England has its royalty, Spain has soccer, and America’s most prized possessions are…Hollywood celebrities. There are the actors and musicians whose work and exciting lives deserve some attention, but then there are some celebrities who do not do much of anything. For instance, Paris Hilton’s primary job is to go to clubs and spend an unbelievable amount of money, yet she is considered an A-list celebrity. Millions of dollars are spent everyday by magazines to get that perfect picture of a celebrity doing a deed that could possibly make or break his or her reputation. Americans, of course, encourage the trend by buying the magazines packed with juicy gossip. Media moguls defend themselves, claiming that they are only responding to public demand. Sometimes it seems like a real-life soap opera; everyone seems to know who cheated with whom and who checked into rehab. It is odd that Americans are so quick to make fun of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, but they have no problem with coming home everyday exceedingly eager to watch the ever popular TMZ and discover the latest gossip. Â
According to Buzzle.com, celebrities are ideal in the minds of many because they are the better-looking and wealthier versions of average Americans. Getting lost in the latest celebrity love triangle is much easier than worrying about personal problems. It provides a sense of escape for many to temporarily immerse in a world that seems surreal yet still is not complete fantasy. It is also easier for some to judge celebrities by their alleged actions than to understand that every mistake or misjudgment is more complex than the tabloids make it seem, because, remarkably enough, celebrities still do live in the real world. It is not uncommon to see a mother of four flipping through a copy of People magazine muttering to herself about how things would have turned out differently if she was in Britney Spears’s position. It is so much easier to get involved in celebrity gossip than to think about everyday worries, but in this, Americans run the risk of losing touch with reality.
The world of celebrities is not as glamorous as it may seem; deaths from drug overdose and the astonishing number of celebrities checking into rehab are living proof. America’s obsession is paying the price – so many teenagers are becoming involved in the entertainment industry in hopes of becoming famous. According to IVillage.com, 29% of American teenagers have the dream of being famous. Perhaps this is the new American dream; instead of hoping for a happy family, successful job, and a charming house with a white picket fence, Americans would rather live a life of fame and fortune. Considering that this is the land of opportunity, hopes for a celebrity lifestyle may possibly be achieved, but the perfection of that life may be beyond the realms of reality.
By Negin Mashaiee, Echo opinions editor
