The Effects of Celebrity
A celebrity is a person who has achieved wide public recognition, often through the media. This type of fame can be enjoyed by people in a variety of professions, including film actors and political figures, high-ranking news media reporters and daytime TV show hosts, and even fashion models and pop singers.The term “celebrity” can also apply to famous people who have gained recognition for their humanitarian activities, such as Mother Teresa or Mahatma Gandhi. These individuals are considered to be "heroes" and often have a large following among the general population.Celebrities are often viewed by their fans as role models, and they may inspire them to be successful or to follow in the footsteps of certain celebrities’ careers. However, the negative side of fame can have a significant impact on a celebrity’s life, particularly when it comes to body image, drug use and alcohol consumption, and mental health. In addition, the constant scrutiny of the paparazzi and other members of the press can cause them to live in a state of fear that they will be embarrassed or ridiculed by what they do or say.Although some people become famous by accident, others actively seek fame. Some of the earliest known celebrities were politicians and performers who sought to be remembered after their deaths, such as the Athenian politician Alcibiades or the playwright Aristophanes. Other early famous people were athletes, such as the Greek runner Leonidas of Rhodes or the medieval knight William Tell. Modern celebrities pursue fame in a variety of ways, from starring on a popular television show to publishing a best-selling book.In some cases, celebrity can have a positive influence on the audience, for example when a celebrity advocates for a disease-related issue and causes a greater awareness of it. For example, when Angelina Jolie publicized her double mastectomy, it was associated with increased breast cancer screenings and other preventative behaviors. On the other hand, the celebrity effect can be harmful when a celebrity presents biased health information that evokes an irrational fear in their audiences or encourages risky behavior, such as recommending excessive tanner usage, smoking, or weight loss products.To explore the effects of celebrity, students can do some research by reading articles on the topic in the library or checking out a local newspaper. Ask a friend or family member to help you make a list of the celebrities mentioned in the paper, and discuss what kind of lifestyle they lead and how they became famous. Students can then write an essay on the positive and negative aspects of celebrity culture. In addition, they can analyze different types of celebrities and what kind of influence they have on their fans. This article is based on the Wikipedia entry about celebrities. It has been edited and updated to reflect newer evidence, such as studies evaluating the effect of celebrity endorsements on health-related outcomes and the results of studies comparing different populations, environments, and interventions.