The word celebrity is most often associated with people in the entertainment industry like actors, singers and athletes, but it can be applied to other professions as well. Typically, celebrity is achieved through some sort of public exposure such as a television show, a movie or an album release. Celebrities can be admired and idolized by fans, who are often very interested in learning more about their personal lives. The popularity of reality shows and social media platforms have also democratized fame, allowing everyday people to cultivate their own public personas. The most famous celebrities are usually known for their beauty, talent and success in their field, but some become famous for other reasons such as being members of a particular family or having a specific style of fashion.
The earliest examples of celebrity date back to ancient times when people became famous for the heroic deeds they accomplished or their political or social status. Some of the most famous ancient people include Alexander of Macedon, Joan of Arc and Lisztomania, an enormous fan frenzy whipped up by a music artist called Franz Liszt in 1841. The early 20th century brought an explosion of celebrity culture as Hollywood turned out countless movies featuring popular stars with glamorous public images that tended to be far removed from their real lives.
Modern critics like Richard Dyer and Joshua Gamson have examined the commodification of fame, arguing that celebrities are not just public figures but rather brands whose image is constructed, marketed and sold to consumers. These authors note that celebrity acts as cultural texts that inscribe societal values and ideologies into celebrity personas, while simultaneously reflecting upon and shaping cultural narratives.
In the 21st century, reality shows such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians and American Idol have allowed ordinary people to achieve celebrity status, despite having no traditional accomplishments other than having a large online following. These social media influencers become famous by posting viral content and are a symbol of the changing nature of celebrity. In addition, a new generation of celebrity is emerging based on augmented reality applications such as Instagram and TikTok.
A common critique of contemporary celebrity is that it has lost its relevance to society, becoming largely a trivial pursuit based on superficial accomplishments or what social critic Daniel Boorstin calls “pseudo-events.” Celebrities who are famous for eating worms or allowing the intimate details of their personal lives to be broadcast on reality television are seen by some as an indication of this triviality and of the overall decline and poverty of the culture in which we live.
Despite this, there are still those who make the distinction between fame and celebrity and choose to use their fame to promote positive change in the world. Some of these people are very wealthy and often use their money to help those in need, such as by funding medical research or helping children in developing countries. Other celebrities become known for their activism, such as Greta Thunberg or Colin Kaepernick.
