Celebrity phenomenon may be described as the excessive interest of common people in the private life of the so-called celebrities, that is, famous people. This obsession is mainly portrayed in the specialized media, gossip magazines, TV shows and so on; where the main subject is the daily life of actors, actresses, singers, and even not very talented people - since they are known by the audience (not only the ones the audience look up to). Despite every little thing done by a celebrity is reason for great attention – a tempest in a teapot, one can say – the icing on the cake always relates to negative aspects experienced by the famous ones – especially those ones reacting badly to such exposure – it can range from scandals, betrayals, alcohol and drugs abuse to ordinary problems faced by everyone every day: being negative is the only requirement.
Everybody knows that one of the worst characteristics of the human race is the morbid curiosity in the other’s private life – media vehicles also know it – then, they see this phenomenon as an opportunity to profit. Millions of magazines are sold, gossip TV shows attract advertisers due to large audience rates, consequently generating a lot of money. An industry is set. An industry which only depends on people’s attraction for shallow articles in magazines or newspapers trying desperately to create new situations for their readers. On the other hand, important issues which would encourage reflection and a deep understanding are left on the second plan by the great media. All this because they do not ensure a fast return on investment. Thus, it is a good job to exploit people’s image and sell very well.
In short, after considering the ideas above, we may say that there are two main players in such scenario: the first one is the audience always demanding for more shallow information – information which can be read quickly, not requiring great reflection, in other words, disposable information – while the second one, the media vehicles, are required to generate information all the time, and replacing them by new ones, so that it can sell more and more, then feeding the industry. The problem, in a general view, lays on the manner media balances its role of transmitting information while selling products. In order to make the world a better place, transmitting information should always be the priority.
