybe there is something to be said for educating our young people differently as for better or for worse – we are a celebrity society, and whether or not it is going the right way, we have to accept that it is here to stay.
Conor Byrne
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