The Meaning of a Celebrity
The word celebrity is derived from the Latin celebritas, which means fame or busyness. The OED notes that the word is used to describe a famous person in sports or entertainment, and that a celebrity is someone who draws attention from the public. The meaning of a celebrity has changed over time, but some definitions remain the same. Today, we refer to a celebrity as an individual with high visibility and/or popularity. The word celebrity is used in many ways, and it has many broader and specific uses. In the entertainment industry, a celebrity is a prominent person or group that commands the fascination of the public. Examples of this are rock stars such as Elvis Presley, and pop groups such as the Beatles. In fact, some of the band's cynicism about their status is a cause for some controversy. Some people even think that Cher is a television personality, although the term is also used for a band. Before the rise of popular music, the word celebrity had other uses. For example, a rock star was a popular figure in the entertainment industry, while a pop group, such as the Beatles, was a pop icon. John Lennon even said that they were more popular than Jesus! Another example of a non-actor became a celebrity, with television shows and film roles. In the 20th century, television has brought a new type of celebrity to the mainstream: the reality television star. The term celebrity was first used in 1860, but was later expanded to include a variety of other definitions. Most common is "not a person"; the other is "a person's cult of personality." However, the word "celebrity" is still largely defined in popular culture. For example, there is no difference between a famous singer and a rock band. In the 1960s, the word became popular in the United States with the emergence of the popular culture. A celebrity's symbolic meanings are often very similar to the meanings of other objects. For instance, a pop star is a symbol of a pop group, and a rock star represents a rock star. A pop group is a group of people who are famous in the United States. The meanings of a celebrity are often interrelated and consistent. For example, a celebrity may symbolize a message that is important to them. A celebrity can be a famous person, an athlete, or a band. The word celebrity has many other meanings, but its primary use is to be a popular icon. It is important to remember that a celebrity is not the same as an icon or a rock star. A "celebrity" is an ordinary person who has been admired by the public. Some celebrities are considered a 'celebrity' if they have fame and are highly regarded.