SOCIAL IMPRESSIONS

Why are we so engrossed in the lives of celebrities? We buy gossip magazines, watch the gossip television shows and read online updates about their lives, their choices and scandalous affairs. Many consider it entertainment, but it’s intrusive to the lives of the celebrities. I understand that they are paid millions upon millions to perform and then publicize those performances. However, that does not give us the right to follow their every move and then pass judgment. For example, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s affair has caused much controversy where Jolie was labeled as a “home-wrecker” and Pitt as a “good-for-nothing cheat.” First and foremost, how do we know we are getting the whole story about that particular situation? Secondly, who are we to judge? Thirdly, why are we so involved in their lives to feel justified in commenting about their decisions? They are entitled to make their own decisions without being publicly condemned.

However, I also understand why people follow the salacious celebrity gossip. It seems that either the viewers/readers’ lives are somewhat boring, or the celebrities are more relatable because it is shown that they aren’t perfect. For example, a woman who lost her husband to another woman may follow the story because she feels sorry for “poor Jennifer Aniston.”

Celebrities are looked to as role models and we feel the need to copy their style, choices, eating habits and fitness regiments. Many magazines have capitalized on our intrigue, and thereby plaster the face of an A-list star on the cover to guarantee sales of their publication. The magazine staff knows we want to know Jennifer Lopez’s beauty rituals and Jessica Alba’s work out plan so we can mimic them to hopefully look just as “beautiful.” The thing is, these celebrities have a team of make-up artists, hair professionals, fitness coaches and beauty experts in tow to ensure they look the way they do. Also, airbrushing works wonders. Have you ever seen a picture of what they looked like before?

Many of us find time to pass judgments on these people, but they’re just that, people. If nothing else, maybe we should think twice before evaluating their lives as if we know them.