MaxB discusses what it is to be a celebrity today, and the essential fact that we are all human.

In today’s society, celebrity is seen as a commodity. To be famous is something special and we hold those we deem to be celebrities in high regard – you have to think that must put a lot of pressure on a person, but it seems that we don’t think that. Instead we scrutinise these people based on everything they do.

Why do we feel like we can judge these people that we’ve never met based on superficial factors? Why do we laugh at these people when they make mistakes? Why do we feel like we can make fun of them when they have breakdowns?

These are the questions that bug me on nights like tonight. As I’m writing this, the BAFTA’s are happening, and not long after they’ve finished, the Grammy’s will begin. And I’m sure that there will be many things that people will be talking about tomorrow, whether it be positive or negative, I really hope that they are positive things. After all, these people are just that – people, human beings just like me or you, with emotions and feeling that get hurt just like ours. The only difference is we don’t have to deal with millions of strangers knowing everything about our lives, and then discussing our lives with other strangers over the internet.

We live in a society that encourages the ridicule of these people. Websites like TMZ actively pester celebrities into getting a response, and when they get that massive blow-up reaction from their victim of the day, the whole world turns on that celebrity and chastises them for their irresponsible actions.

In a world where celebrities lose it on a regular basis, and either take it out on themselves (Britney Spears) or on someone else (Kanye West and the paparazzi) it makes you wonder, is it truly these individuals that have issues, or is it the environment they live in that has the issues?

If you take away anything from this blog, then take away this- these people are just like us, and they deserve our understanding and patience. Next time you feel like criticising these people, just remember, you don’t have to live your life in front of all those cameras.

MaxB, M, 16