A celebrity is a person who has achieved fame or public renown. They may be famous for their acting, beauty, business ventures, or political and social activism. Some people become celebrities by chance while others work to achieve that status. Some celebrities live in a constant state of anxiety due to the scrutiny of their every move by the media and hordes of invasive fans. They must constantly rehearse their responses to avoid the pitfalls of a poorly thought out statement or inappropriate action that could potentially damage their reputation and affect their income.
A number of academics have debated the meaning and significance of celebrity. Some scholars have criticized the concept of celebrity as being harmful and dehumanizing to the individuals who become famous. Others have embraced the concept of celebrity as a form of entertainment and social connection that can be beneficial to society. The idea of a celebrity is very prevalent in modern culture.
The word celebrity has its roots in the Latin word “celebritas” which means fame or renown. The early modern age saw a rise in the popularity of celebrities as the invention of photography allowed pictures to be widely available and mass-circulation penny press newspapers promoted actors and actresses.
Musicians also became well-known in this era due to the rise of popular music and the advent of recording technology. The fame of musicians has continued into the current era with the likes of Madonna and Elvis Presley continuing to have a strong presence in the world of music.
Actors have a long history of becoming celebrities due to the large number of films they appear in. This is not limited to Hollywood films, but also includes a wide variety of independent films and smaller movies that do very well at the box office. Actors also often become well-known for their television shows that they appear on. This is especially true for those actors that have a recurring role in a series such as Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) and Johnathon Schaech (Malcolm in the Middle).
In recent years we have seen a rise in the number of celebrities getting involved in politics. This is usually in the form of encouraging others to vote or making a statement about an issue. This is particularly true during election year when celebrities are more likely to speak out about the importance of voting. Some celebrities take this a step further and actively try to help make a change in the world, such as Ashton Kutcher, Marisol Nichols and Kim Kardashian West who have all started their own non-profits to assist people in need. This has led to them being recognized as more than just rich celebrities who do not give back to the community. These individuals have demonstrated that they can actually create a significant change with just a little effort. This is a powerful and effective way to use their fame for good.
