Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Price of Fame

I was watching an interesting show on the tube last night. It was basically encounters that celebrities had with the paparazzi. I think that the foremost reason that celebrities are famous is solely because of the paparazzi. But is there a line that shouldn't be crossed? I would like to think so.

Cher as we all know is a passionate singer. Standing out is something she's been able to do with ease. She's on her bike in Malibu when she spots a guy with a camera from across the street. She's obviously visibly upset. So she drives up a lil further and then decides to confront the guy.

"What the f$#& do you think you're doing? This is not a red carpet premiere or a concert. This is a private place. This is where I live!"

She storms off.

Paparazzi remains silent.

Cher chooses to come back again.

"Your f$%#ing sick you know that? How can you sleep at night? How do you live with yourself?"

Once again Paparazzi remains silent.

Cher decides to stomp back again attempting to deliver the last and final blow.

"Your not a f$%#ing man!"

Thinking she's made an impact she finally decides to leave.

"Heh heh..... your right Cher.....heh heh.....ure absolutely right..... heh heh... I'm not a man, I'm a f$%#ing richer man now!"


I'm not sure who had the upper hand in this situation. But 2 things struck me. Yes, if your famous you must already know that your career option does involve intrusions with your private life. Which means you choose to live with this fame primarily because it's the paparazzi and media that actually enhance it. Cher could have driven off. Not confronting that cameraman would have avoided her being on that show. But I would empathize. Your personal time is personal.

There were a host of other celebrities that featured on the show. Frank Sinatra said " Ill break your f$%#ing head" to a camera man outside a restaurant. Tommy Lee assaulted a guy and people were holding Pamela Anderson back. Charlie Sheen got so pissed off that his walking towards the guy with his fists clenched made the cameraman back off and apologize profusely, for the fear of getting beat up. Pierce Brosnan our very own 007 slapped a guy. Shannon Doherty's party got trashed. I guess my point being that celebrity reactions in this sort of fashion can be so amusing that they have triggered of a show named ' The Price of Fame'.

No matter how much we choose to deny it, gossip is always gossip. Most people can never mind their own business. They've got to know what's happening in everyone else's life. So much so, that these famous peoples personal lives are exposed on a whole new level. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had to flee from one country to another. Visas were denied to journalists who wished to visit Namibia on Jungle Safaris.

As I continue to find corners in circular rooms. I feel that we make these famous people famous. We choose to pry into their personal and public lives. We choose how famous they are and get to be. We are given the choice to actually determine how far they may get. If the whole world decided 50 made shit rhymes, you think he'd be where he is right now? People look for something different and unique that sets them apart from the rest of the crowd. There may be so many more people who possess qualities then.


What makes famous people famous?

People.

People being millions of masses, thinking with one mind.