A quick look at how celebrity figures have been perceived throughout the ages…
Since the recorded beginnings of society, it can be argued that there have always been celebrity-type figures, be they rulers, travellers or great warriors. Seemingly a pivotal part of the population, they have often garnered fame, admiration and celebration for a wealth of different reasons.In ancient times, the Greeks worshipped the cunning Odysseus and heroic Hercules – the greatest and strongest of men – while if we fast-forward to pre- and post-apartheid for black South Africans, Nelson Mandela was seen almost as a deity at this time.
We now however most commonly associate celebrities with either their particular talents, looks or supposedly mysterious lifestyles. When the word ‘celebrity’ is used, such superstars as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Marilyn Monroe might initially come to mind, as all cultivated a frenzy of interest during their lifetimes and, even now, their legacies still leave the shrouded mystery and legendary statuses that once surrounded them years and decades ago.
Olden Hollywood established the cult status of being a celebrity, sending forth the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart in front of the masses in a dazzling shower of glamour and grace. These celebrity talents quickly became icons that seemed to deeply affect the general populace on an international scale. Frank O’Hara’s poem – “Lana Turner has collapsed!” – is indicative of the personal ties that people once felt to those whom they saw on the silver screen and the great public interest that surrounded all aspects of their private lives.
Today, this personal connection may have been fostered to an even greater extent. With the meteoric rise of social media and various technologies, celebrities are no longer left as the beautiful strangers orbiting far from our reach. They are now tangible presences, conducting countless interviews, participating in press tours and conferring with fans in a virtual yet completely immediate manner.
The term ‘celebrity’ itself has also changed, having been broadened with various new strains. Although we continue to raise talented people from all public arenas onto a pedestal, nowadays it is far easier to attain this celebrity status. Beauty, unconventionality and rebellious or sometimes even reckless behaviour are now all that one needs to engineer their own fame, now more than ever due to everyday people owning the tools to generate public interest themselves.
However, most celebrities are still – and will likely always be – cherished and much sought-after by the public. Celebrity booking agencies act to represent famous personalities that have a unique and renowned appeal and, so long as public interest is sustained, there will always be a lucrative market for these prominent figures. The element of prestige and wonder attached to these people when in the spotlight results in a high value placed on their thoughts and opinions. This, alongside holding personal insight and experience in their relevant fields, makes after-dinner speaking and motivational talks both popular choices for celebrity talents.
The number of famous individuals is constantly increasing as many of us continuously act to idolise those with great achievements and abilities, and due to our technological advances, fame is becoming less of a totally enigmatic club. Meanwhile, as the world continues to shrink due to social media collapsing borders and travelling becoming ever-simpler and more affordable, celebrity talents are able to both operate on the international stage and connect with more people easier than ever before.
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