All In The Mind Cruel intentions: how toxic tabloids and celebrity culture changed the way we talk about mental health
Aug 23, 2025
Jennifer Leake, a Reporter and producer for ABC RN, dives deep into the evolution of mental health discussions influenced by 2000s tabloid culture. They explore how intense scrutiny of celebrities like Amy Winehouse and Lindsay Lohan shaped public perceptions. Leake reflects on the shift from toxic narratives to a more compassionate dialogue about mental health in the age of social media. The conversation also highlights the psychology behind societal splitting and ongoing challenges in how we communicate about mental health today.
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Big Bets For Big Celebrity Stories
- Jo Piazza described being flown to a resort and chauffeured paparazzi to cover Eli Manning's wedding, showing how tabloids spent big on access.
- She said the outlet likely recouped costs by licensing photos and stories to bigger magazines.
90s Sensationalism Normalised Celebrity Humiliation
- David Kamp argues the 1990s normalized sensationalism by treating public scandals as entertainment.
- He said serious harms like child trauma were often laughed off rather than examined.
Visibility Became The New Currency Of Fame
- Sophie Gilbert links reality TV's rise to a new fame built on visibility rather than skill, which fuelled overexposure.
- She argued that overexposure created public resentment and cruelty toward women who courted attention.
