The Celebrity Matrix: Its time to Wake Up!!!
by Tenisha Anderson
Everyone seems happy to see that Paris Hilton got what she deserved by going to jail. Yes, she broke the law. No, she wasn't above the law. Yes, she did the time. These particular issues obviously aren't up for debate within society. Send her to the guillotine. However, in the circus of Paris Hilton 'cell block 4' stories, I can't help but wonder is Paris the ditzy blonde we all perceive her to be...or are we, the public? I honestly believe the answer is the latter.
It goes without saying that Paris Hilton (26 y.o.), Nicole Richie (25 y.o.), Lindsay Lohan (20 y.o.), Britney Spears (25 y.o.), and all other young starlets and socialites could actually be seen as savvy PR spokespersons that have strategically campaigned their 15 minutes of fame to last just that much longer, as opposed to being dumb asses that don't know what they are doing or talking about. As hard as this pill may be to swallow, maybe our society needs to wake up and come to terms with being an overly celebrity-obsessed culture. Society has only put fuel to the fire. Thus giving these young, rich and wild young ladies a permanent stage to perform their personal lives on.
For instance, when Britney Spears shaved her head and got herself some tattoos, the world appeared shocked at such an act. The Times Online (19 February 2007) even claimed she was mentally unstable, on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Come on. Would this have really been an issue had Britney been Bethany from Bumblef**k, Montana (I have nothing against Montana...beautiful state)? Answer: No! However, society has put her so high on a pedestal that she would break her hip just trying to come down. Britney just saw a way to keep all eyes on her. Hell, she's working on an album due to come out at the end of the year. She can't let Lindsay or Paris hog all the attention.
How about Lindsay Lohan and her street stories...literally. Can the public really continue to believe that her rehab excursions, drunken nights, and druggy days don't have some type of PR spin to it? In all honesty, stories like these rarely surprise me anymore, because I've taken the 'red pill, Neo' and realized that whether it's good or bad publicity, it all has one thing in common...the word PUBLICITY.
Yes, I'm sure there are those of us are saying, "but Britney and Lindsay are actual entertainers and Paris, Nicole, etc. are not." Yes, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Kimberly Stewart, and a slew of other socialites have gained attention simply because of their family lineage. Many feel these women are famous for apparently no reason whatsoever. But honestly, who wouldn't take advantage of the immediate contacts into the entertainment industry, unlimited funds, and people always at your beck and call...come now, doesn't that sound pretty tempting?
Now don't get me wrong, I have not jumped on the 'poor-little-rich-girl' bandwagon. I'm just simply commenting on the one side of the issue that is forgotten, and that is that this girls are just that...girls. They can hardly be classified as women because they have yet to mature to that level...it takes some of us longer to do so. Society has forgotten that these ladies are still young and trying to find their place in the world. However, because they are in the public eye they are expected to be role models and show some class...right? Wrong? Maybe? Who's to say overexposure would put someone into 'role model' mode. Aren't we asking a bit much here? Let's think about this. Why on God's green earth would you want these girls to be role models, they obviously haven't had the proper role model tutelage themselves? Why would you expect someone at the age of 18 or 19 (i.e. Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan in their hey day) to be a role model? Because they're in the spotlight? Give me a break. Hollywood a role model doesn't make and it's high time the world in general realizes that.
And why aren't the 'James Dean and Marlon Brando' wannabes being just as chastised for their debauchery? Hollywood and the media in general have definitely turned the other cheek (or given lesser press time) when it comes to reporting on the bad boys of entertainment. But should we be surprised? Hollywood and the media are operated under the tight thumb of white, American males whose stereotypical behavior is to judge everyone but himself. As much as this topic of discussion can go on and on, it's better if I just stop right there. Because, unfortunately, we all know very well the reason why men (not trying to sound all feminist fanatical) get away with murder, as opposed to their female counterparts when it comes to the public and media giving their two cents. It's the same reason why men who sleep around are called macks/players, and women who do the same act are subjected to being called hoes/sluts.
However, there is hope for our unrestrained ladies in waiting. Cue in the likes of Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhal, Julia Stiles, etc. All are viewed as fine examples of what a proper young lady should be and all have been part of the media circus starting at a very young age. Julia Stiles was a child actor and could easily have turned out to be as bad as a cast member from the movie 'KIDS', but she didn't. Goes to show that Hollywood may not be as much to blame, as the media and society are. And look at Drew Barrymore, yeah she went through her sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll phase as an adolescent, but time, yes time! moulded her into a much more mature, productive, and contributive individual, - not only to the Hollywood silver screen, but to society in general. My fellow celebrity junkies. It is possible that these girls can do that magical action we all do once we hit maturity...CHANGE! Yes, they can change and see life as more than a party, the next pair of Manolos, or a petite Chihuahua.
However, maybe I should just keep my thoughts and comments to myself. Being a member of the media, why would I want the public to start thinking for themselves and deciding what they want the media to tell them. Then the media will have to be forced to report on the issues that are worthwhile and needing of our attention (i.e. war, famine, corruption, a deteriorating earth, etc.)...and we wouldn't want that. Would we?
