Celebrities are NOT role models
August 14th 2007 01:43
Would you like your daughter to be like Britney?
I know I've said it before, but I'm going to rant again. Celebrities aren't role models! And it looks like the media is beginning to agree with me.
The tide of public opinion is finally beginning to turn against celebrities? Yes, we are obsessed with them (and before you get on your high horse and talk loudly about how you don’t give a damn about celebrities, let me just remind you that you’re reading THIS blog), but it seems as though we’re finally coming to the realisation that celebrities are not generally people that we should admire or strive to be like.
Cleo Magazine has come out and said that they will not be featuring celebrities on the cover of their magazine anymore. Cleo Editor, Nadahl Stelio says of celebrities, “their lifestyle is not one to aspire to at all and I just thought we shouldn’t have them on our cover.” That’s a big call when you consider that in the last 7 years, Cleo has only featured celebrities on it’s front cover. Cleo are instead looking to bring back models on their covers.
While you can make the argument that models are no better than celebrities, when it comes to being a role model, Kate Moss being one example, Cleo claims that celebrities are too overexposed. Models are seen as more mysterious.
Remember the days when Vogue, Cleo, Cosmo, Vanity Fair and the rest only ever had models on the cover? The day of the supermodel may be coming back.
But before you all let out a sigh of relief and think ‘well now, there’s some good role models for my kids’, remember one thing. Models, generally speaking, are paid to look good. Not to think. Not to have an opinion. But to look good. Their good looks sell products. Is that really the kind of person you want your kids to look up to? Someone with no opinions or thoughts, but who looks good in a bikini. Of course, both Lindsay Lohan’s and Britney Spears’ mothers’ answered yes to that question!
It’s fine to admire a celebrity, model or sports stars talent. But should their talents automatically make them role models? Hell no! Shane Warne is an amazing cricket player. But he’s a bloody ordinary human being. Admire him for his sporting skills, but don’t try to emulate how he acts.
Britney Spears was a global phenomenon at the age of 16. Can we admire the way she was catapulted to the top of a very difficult industry? Absolutely. Do you want to be like Britney? Lets see, constant partying, rehab, very public breakdowns, a loser ex-husband who now looks like a better parent than you because you’re so mental. Hmmm….sounds like fun to be Britney, but I think I’ll pass on that one.
Being really good at something does not automatically make you a good person, someone to be admired. I’m from Melbourne, the land of AFL. Where we treat football players as though they’re gods and then lament the fact that they’re not good role models. People, they’re football players. They’re real good at running fast and kicking and catching an odd shaped leather ball. I know that there are a lot of very intelligent footballers. But lets face it, they’re famous for their sporting prowess, not their brain power. So am I surprised when they do dumb stuff? Uh….that would be a no.
So, am I a bit hypocritical for being a self-confessed celebrity gossip addict and yet telling you not to use celebrities as role models? Eh, maybe. But I personally look at celeb’s and think to myself, they work a couple months a year, make mountains of cash, always look glamourous and can get just about anything they want. Sure, it’d be fun to have their life for a few days or weeks. But do I want to have paparazzi constantly following me around? Do I want to live knowing that I’m wide-open to criticism at every turn? My every move discussed and dissected by people I don’t know and will never meet.
Yeah, I’ll just stick to my own life thanks. It may not be as glam as some, but you know, I’m happy with it.
So, if celeb’s are out as role models, then who do we have? Who are some of the people that you admire or see as role model potential?
Okay, I'm going to go now and give you more celebrity gossip a little later on. See who wants to be a celebrity when it means you have people like me writing about you!
Links
Source
Photo credit
| 179 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
And then the models become celebrities and the cycle repeats.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
My 10-year-old's debating team had very little trouble in winning the same argument - just a fortnight ago. In fact it was pretty much a one-side affair. If 10-year-olds can see through the Paris Hilton's, the Britney's and and Jessica's - can someone remind me why we (or the media) keep putting the unworthy on a pedestal?
Regards
MNG
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
MNG - good work by your 10 yr old. You know, I think smart kids can see through these celebs. Often it's the parents who want them to act as role models. And they're not. They're usually just fucked up!
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Celebrities... I think I'd rather be JK Rowling than one of them... at least then there wouldn't be as much paparazzi... and I'd be rich for doing what I love... and I'd never have to work another day in my life... yay...
The only reason I read this was to see how the media was actually starting to agree... I don't give a damn about them... but, geez... took them long enough... mer.
I'll stick to the quiet writing life. Or, if I act-and I'd love to do that-I'll stick with side characters. No leading parts for me... I don't wanna risk paparazzi... *shudder*
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's funny because I just got home and I looked at your post on Nicole Richie being pregnant and thought that if she were a person we knew in real life, we would be concerned about how she would bring the baby up, drug use and all that sort of stuff. You have to wonder about the environments these babies are in....it's not good...
Byeeee
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Tracy - Given her history, you would be worried!!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
You're right though, it's hard to compare yourself to celebs....their lives are so far removed from ours!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Kylie
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Excellent post KW.
I wholeheartedly agree with this;
I do find it very odd that we consider actors role models...when all they really do is play a role.
In order to do so...and to do it well...really, they have to be devoid of any sense of their own self right?
I loved that era of the SuperModels.
They were freaks of nature and gorgeous to look at and I do not recall feeling less than because of them.
They are quite simply...salespeople.
And we knew that.
Kate Moss is considered a fashion icon more than a role model, yes?
Naomi is considered an utter nutter...look but do not touch.
No one wants to be like them. We just like to look at them.
I say bring back the SuperModel.
These news one are so boring. Plus fashion now seems to feed off film...not just for inspiration but also for thinspiration...the models of today are based on the Rachel Zoe sense of style...
Role models are found in everyday life...not on celluloid and in tabloids.
Having said that...
*sports stars...there are some...
Excellent reading...hope you have/had a nice night KW.
Dusk
Comment by Chic Critique
I agree, if someone is talented it shouldn't make them a role model. It unfortunately does make us interested in their mugs though, ergo the exploitation of their image throughout magazines in order to sell advertising space. We are then overwhelmed by their image and they are over exposed. Their influence is seen and felt provided we're not hiding under a rock or living in a cave.
The team of supermodels themselves became celebrities, but known for being unusually beautiful.
You're right though, none of this qualifies someone to be a role model. Hopefully the next generations are canny enough to know how to choose their own role models appropriately, and will recognise the plague of poor behaviour amongst the hollywood brats for what it is. Let's hope they find them from other areas of their life like school (teachers), university (lecturers), work, sports teams and their family. Smart women, women with drive, compassionate and ambitious, intelligent but sensitive, strong women.
Great post.
Cheers
CC
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
KW ... well said.
A.xx
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
To me, some celebs have always been the excess of extreme lifestyle and not lifestyles I would want to emulate... therefore I have never supported them either, or encouraged my children too... this is especially important as both perform publicly, regularly.
I have never supported them by buying magazines ... however, I like your posts because they outline this stupid, bizarre, ridiculous excessive aspect of them well and for me and my family, it's a great day when the world shifts to realising these people like Britney are basically talentless bogans and ferrals, who having got a lucky break, abuse it, again and again.
In my book, once is forgiveable, twice is not - strike three and you should be out permanently. For me it raises the question of why we need such people... is it to excuse bad bahaviour that we inherently (otherwise) know is wrong?
This is another great post Kylie.
Lilla ...
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
And we know there are some sports stars that are worthy of being role models......Larkyum obviously being one of them!
CC - it would be nice to think that youngsters would aspire to be like people who are intelligent and talented!!
Andrea - thanks!
Lilla - I agree with you totally. My problem with the likes of Lindsay Lohan is the fact that she's so stupid. Drink and do drugs to your hearts content. But you only got arrested 2 months ago for DUI.,.....why drive again 2 months later when you're loaded. I can't stand that type of stupidity!!!
Thanks for the comments ladies!!!
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Celebrities used to be so classy... when you see those old clips of Audrey Hepburn, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, etc, they carry themselves with grace and dignity, don't they?
I think we've seen so many 'pantyless upskirts' from young actresses and musicians that the thrill of wondering what they had on underneath has died.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
It also really irks me when I see some actors interviewed about the film/play they are promoting, and when they are asked questions that would be more pertinently put to the author/playwright, director or screenplay writer, instead of the actor stating this fact, they then start pontificating as if they were the sole creator of the work!
Then, to add insult to injury, they are asked, or volunteer, about political or social issues that they clearly should not comment upon because of a lack of acumen, intellect and insight.
Ok, so some actors do have a brain, and can make a constructive comment, but they are in the minority, by far.
I ought to know, I am directly related to a (all but now faded) celebrity/actor/social whatever, so I've seen it all from the inside...and lucky for them, I am not a journalist!!!
cheers, beers and catwalks,
and yes, bring back the super model...but also the male super model...MORE SWIM SUIT SHOTS OF THEM THANKS ! And why is it when we get TV coverage of catwalk shows, the camera ogles longingly all over a female model's torso, but when a male enters it is a quick long shot?
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
cheers
fog
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Fog - Agreed. Ordinary people are the ones we should use as role models! I know my parents were my role models. Expecting actors/actresses whose lives are worlds apart from ours to be role models is ridiculous!!
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
fog
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
fog
Comment by Anonymous
Keep up the good work.
Shanny
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I plan to be one of them. 25 years old and you still cant tell me its a fantasy, IM GONNA BE FAMOUS!
For something. I have many skills. Someones bound to realize my brilliance one day.
But Celebs have just gone too far a lot of them.....Who was that actress who said that actors in this day and age have it all wrong.....Damn, I cant find it. It was in the MX newspaper....When I find the quote I'll let you know. You'll love it.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Kleo - I must say, I think you'd make a great celeb! Definitely send across the quote if you find it
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Wonderful rant and post. Really enjoyed the comments and the debate regarding the dark side celebreality. I would hope that my son's role models are living breathing folks (preferable in his life) and not the paperdoll people in the public eye.
Mis
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
As I said earlier, my parents were my biggest role models. I would hope that parents would be role models for their kids. And hey, these days science is getting cooler. Soon it'll be hip young scientists who find cures for cancer and solutions to global warming that will be role models for kids????
Eh, then we'd probably just see scientists acting like tools.
Kylie
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Im looking for it, let you know when I find it.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
As for role models it is ridiculous that someone how plays make believe for a living, or is a pretty looking husk should in some way dictate reality....as for sports players the less said the better...plus how annoying would it be to constantly have to think about your image!
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
JD - It's a bizarre thing. I often check out x17 and they have video of all the stars as they're going about their business on the streets. It's weird to watch. You just think it's a bit abnormal to be watching Paris Hilton shopping on video. Kind of creepy.
As for image. It's probably why I could never be terribly famous. I just can't be bothered putting on make up some days. And tracksuit pants really are comfy. I'd be on the front cover of those Stars Without Make Up issue every time looking like a dog!!!
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
I think it's just that ancient human instinct to tear down those who have been placed on pedestals. After all, there are many many ordinary people who do things just as idiotic, more so in some cases, as Britney and Paris and Lindsay..they just don't have paparazzi recording every minute of it.
In the "old days", the gossip people weren't quite as ..insistent as the modern paparazzi are now. That kind of behaviour was considered to be in bad taste.
No, the old school gossip mavens played all celebs against each other in a giant ass-kissing contest. Those who puckered up best got a good mention in the column...
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Anyhoo, sorry my post repeated itself....do not know what happened...BUT...did you read a Bush cousin is getting hitched, she looks like a hybrid alien too!
cheers
fog
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
In Lindsay's case, I don't care how much coke she snorts and booze she drinks. I doubt she's done anything that I haven't. It's the fact that she was stupid enough to drive when she was high. That's just dumb. And I can't stand dumb!!!
Fog - don't worry about the double post. I do it often to others
I did hear that one of the Bush's are getting married. She's kind of an odd looking thing!