Written by Chloe Nadal
Edited by Varshini Suresh
Love it or hate it, we all have our favorite idols. Whether it be activists, social pioneers, or icons that have stood the test of time from generation to generation, many have become fascinated with the idea of the celebrity: famous individuals dealing with the strain of public attention, public affection, and losing their individuality to become a brand. However, as the twenty-first century persists, many have become disillusioned with the concept of a celebrity and the fame that accompanies it.
The idea of the celebrity has been around for quite some time; finding its origins with the terminology of fame. Defined by Sharon Marcus, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia, fame has existed since the Roman era--originating as the Latin word ‘fama’, or rumor. However, in stark contrast to the negative connotations associated with rumors, “fama” became a sort of guilty pleasure for those who indulge in the people who participated in “great deeds that would be known for millennia.” It was the start of a long-winded immortalization and idolization of someone with just a little more notoriety than the average Joe.
Not long after, the culture of celebrity worship came into view, and the obsession with placing people on a high pedestal became increasingly feverish as the years passed. Gaining momentum in the 18th Century, Marcus notes that the public “[began] to take a strong interest in a large number of living authors, artists, performers, scientists, and politicians,” leading to a surge in focus solely on these individuals (for the time being). With the 19th century came the expansion of leisurely time, where people, specifically workers in the United States, began to have more free time to do whatever they wanted. Thus, people began to partake in pastimes such as the “theater, opera house, and [numerous] lecture halls,” among other things. Newspapers reported on the latest celebrity scandals, people tuned into the nightly radio to get entertainment updates, and people closely followed the lives of public figures; from actors to politicians.
In other words? Word spreads fast, but rumors spread even faster.
Stories of scandals and celebrity gossip traveled from person to person, captivating many with the thrill of hearing about the lives of the famous.
Towards the 20th century, celebrity culture had completely seeped into the mainstream zeitgeist--nurturing the parasocial relationships that we can identify today to a proportion that few had seen before. Quickly, these relationships began to form the basis of modern-day celebrity culture, in which an extension of emotional energy, interest, and time toward another person began to affect and sway public opinion. Obsession and engrossment in public figures were mixed with scorn and entitlement towards their golden-plated prison; demanding gratitude from the people they “made” or lifted to high levels of acclaim with their praise. A quick Google search of Chappell Roan’s attempts to redefine fame through setting boundaries could tell you that much.
In contrast to the 2020s, celebrity culture in the 1990s was the epitome of the celebrity: a golden age of experimentation, fashion, music, and even politics. Nostalgia was the rave. Popular culture thrived under rebranding and repackaging of what was once considered out of style or irrelevant. Things became bigger and brighter--for better or worse. For example, icons like Princess Diana showcased how personal narratives intertwined with public personas, allowing for a deeper connection between fans and their idols.
As described by The Boar, a University of Warwick student-led newspaper, the “cult of the celebrity” is defined as the “tendency of young people to idolize and imitate the actions of the famous.” Individuals are heavily influenced by the appeal of the celebrity and thus structure their lives accordingly. This usually takes the form of engaging or participating in the brand that the celebrity in question advertises--seeing as they no longer can have the cloak of authenticity, especially with all eyes on them.
Hollywood, particularly in the 50’s and beyond, set up the stage for celebrity culture to morph into what it is today. Think Marilyn Monroe--the Blonde Bombshell of Old Hollywood, or even Michael Jackson--the King of Pop. With the evolution of industries such as film, music, fashion, and beyond, public image was everything. It was the carefully curated perception that fueled the aforementioned culture examined thus far. Restrictive to those forced to play the role of idol, yet deliciously addictive to those willing to consume it.
So, why are people so detached from the culture they once praised?
The short answer? People are getting tired. The long one? With the rise of social media, people are catching glimpses of what’s behind the curtain. Our interconnected world has given audiences a peek into the realities of fame--glamorous highs, and unfiltered lows. Media consumption has widened to include the likes of influencers rather than a monocultural consumption of a few specific people. Everyone is someone to be seen, and yet, nobody is.
This shift from centralized media--where a few media outlets have control over mainstream narratives and consumption--has led to the premature death of the “generic celebrity.” Nuances apply, and caricatures of glitzy and glamorous idols no longer work as a sustainable form of celebrity. The media landscape has diversified, and so has our definition of influential. Social media and influencers have broadened the definition of influence beyond traditional stars through the rise of figures who are openly vulnerable; engaging directly with their audiences about personal stories, challenges, and everything in between. The polished facade just doesn’t cut it anymore, and it's harder to cater to an audience that holds diversified tastes and expectations, where individuality and relatability reign supreme over a singularly crafted image.
As we’ve seen, the idea of the celebrity has undergone drastic changes, from admiration to modern disillusionment. In a world where nearly anyone can gain a following, the allure of the untouchable star has dimmed, calling for a new kind of fame that thrives on relatability rather than reverence. While not entirely wiped out, a new chapter has been opened in how we engage and interact with public figures, forcing them to navigate a more rigidly demanding culture, above all else. In a way, this evolution reflects the culture itself; one that is no longer appraising fame as something immortal, but rather something to be picked apart, questioned, critiqued, and demystified.
CITATIONS
O’Brian, Bridget. “A Long and Strange History of Celebrity.” Columbia Magazine, Columbia University, Fall 2019, magazine.columbia.edu/article/long-and-strange-history-celebrity.
“America at Leisure.” America at Work and Leisure, 1894 to 1915, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/collections/america-at-work-and-leisure-1894-to-1915/articles-and-essays/america-at-leisure/.
Whitsey, Charlotte. “The cult of the celebrity.” The Boar, 20 Mar. 2019, theboar.org/2019/03/cult-of-celebrity/.
Hiatt, Brian. “Chappell Roan’s Controversies Won’t Define Her Career.” Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2024, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/chappell-roan-controversies-second-album-podcast-1235129500/.
Julia N. Do. “Is Celebrity Culture on Its Way Out?” The Crimson, 5 Mar. 2024, www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/3/5/celebrity-culture-gone-too-far-social-media-paltrow-trial/.
“Centralized Media Control.” Fiveable, library.fiveable.me/key-terms/international-public-relations/centralized-media-control.
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