The late 20th century has also seen many disasters such as wars, plane crashes and earthquakes. We have racial disputes in Indonesia, ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia and the recent economic recession, among other problems. People thus turn to celebrities to escape the harsh realities of their circumstances and search for glamour and success in the troubled world today. From the success of the celebrities, people are given hope for a better life. The rags-to-riches story of many celebrities has inspired people to strive harder. Politicians are also given greater attention. Many in troubled nations see certain politicians as the key to their salvation.
Furthermore, the late 20th century has seen the emergence and death of many outstanding celebrities. From Marilyn Monroe to James Dean to Princess Diana, all of these celebrities possessed great charisma, talent and character, making them all the more attractive to the public. As these celebrities get more famous, they will lose their privacy and the more they attempt to keep their privacy, the more hungry people would be for information about them. This is probably due to the curious nature of human beings. Faye Wong, arguably the most famous Chinese pop singer in recent times, is an example. The more hostile this elusive celebrity is towards the press, the more people are attracted to her. The death of beloved celebrities, for example, Princess Diana, has the effect of making them icons who are revered and cherished by many.
The late 20th century is also placing grater emphasis on good looks and talent. Thanks to the media, the most recent beauty ideal would be “thin is beautiful.” This has attracted many to the lives, diet and the exercise habits of super-thin waif models, for example Kate Moss and Jodie Kidd. The media is also an important factor explaining why people in the late 20th century are so preoccupied with celebrity. The media has played an essential role in propelling film stars, singers, tycoons, politicians and other celebrities to god-like status. They blow up the achievements of these celebrities, making people want to idolize these celebrities to an even greater extent.
Last but not least, the rapid development of technology also plays an important role in increasing the level of celebrity idolization in the late 20th century. With the Internet, there is rapid access to information about celebrities. Thus, people can now easily emulate the lifestyles of their idols. People also start creating web pages in tribute to their idols, further fuelling the interest towards celebrities. .
All in all, there are many reasons why so many people are attracted to celebrities, some of which I have discussed in my essay. People look to the celebrities to fulfill their innermost fantasies and escape from the harsh realities of their circumstances. The celebrities, with their talent and charm, provide even more reason for people to be attracted to them. The media’s influence and the level of technology have all played a part in increasingly celebrity worship.
