The Psychological Effects of Fame
Celebrities may seem to live the glory life, though in reality, the illusion of fame may be misleading. Never ceasing mockery from the media and constant criticism from those watching can take a hard toll on a person’s mental state. The psychological effects of fame can have negative consequences unless acted upon in a healthy way.
In American society, fame is the ideal career. Children and adults have striven to be well known and admired for as long as history has been recorded. Why is this a common goal among individuals all over the world? Evidence has shown that the longing for fame often traces back to feelings of rejection (Carey). Marilyn Monroe spoke of her childhood desire to be noticed, after thirteen years of being neglected. While speaking of arriving late to special events, she stated in her autobiography, “People are waiting for me. I’m wanted” (152). Her absolute desire to feel a sense of belonging drove her further in her career as an actress and idol. This label of “celebrity” props them on a pedestal above the average American.
People seem to obsess over the hope that millions might know their name and face, yet when they achieve this goal, they seem to lose their taste for it. Culture shock and lifestyle changes that occur with fame often cause the newfound celebrities to realize that fame is not all they had thought it was. The sudden lack of privacy can often leave the individual in a state of isolation, and feelings of distrust can form. These occurrences can even lead to a splitting of personalities, an authentic self becoming secondary to the famous self (Rockwell).
After realizing their newfound dislike for the stresses of the famous lifestyle, celebrities need a way to cope. Their methods are notoriously unhealthy with drugs and alcohol at the forefront. The addictions only increase the difficulty of the famous lifestyle. In the case of Kurt Cobain, whose introverted personality didn’t fit the template of most celebrities, turned to seclusion and eventually suicide (Schultz).
The media is constantly invading the privacy of celebrities, and while everyone is watching them, celebrities are watching themselves with a more critical eye. It is human nature to seek a need for approval. So with the increased amount of attention to a new celebrity, it is only natural that they would view themselves through the eyes of those watching.
Observing the stages of fame can aid in the understanding of the psychological effects of celebrities. The first stage is often thriving in the attention of fame. The individual soaks up the spotlight, adores their fans, and loves the status they have been placed in. The next stage occurs after the celebrity’s schedule picks up. With the media virtually ridding all privacy, the individual is drained of energy and passion for their career. Trickling into the next phase, there is a constant feeling of being trapped. The individual is stuck in a vicious cycle where they want so desperately to get away from all the attention, yet have an addiction to the status and power that comes with their position. The celebrity may or may not travel to the next stage, acceptance of their new lifestyle. Realizing their situation with the media and their standing with the rest of society is the first step to adaptation. The last stage, changing their lifestyle to fit their new self, can be a positive or negative move. If handled in an unhealthy way, this final phase of fame could possibly be the end of a celebrity’s life. Drugs or alcohol are two of the most popular tools used to adapt to the new lifestyle. If dealt with in a positive way though, adaptation can be a beautiful experience (Rockwell).
Along with the countless numbers of celebrities who dealt with the psychological consequences of fame in an unhealthy way, there are a handful who see the bigger picture. Audrey Hepburn was one of these remarkable individuals who used her fame to fuel her plan of making a difference. Her focus was not on money or power, but being the best person she could be, and showing the rest of the world how to do the same. Coming from a childhood full of broken homes and facing near death, Audrey knew how feeling unloved and forgotten can impact a person. She dedicated her life in her older years to helping malnourished children in third world countries. Her philosophy is still admired by many today, “I realize that most of us live on the skin…without appreciating just how wonderful it is simply to be alive at all”(Walker 127). Audrey Hepburn was a beautiful example of how to face the psychological consequences of fame in a healthy way.
Though fame may seem glamorous from the outside perspective, the illusion is skewed. The mental strain that is inherently attached to being a celebrity can be the cause of lowered self esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide. Unless the individual uses their fame as the fuel in making a bigger difference in the world, the glory doesn’t last forever. For many celebrities, their fame is ultimately the death of them.
Works Cited
Carey, Benedict. "The Fame Motive." New York Times. New York Times Company, 22 Aug. 2006. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/health/psychology/22fame.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
Monroe, Marilyn. My Story. Illustrated Ed. Lanham, Maryland: Taylor Trade, 2007. Print.
Rockwell, Donna. "Fame Is a Dangerous Drug: A Phenomenological Glimpse of Celebrity." Web log post. The New Existentialists. Saybrook University, 18 Feb. 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newexistentialists.com/posts/02-18-12>.
Schultz, William Todd. "The Psychological Consequences of Fame." Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 26 Mar. 2009. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.<http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/genius-and-madness/200903/the-psychological-consequences-fame->.
Walker, Alexander. Audrey. New York, New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1994. Print.
Celebrities may seem to live the glory life, though in reality, the illusion of fame may be misleading. Never ceasing mockery from the media and constant criticism from those watching can take a hard toll on a person’s mental state. The psychological effects of fame can have negative consequences unless acted upon in a healthy way.
In American society, fame is the ideal career. Children and adults have striven to be well known and admired for as long as history has been recorded. Why is this a common goal among individuals all over the world? Evidence has shown that the longing for fame often traces back to feelings of rejection (Carey). Marilyn Monroe spoke of her childhood desire to be noticed, after thirteen years of being neglected. While speaking of arriving late to special events, she stated in her autobiography, “People are waiting for me. I’m wanted” (152). Her absolute desire to feel a sense of belonging drove her further in her career as an actress and idol. This label of “celebrity” props them on a pedestal above the average American.
People seem to obsess over the hope that millions might know their name and face, yet when they achieve this goal, they seem to lose their taste for it. Culture shock and lifestyle changes that occur with fame often cause the newfound celebrities to realize that fame is not all they had thought it was. The sudden lack of privacy can often leave the individual in a state of isolation, and feelings of distrust can form. These occurrences can even lead to a splitting of personalities, an authentic self becoming secondary to the famous self (Rockwell).
After realizing their newfound dislike for the stresses of the famous lifestyle, celebrities need a way to cope. Their methods are notoriously unhealthy with drugs and alcohol at the forefront. The addictions only increase the difficulty of the famous lifestyle. In the case of Kurt Cobain, whose introverted personality didn’t fit the template of most celebrities, turned to seclusion and eventually suicide (Schultz).
The media is constantly invading the privacy of celebrities, and while everyone is watching them, celebrities are watching themselves with a more critical eye. It is human nature to seek a need for approval. So with the increased amount of attention to a new celebrity, it is only natural that they would view themselves through the eyes of those watching.
Observing the stages of fame can aid in the understanding of the psychological effects of celebrities. The first stage is often thriving in the attention of fame. The individual soaks up the spotlight, adores their fans, and loves the status they have been placed in. The next stage occurs after the celebrity’s schedule picks up. With the media virtually ridding all privacy, the individual is drained of energy and passion for their career. Trickling into the next phase, there is a constant feeling of being trapped. The individual is stuck in a vicious cycle where they want so desperately to get away from all the attention, yet have an addiction to the status and power that comes with their position. The celebrity may or may not travel to the next stage, acceptance of their new lifestyle. Realizing their situation with the media and their standing with the rest of society is the first step to adaptation. The last stage, changing their lifestyle to fit their new self, can be a positive or negative move. If handled in an unhealthy way, this final phase of fame could possibly be the end of a celebrity’s life. Drugs or alcohol are two of the most popular tools used to adapt to the new lifestyle. If dealt with in a positive way though, adaptation can be a beautiful experience (Rockwell).
Along with the countless numbers of celebrities who dealt with the psychological consequences of fame in an unhealthy way, there are a handful who see the bigger picture. Audrey Hepburn was one of these remarkable individuals who used her fame to fuel her plan of making a difference. Her focus was not on money or power, but being the best person she could be, and showing the rest of the world how to do the same. Coming from a childhood full of broken homes and facing near death, Audrey knew how feeling unloved and forgotten can impact a person. She dedicated her life in her older years to helping malnourished children in third world countries. Her philosophy is still admired by many today, “I realize that most of us live on the skin…without appreciating just how wonderful it is simply to be alive at all”(Walker 127). Audrey Hepburn was a beautiful example of how to face the psychological consequences of fame in a healthy way.
Though fame may seem glamorous from the outside perspective, the illusion is skewed. The mental strain that is inherently attached to being a celebrity can be the cause of lowered self esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide. Unless the individual uses their fame as the fuel in making a bigger difference in the world, the glory doesn’t last forever. For many celebrities, their fame is ultimately the death of them.
Works Cited
Carey, Benedict. "The Fame Motive." New York Times. New York Times Company, 22 Aug. 2006. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/health/psychology/22fame.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
Monroe, Marilyn. My Story. Illustrated Ed. Lanham, Maryland: Taylor Trade, 2007. Print.
Rockwell, Donna. "Fame Is a Dangerous Drug: A Phenomenological Glimpse of Celebrity." Web log post. The New Existentialists. Saybrook University, 18 Feb. 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newexistentialists.com/posts/02-18-12>.
Schultz, William Todd. "The Psychological Consequences of Fame." Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 26 Mar. 2009. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.<http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/genius-and-madness/200903/the-psychological-consequences-fame->.
Walker, Alexander. Audrey. New York, New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1994. Print.