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Bria Cato
English 131
October 12, 2012
Mrs. Thomas
The Downfalls of the Limelight
Any parent will confess to plopping their child down in front of the television to keep them busy, but do they have any idea of what they're really exposing them to? With so many well-known and famous people out there, it’s hard not to be constantly brought up to speed on their every move. This generation is too focused on why Kristen cheated on Rob or what's going down at the Jersey Shore as opposed to real issues such as the upcoming presidential election. The general public has grown dependent and follows their every move through social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. Celebrities epitomize the word pop culture and their actions, whether uncommon or habitual, play a major role in the way that people treat others and carry on their day to day lives.
Celebrities are marketed through magazines and television, but along with their public image, they also carry a specific body image. Society has been brainwashed by Hollywood into thinking that the only way to spell beauty is with a ribcage and a defined collar bone. The body image that is being shoved down our throats by those in the limelight is something coveted by the impressionable youth of this day. Children in high school go on to develop eating disorders and more and more teenagers are turning to fad diets to fix what they feel is the problem. The masses have been coerced into setting a standard that rises far beyond the level of obtainment.
The raging war on what is and what isn't beautiful has caused society, as a whole, to become more and more critical. Jennifer Livingston, a Wisconsin news anchor, recently responded on-air after being pointed out by a viewer for her weight and called an “[un] suitable example for this community’s young people”. What exactly is a suitable example for the

community’s young people? She made no apologies for her figure and acknowledged the situation in the hopes that others won't receive that same sort of arbitrary criticism. Celebrities have created this pencil thin image of what every person is to look like and if they do not fit that mold, they are looked down upon and even cast aside.
People often blame stars and the media for making them feel as though they should follow the set norm when in actuality, those are the very same people who continue to place the two on a pedestal. Those who admire these, so called, famous people are the most deeply affected. Certain actions are glamorized whilst others are frowned upon as we depend on those of superstar status to set an example. Whose place is it to harp on Nicole Kidman is she wants to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day? It's her life, but since she is a household name society feels that it is their place to judge. It is automatically assumed that whosoever is in the spotlight should hold themselves to a higher standard as role models. The ever controversial rapper Lil Wayne is often featured making derogatory references towards woman, but is also the father of two girls. Media favorites such as Wiz Khalifa and Nicki Minaj have succeeded in convincing the youth that things like having a blond streak and acting like a Barbie is the coolest thing to do. Stars are no better than the next persons, but their actions always play a part in the lives of their viewers.
The way in which most celebrities climb to fame has changed the goals and aspirations of our posterity for the worse. No more is there any talk of growing up to become a doctor or to make some sort of momentous change in this world. The only thing on peoples’ minds is “How can I get on MTV?” and “What do I have to do?” Shows like Teen Mom and 16 & Pregnant have caused significant spikes in the number of teen pregnancies and, according to Kim Kardashian, has “[made] teen pregnancy seem cool in the eyes of young girls”. Although we all can't be like Kim and get paid just to sit around and look pretty, she's right.

These icons portray a cheapened image of what it is to really become successful and are definitely not the ones to be idolized. Having spent so much time getting to know these people and watching them progress through life, a weird bond is made. A better relationship is formed with that movie star who's always on the cover of Us Weekly rather than the person taking up the other half of the bed at night. A few years ago one of Brittany Spears's biggest fans, Chris Crocker, took to YouTube in her defense after she was bashed over the internet for another one of her public meltdowns. Young people look up to these celebrities and feel like they share a personal connection in which they can relate to one another.
Celebrities seek success through publicity and advertisement, which in turn, keeps them forever in the spotlight and always at the center of our culture. The people of this generation go on and on about how they won't stop until they get discovered and become a household name. Getting an education, choosing a career and taking care of your family are what ultimately makes you successful. The obvious lack of priorities is saddening. If only everyone would stop looking to reality television for inspiration and actually get a clue. That would really be achieving something.