What is a Celebrity?
The term "celebrity" comes from the Latin celebritas, meaning fame, crowded, and busy. The word's early meanings include "pomp and ceremony", "act of celebrating," and the use of the noun in a particular context. The term has strong religious connotations. But it can also mean just about any famous person. Celebrities are generally a combination of entertainment and sports. And they can come in any form - sports stars, actors, singers, or writers, for example. While most talk show hosts are famous only in the region they are broadcasted to, some have managed to break through to more general stardom. Some are world-famous while others remain mostly unknown outside of their home country or region. A celebrity is often an example of a niche personality whose work draws large audiences. In addition to their mainstream fame, they may be known for their charitable work, or simply for their popularity. Whatever the case, celebrity status can be very lucrative. Famous individuals can also come from families of prominent people. Royal families are sometimes considered celebrities, but their popularity typically increases when scandals are involved. Similarly, artistic dynasties have become famous. These include the Osmonds, the Kardashians, and the Rockefellers. There are also many other families whose members are famous and wealthy. These families usually have names that are related to the arts. The Osmonds, the Kardashians, and the Kennedys are all examples of prominent families. Many celebrities do not have a private life, which causes some to think that they are less moral than ordinary people. They are often pursued by paparazzi in Hollywood, resulting in numerous mental breakdowns for them. Some of these celebrities have been victims of stalkers who would kill them, marry them, or have sex with them. And even if celebrities are deemed to have morals inferior to ordinary people, not all are guilty of bad behavior. Aside from Hollywood, celebrities can also become famous as guest stars. The Sugar Ray lead singer, Mark McGrath, made a brief return to the public consciousness last fall, but his return to the public eye was ultimately a prank. A popular video-messaging site, Cameo, allows users to pay famous people to deliver their messages. Despite the potential negative impact on the stars' careers, this service has become a popular way to deliver messages to fans in an entertaining way. Research into celebrity worship has highlighted the negative effects of celebrity worship. Studies have linked borderline-pathological celebrity worship with poor psychological health. They have linked borderline-pathological celebrity worship with poorer sleep and relationship quality. Additionally, there has been a link between celebrity worship and positive attitudes towards cosmetic surgery, and even obsessive-compulsive behaviors. However, there is no consensus on the precise definition of celebrity worship. But the phenomenon certainly affects our lives and our relationship with the stars. There are also several positive outcomes of celebrity endorsements. Consumers use celebrity-endorsed products as a status symbol. Moreover, some celebrities have gone beyond using their names to endorse products. Others have become business moguls and have embraced the business aspects of their entertainment. They've invested their salary in business endeavors and have become business leaders in their fields. With their fame and wealth, celebrities have found a niche in the media. And this trend is set to continue.