The Price of Fame: The Objectification of Celebrities
“Just a reminder… I have boundaries. Do not cross them. Thank you,” stated Lea Salonga in a tweet in response to a fan who barged into her dressing room uninvited and unannounced. Cases of celebrities being mistreated by their fans have bombarded news sites in recent months. Reports of singers being thrown objects on stage, with an unfortunate few getting injured, have gained massive public attention and been copiously spread around social media. Objectification, the act of perceiving and actively treating an individual as an object, is an outstanding concern here. And the sad reality is that this form of abuse towards these celebrities doesn’t seem to end. With this issue seemingly at its peak, the takeaway is clear: the public’s narrative of celebrities is no longer healthy and has evolved to them being objects of entertainment rather than actual people.
When entering the world of stardom, individuals appear to have to choose between two options: fame and basic human rights. Stalking, for one, has become a common occurrence among celebrities and their fans. This can be seen when fans leaked the location of singer Doja Cat’s hotel in Paraguay or when sasaengs (obsessive fans) track and follow their K-pop idols’ whereabouts. When these celebrities do speak out against the abuse and stand up for themselves, they end up receiving backlash and criticism rather than apologies and understanding. BTS’ Jungkook and V’s response to a sasaeng, “I’m human too,” undoubtedly and wholly describes the objectification celebrities are forced to endure.
"I [...] dare you. Dare you to throw something at me, and I'll [....] kill you,” jokingly teased singer-songwriter Adele to her fans in response to the recent and sudden influx of fans throwing objects at celebrities. Despite the light-hearted nature of her delivery, it's evident there was gravity, and even a sense of distress, in her statement. While Adele avoided becoming another victim of this trend, many others couldn’t. Bebe Rexha had a phone thrown at her during a concert, resulting in three stitches in her left eye. Others such as Steve Lacy, Cardi B, and Harry Styles are other examples of celebrities who met a similar ill fate.
“HELP ME: WHO HAS THE BABIES,” “BRITNEY’S BREAKDOWN,” and “MOMMY’S CRYING,” headlined magazines regarding Britney Spears’ erratic behavior as a result of her desperate fight for the custody of her children. Meanwhile, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Mariah Carey’s pregnancy was prematurely revealed after DeGeneres purposefully forced her to drink champagne. In a quick turn of events, Carey ended up having a miscarriage, which could’ve been hidden from the public had the television host not outed her pregnancy. You know you’ve made it in the entertainment industry when your supposedly private issues have become part of public discussion and are commodified in the media. Celebrities are treated like characters in a reality television show; only their “drama” isn’t scripted, the backlash is uncontrollable, and they can’t monetize it.
The general majority may continue to believe that “they knew what they were getting into.” But remember that many celebrities enter the entertainment industry because of their passion and talent rather than for money or fame. Adele, for one, was inspired to embark on a singing career when she came across the works of Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. However, regardless of their intent, the bottom line is clear: these celebrities are still humans. All these people have their own stories, inspirations, and identities, which are immediately disregarded once they get on the big screen or onstage. Though the entertainment industry is notoriously controversial and toxic, there is no point in perpetuating its acceptance. Basic human rights, such as simple respect and privacy, are given to every individual upon their birth, and their future or career path shouldn’t affect or change that.
The objectification of celebrities cannot be more evident than it is now. With the heightened increase of reports regarding celebrities being hit onstage and cases piling up in just the year 2023, it’s apparent that a trend is materializing, and it won’t stop until everyone acknowledges this. At the end of the day, one must remember that celebrities are people too.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65959685
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66358971
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/09/entertainment/harry-styles-hit-eye-stage/index.html
https://www.musicgateway.com/blog/how-to/how-did-adele-become-famous-how-was-she-discovered
