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Intelligence Squared

Fame, Women and the Toxic Noughties

Jan 24, 2024
01:08:08
Snipd AI
Columnist Sarah Ditum and writer and broadcaster Helen Lewis discuss how internet culture impacted celebrities during the early 2000s, focusing on female stars like Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse. They explore the complex portrayal of beauty and flaws in the media, the challenges faced by celebrities like Amy Winehouse and Daniel Radcliffe, the connection between Vince McMahon, Donald Trump, and professional wrestling, the shift in societal perception of women with the rise of social media, and a legal case involving celebrity intrusion.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The 2000s saw a shift in how female celebrities were portrayed, with a focus on their 'real' selves rather than their controlled image, leading to both positive and negative consequences.
  • Female celebrities faced double standards, being expected to be desirable and morally impeccable, which resulted in mocking and shaming, particularly for successful and assertive women.

Deep dives

The Influence of Internet Culture on Celebrity Treatment

The podcast episode discusses how internet culture in the 2000s changed the way female celebrities were treated by the media. It explores the shift from a controlled and curated image to the exposure of the 'real' versions of celebrities. This was fueled by the breakdown of traditional power structures in celebrity journalism, allowing the public to see celebrities more authentically. However, this newfound transparency also led to the shaming and humiliation of celebrities, particularly women, with a focus on their physical appearance. The episode highlights the repercussions of being a woman in the public eye during that time and the struggles they faced.

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