Joining the discussion is Rachel Handler, a Vulture features writer known for her sharp insights on celebrity culture. She delves into the changing landscape of fame, questioning who qualifies as a real celebrity today. The conversation highlights the disillusionment surrounding exorbitant ticket prices and the commercialization of celebrity personas. Rachel also explores the emotional investment of fans and the humorous absurdity of celebrities showcasing their lavish lifestyles on social media, leaving listeners pondering the future of fame.
The launch of Fenty Beauty in 2017 marked a shift in celebrity culture, blending authentic engagement with market-driven messaging and consumerism.
Growing skepticism towards celebrity endorsements arises from perceived class disconnect, as fans demand authenticity amidst a saturation of curated social media presence.
Deep dives
The Shift in Celebrity Culture
Celebrity culture has undergone a significant transformation, particularly marked by the launch of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty in 2017. This launch is seen as a pivotal moment where the aspirational image of celebrities began to blur with market-driven messaging, shifting from authentic engagement to blatant marketing. The discussion highlights how early COVID experiences, such as the 'Imagine' video featuring various celebrities, underscored the disparity between their privileged lives and the realities of the general public. This disconnect has fostered a growing skepticism towards celebrity culture and a demand for authenticity from public figures.
The Overexposure Dilemma
The constant exposure to celebrities through social media and advertising has created a culture of disillusionment among fans. Celebrities who once seemed distant and aspirational now appear excessively present, flooding every channel and commercial, which diminishes their allure. This saturation is further complicated by a perceived lack of genuine access to their lives, as social media often curates a controlled narrative rather than offering real insights. The rise of parasocial relationships blurs the lines between fans feeling connected to celebrities and recognizing their actual status as public figures.
Class Consciousness and Celebrity Endorsements
Celebrity endorsements are increasingly viewed through the lens of class consciousness, raising questions about the disconnect between stars and ordinary consumers. As celebrities promote products that may seem out of touch with their lifestyles, fans feel exploited, especially when the promoted items reflect societal inequalities. The prevalence of high-priced celebrity products, like Courtney Cox's cleaning spray and Beyoncé's whiskey, highlights the complex relationship fans hold with their idols. This commodification of celebrity has led many to seek figures who genuinely engage with societal issues or embrace a more provocative persona.
When twitch streamers can sway elections and viral videos can turn fifteen seconds of fame into hundreds of millions of dollars, it kind of makes you wonder: who's a real "celebrity" these days? And do they matter like they used to?
With fans fed up over ticket prices and endless product pushing, capital-C "celebrity" seems to be in its flop era. But is it gone for good? And, do we even want it back?
Brittany gets into all of it in front of a live audience at the annual On-Air Fest in Brooklyn with Vulture's Rachel Handler and Vox senior correspondent Alex Abad-Santos.
Support public media and receive ad-free listening & bonus content. Join NPR+ today.