Celebrity is now defined as being a star or superstar. Notoriety is defined as an unsavory reputation. These definitions give me pause. Are the entertainers in the news today, with all their actions, true celebrities (stars) or are we just seeing their notoriety (unsavory behaviors)?
For example, how often have you heard comments about Miley Cyrus’s songs? I have not heard one – all I have heard is about her state of dress or undress. The latest comment I heard was about her concert on New Year’s Eve – not the actual concert, but that she wore more clothes than usual. She is not a celebrity by the current definition.
Now that we have phones that can video behaviors, and Utube, Facebook, and other social media that can present them, we know far more than we probably want to know about our celebrities’ behaviors rather than their abilities. Of maybe that is what we want to know.
Every type of successful (or wealthy) athlete is a celebrity. Their wives are also celebrities with all their suitable and unsuitable behaviors. Actors, singers, TV personalities, politicians (Bob Ford comes to mind), and so many others all are considered “celebrities” by today’s standards. If you can get your name in the papers, on social media, or on the news you are a celebrity, i.e. Octomom. What you do may not be star quality and possibly is unsavory, but by today’s standards you will be a celebrity.
I think we need to redefine celebrity as one who is notorious and may or may not exhibit star behavior. Talent or skills may get you called a celebrity, but bad behavior surely will.
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