Us Weekly, People, The National Enquirer, Star, Ok!, and hundreds of other celebrity obsession magazines are sold every day. It’s no wonder that there’s such a craze for stalking the stars in their everyday life with tween celebrity magazines like M!, Teen People, and J-14, initiating the obsession at a young age.
All these magazines seem innocent enough as you casually pass them in your local grocery store, but have you ever considered the chaos and danger that’s put into taking that million dollar picture? I strongly believe that the paparazzi have become an embarrassing nuisance, and are taking their “job” way too far. First of all, I’ve been to L.A. I was constantly in celebrity hot spots for five days and did not see a single celebrity. The stalkerazzi must truly have to mission it to find whatever celebrity they’re looking for. Second, Celebrity Worship Syndrome has officially been identified as an actual psychological condition at the fault of the paps [1]. Of course, enjoying an artist purely because of their talent is one thing, but seriously…what has Paris Hilton ever done to be truly worshiped for? Most people would say nothing, yet there’s a reality show premiering soon called Want to be Paris Hilton’s BFF? (click here to read the details) I’m just saying, but THINK OF HOW RIDICULOUS THAT SOUNDS. Just about anyone could feel the pleasures of CWS. While watching a Boyd Hilton documentary, Britney: Speared by the Paps, I noted that while Hilton was interviewing journalists and paparazzo, he tended to look very confused and unimpressed as to how and why anyone could gain such an obsession. That was until he tagged along on a typical Britney chase. He couldn’t believe the rush of adrenaline he felt from just taking a simple picture of the pop star. [2]
All these magazines seem innocent enough as you casually pass them in your local grocery store, but have you ever considered the chaos and danger that’s put into taking that million dollar picture? I strongly believe that the paparazzi have become an embarrassing nuisance, and are taking their “job” way too far. First of all, I’ve been to L.A. I was constantly in celebrity hot spots for five days and did not see a single celebrity. The stalkerazzi must truly have to mission it to find whatever celebrity they’re looking for. Second, Celebrity Worship Syndrome has officially been identified as an actual psychological condition at the fault of the paps [1]. Of course, enjoying an artist purely because of their talent is one thing, but seriously…what has Paris Hilton ever done to be truly worshiped for? Most people would say nothing, yet there’s a reality show premiering soon called Want to be Paris Hilton’s BFF? (click here to read the details) I’m just saying, but THINK OF HOW RIDICULOUS THAT SOUNDS. Just about anyone could feel the pleasures of CWS. While watching a Boyd Hilton documentary, Britney: Speared by the Paps, I noted that while Hilton was interviewing journalists and paparazzo, he tended to look very confused and unimpressed as to how and why anyone could gain such an obsession. That was until he tagged along on a typical Britney chase. He couldn’t believe the rush of adrenaline he felt from just taking a simple picture of the pop star. [2]
There are plenty of (actually) talented, celebrities that mostly stay out of the media (ex. Mandy Moore, Rihanna, Natalie Portman, etc.) But then there are these other icons like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton who are their own breed celebrity causing their own breed of paparazzi. A picture of Britney Spears could be with $100 000s. That easy money could encourage anyone to go out and risk the lives of themselves and others, but what ever happened to good ol’ self control? The paparazzi have given themselves the reputation of being selfish, law breakers who will do absolutely anything for a newsworthy shot. In fact, the paparazzi have become such a hazard in L.A that a new law is on the verge of being passed.
Britney’s Law (soon to be renamed) is enforcing a 20-yard safety bubble for celebrities that are paparazzi targets.[3] Los Angeles councilman Dennis Zine proposed this law after Britney’s first rush to the hospital in January, 2008. “It cost $25,000 dollars to take an ambulance with Britney Spears to the hospital,” Zine told Access Hollywood. [3] “They are reckless and they don’t police themselves.”[2] I can imagine this law being rather difficult to inforce, but I think it's what Hollywood needs right now: some control on how far these photographers can take their job.
Britney Spears truly has created quite the name for herself. Who’da thunk that America’s Sweetheart from The Mickey Mouse Club would have ever become so incredibly famous? At the young age of seventeen, she was the highest paid teen. That wasn’t a surprise then though; she was a cute, fun, sensation that took the pop scene by storm. It didn’t matter what genre of music you listened to back then, everyone knew the words to Hit Me Baby One More Time. Actually, I bet you started singing it in your head when you read the title. Don’t be embarrassed, that was during Brit’s glory days. Totally acceptable. 
Unfortunately, the fame started to overwhelm Britney. The stalkerazzi took over her life and what ever she was doing was always in the spotlight. Within five minutes of Spears leaving her house, it can be expected that approximately 32 paps will be waiting for her outside. Owen Beiny, a true blue Britney paparazzo spends 50% of his time on a hunt for Spears.[2] She began a late rebellion stage in her 20s, by getting herself involved in spur of the moment marriages [4], or by putting herself in awkward situations, such as going out in public panty-less [5], etc etc. Britney’s crazy antics aren’t unusual. What was unusual was that while Spears was in the middle of a mental breakdown, all North America could do was laugh, talk about her badly, and just wait for the paps to shoot another interesting photo of her doing something stupid. Of course, a lot of people thought that Spears was asking for the attention. But when someone is mentally unstable, they’re bound to do anything. Society usually accepts that. When you’re walking through a mall and you see someone talking to themselves, or screaming for what appears to be no reason, do you go take pictures, then sell them to magazines? When it’s put that way, who’s more unstable: Britney Spears or the paparazzi following her around?
In 2007, just as Britney’s breakdown was on the verge of breaking point, Spears opened the MTV VMAs with a less than stellar performance that lacked energy and skill.
Yet, the headlining news the next day had nothing to do with her unusually lacking performance, but her weight. First of all, the woman has had two kids and was on the verge of a breakdown, of course she was going to pack on some pounds. Second, it wasn’t like she got on stage and was suddenly morbidly obese. She merely looked like an average human.
This year, after spending some much needed time in rehab and having her parents take control of everything she owned, she came back and opened the 2008 MTV VMAs. And to be honest…she looked good. She looked like the old, seventeen year old, happy, lovable Britney Spears that America fell in love with first. And since society has become so shallow, that was all America needed to see.
Do you really think artists want to be constantly followed around? Most artists get involved with the industry because they’re doing what they love and what they’re good at. The fame is just a frill to come with it. For example, remember the days when Lindsay Lohan’s talent was glorified? At only twelve years old, Lohan played a double role in the popular Disney movie, The Parent Trap. After a couple small, straight-to-television movies, she played the role of a full grown woman in yet another Disney hit, Freaky Friday four years later. A couple more hit movies after that, and she had earned her keep in Hollywood. In 2004,
Lohan attempted a shot at a solo singing career. Her first hit was a song I’m sure everyone has heard called Rumors. Now, let’s ignore the fact that in the video she strips for a security camera in an elevator, or that she shakes her female parts in a very loose and low cut camisole. Hollywood is Hollywood; the video had to be marketable to the teen population. So let’s focus on the lyrics… “I’m tired of rumors starting/I’m sick of being followed/I’m tired of people lying/saying what they want about me./Why can’t they back up off me?/Why can’t they let me live…” CLEARLY when this was written there was actual anger and frustration there. She has become a very large paparazzi target, and has been in danger because of it. (Note the picture of Lohan looking very upset in her damaged car..)
In 2007, just as Britney’s breakdown was on the verge of breaking point, Spears opened the MTV VMAs with a less than stellar performance that lacked energy and skill.
Yet, the headlining news the next day had nothing to do with her unusually lacking performance, but her weight. First of all, the woman has had two kids and was on the verge of a breakdown, of course she was going to pack on some pounds. Second, it wasn’t like she got on stage and was suddenly morbidly obese. She merely looked like an average human.This year, after spending some much needed time in rehab and having her parents take control of everything she owned, she came back and opened the 2008 MTV VMAs. And to be honest…she looked good. She looked like the old, seventeen year old, happy, lovable Britney Spears that America fell in love with first. And since society has become so shallow, that was all America needed to see.
Do you really think artists want to be constantly followed around? Most artists get involved with the industry because they’re doing what they love and what they’re good at. The fame is just a frill to come with it. For example, remember the days when Lindsay Lohan’s talent was glorified? At only twelve years old, Lohan played a double role in the popular Disney movie, The Parent Trap. After a couple small, straight-to-television movies, she played the role of a full grown woman in yet another Disney hit, Freaky Friday four years later. A couple more hit movies after that, and she had earned her keep in Hollywood. In 2004,
Lohan attempted a shot at a solo singing career. Her first hit was a song I’m sure everyone has heard called Rumors. Now, let’s ignore the fact that in the video she strips for a security camera in an elevator, or that she shakes her female parts in a very loose and low cut camisole. Hollywood is Hollywood; the video had to be marketable to the teen population. So let’s focus on the lyrics… “I’m tired of rumors starting/I’m sick of being followed/I’m tired of people lying/saying what they want about me./Why can’t they back up off me?/Why can’t they let me live…” CLEARLY when this was written there was actual anger and frustration there. She has become a very large paparazzi target, and has been in danger because of it. (Note the picture of Lohan looking very upset in her damaged car..)Lohan isn’t the only artist to have a privacy related song…but Britney Spears had Lady Gaga write Piece of Me, a song written in a way, I felt, is almost mocking the paparazzi. Spears has just come to accept that she’s Mrs. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Shameless, Mrs. Extra, Extra This Just In, Too Big and Too Thin. But, of course, we still want a piece of her.
Now, I’m not saying that the paparazzi need to disappear and any celebrity gossip magazine should be burned to the ground. No, not at all. Of course I’ll read the occasional celebrity gossip magazine. But is it really necessary to hound celebrities in such a way that it’s risking lives? The late Princess Diana’s life was already lost because of the paps, is that picture really worth it?
[1] “Celebrity Worship Addiction: a study.” The Age Online. APP. 10 Sept. 2008 <http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/14/1060588497208.html>
[2] ‘Britney: Speared by the Paps.’ Dir. Pip Banyard. 2008.
[3] “Britney’s law’ not a bad idea.” Daily Vidette. Illinois State University. 10 Sept. 2008 <http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2008/02/11/Viewpoint/britneys.Law.Not.A.Bad.Idea-3199831.shtml>
[4] Susman, Gary. “Me Against the Marriage.” Entertainment Weekly. 12 Sept. 2008. 6 Jan. 2004. <http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,571226,00.html>
[5] Free Brittany. “Britney Spears. No Underwear. Again.” She Knows. 11 Sept. 2007. The Hollywood Gossip. 12 Sept. 2008. <http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2007/09/britney-spears-no-underwear-again/>
[1] “Celebrity Worship Addiction: a study.” The Age Online. APP. 10 Sept. 2008 <http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/14/1060588497208.html>
[2] ‘Britney: Speared by the Paps.’ Dir. Pip Banyard. 2008.
[3] “Britney’s law’ not a bad idea.” Daily Vidette. Illinois State University. 10 Sept. 2008 <http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2008/02/11/Viewpoint/britneys.Law.Not.A.Bad.Idea-3199831.shtml>
[4] Susman, Gary. “Me Against the Marriage.” Entertainment Weekly. 12 Sept. 2008. 6 Jan. 2004. <http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,571226,00.html>
[5] Free Brittany. “Britney Spears. No Underwear. Again.” She Knows. 11 Sept. 2007. The Hollywood Gossip. 12 Sept. 2008. <http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2007/09/britney-spears-no-underwear-again/>
No comments:
Post a Comment