Celebrities are fascinating to many people. They are idols and role models that shape people’s personal identities, lifestyle choices and moral perspectives. Writing an essay about celebrities can be challenging because of the intensely polarized opinions that surround them. But it’s important to be objective and to back up your arguments with evidence. You can use scholarly articles and even celebrity essays written by other students and professionals to help you compose your own essay on this interesting topic.
A celebrity is someone who enjoys a high degree of fame and public recognition, usually for their achievements in the arts or entertainment industry. The concept of celebrity has developed in tandem with the growth of mass media and social media. The 19th century saw the emergence of penny presses, boosting the reach of celebrities whose exploits were shared in newspapers and posters. Celebrities of the era included stage actors, opera singers and infamous criminals who gained notoriety for their acts of daring and crime.
In modern times, celebrity is based on a combination of factors including image and popularity. A person’s fame is augmented by the fact that he or she has a highly visible career, and the more successful this career is, the more popular a celebrity becomes. This is true for a variety of professions, from sports stars and film actors to musicians and political figures. For example, Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley were both famous for their dramatic and musical careers and Madonna has become a global icon for her business prowess and innovative music styles.
Some scholars believe that the modern celebrity is a cultural artifact of the late 20th century. This view reflects the influence of pop culture and of the commodification of fame that is so central to the contemporary media environment. But it neglects the fact that the essential elements of celebrity culture were already well established in the 19th century, beginning with Barnum’s promotion of “Lindomania” (predating Beatlemania by 100 years) and continuing with the popularity of collecting and trading portraiture cards and the marketing of a wide range of products, from tea and mustard to lipstick and hair creams, with testimonials and images of prominent figures.
Some people become famous just by being born into the right family. Paris Hilton, for example, became a celebrity because of her wealth and the prominence of her family. This type of celebrity is sometimes called “famous for being famous” or simply “famous”. Other people become famous through the success of their businesses, such as entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg. Other people become famous through their athletic abilities, such as footballers Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Celebrities can also be famous for their good deeds or through their social activism. Regardless of how they become famous, however, it’s important for celebrities to remember that their status is a privilege that comes with a responsibility to maintain the dignity and integrity of those around them. This is especially crucial when dealing with the slew of tabloid and other media portrayals of their personal lives.