Celebrity (29255)

A celebrity is a person who is widely recognized (famous) in a society and commands a degree of public and media attention. The word stems from the Latin celebritas, itself from the adjective celeber meaning 'famous, celebrated'. more...

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Fame is the major prerequisite for celebrity status, but not always sufficient. There has to be a level of public interest in the person which may or may not be connected to the reason they are famous. For example a public figure such as a politician, industry leader etc. may be famous but not a celebrity unless something else triggers public and media interest (e.g. Virgin Director Richard Branson attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon) Other types of fame, particularly those connected with mass entertainment are almost guaranteed to lead to celebrity even if the person deliberately avoids media attention. Examples of these are performers such as actors and musicians and athletes.

Rise of celebrity culture

The modern mass media has increased the exposure and power of celebrity. Often, celebrity carries with it immense social capital that is highly sought-after by some individuals. High-paying jobs and other social perks unavailable to most people are readily extended to celebrities, even for work not connected to the talents or accomplishments that made them famous. For example, a retired athlete might receive high "speaking fees", or compensation for public appearances, despite his talent having been sports, not oratory.

While some envy celebrities, and many aspire to celebrity, some who have attained it are ambivalent about their status. Often, celebrities cannot escape the public eye, and risk being followed by fans or paparazzi. As well, child celebrities are notorious for having poor emotional health in adulthood, and often turn to drug abuse when their celebrity fades (as it usually does). As adults, celebrities may suffer from Hollywood marriages which quickly end in separation or divorce.

Some participants in reality television shows have admitted that they appeared on these programs with the goal in mind of attaining celebrity. Most often, they achieve only "fleeting celebrity" with no social or economic value. However for those with career ambitions in the media, it can be an ideal start as a fastlane to fame as an actor or presenter. For example, the Australian Big Brother semifinalist Blair McDonough landed a major part in the worldwide-broadcasted family soap Neighbours (even some plot elements mimicking his BB performance).

Celebrity culture, once restricted to royalty and mythical figures, has pervaded many sectors of society including business, publishing, and even academia (the scilebrities).

Only a small proportion of individuals in any profession can achieve true celebrity. For those who do, the benefits can be substantial-- in the form of speaking fees, book advances, and high-paying "consulting" jobs from firms seeking access.

Read more at Wikipedia.org