Celebrities and Consumerism

It is so evident that our definition of a “celebrity” has definitely changed. Reality TV allows people to become famous that aren’t necessarily professional entertainers. As we discussed in class, what it actually takes to become famous is now really hard to define.

I’m a sucker for gossip columns and magazines. While poking through them I realized that there is something common between all the people who are most talked about. Though some are entertainers and some are not, the celebrities that are in the news are those who are SELLING something. Kim Kardashian was a difficult celebrity for us to define, but she qualifies because she has a brand around her name that markets clothing, fragrances, diets, home/bedding, and more. Another person I see in the gossip magazines a lot is Jessica Simpson. Though she was a singer she hasn’t produced an album in years. However she does market a large brand of clothing, footwear and fragrance. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are much the same. Justin Bieber is huge in entertainment news right now and although he is an active singer he also represents all kinds of products from food to fragrances to NAIL POLISH! All popular celebrities seem to have some kind of brand synergy around there name and it is such a blatant nod at consumerism.

Having worked an internship in the news, I know that celebrities are interviewed or talked about when they have something to promote. Having celebrities on air  increases ratings and celebrities usually have a tie to some product. It forces me to ask the question: what are we idolizing? The person or the products? I’d have to say it’s the products.