A celebrity is a person who has achieved fame for their work or achievements. People who act in movies, people who sing/rap songs and people who play a sport can become celebrities. Other examples are high-ranking politicians, television show hosts and people who go to outer space. Celebrities are often hired to promote products. They might hawk a new movie, a television series or a drink. Whether it is Cindy Crawford gulping down a Pepsi or Shaquille O’Neal hawking Icy Hot, celebrity endorsements are very effective at influencing consumer choices.
The concept of celebrity has evolved from being linked to a notable achievement to an emphasis on personal image and persona. Celebrities model behaviors and values that become cultural benchmarks for success, beauty and influence. This shift in celebrity meaning has been facilitated by the commodification of fame through PR strategies, endorsements and social media.
Modern celebrity culture can create a feeling of intimacy between celebrities and the public. This can lead to over-identification with a celebrity, which in turn leads to unhealthy psychological absorption and addiction. In addition, celebrity culture blurs the lines between public and private life, creating a sense of entitlement to details of a celebrity’s personal life.
A celebrity’s life can be very eventful and complicated, which is why many celebrities have mental breakdowns and/or drug problems. They are constantly followed by the paparazzi and have their lives documented in magazines, websites and TV shows. They also must juggle their busy schedules with family and friends.