Celebrity Obsession Essay Outline

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Thesis: Celebrity obsession negatively impacts our country.

1. How celebrities are negatively impacted:

• Invasion of Privacy - I'd like to point out in my essay that celebrity obsession leads to the invasion of celebrities' personal and private lives. Those who invade celebrities' privacy are usually the media, especially tabloids, gossip magazines, and the paparazzi, as well as fans (and haters) of particular celebrities. The personal information and photos obtained and shared by companies and individuals can lead to other issues, such as...
• Development of Psychological Issues - When celebrities are obsessed over, idolized, and featured all over the media on a consistent basis, they can become conceited, believing that they are or need to be "perfect" in order to stay famous and important. On the other hand, for many celebrities, this pressure to be or appear perfect is too much for them, which can result in the development of psychological issues and disorders, such as eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. Also, celebrities who struggle with these things are constantly being watched and reported on as they are suffering with these issues, which can make the situation even worse.
• Exposed to Danger and Violation - Because our country is so obsessed with gaining information about celebrities, the public can learn where celebrities live, work, and hang out. The paparazzi and even those who hate celebrities can gain access to this information, which exposes celebrities to stalking, harassment, or even physical abuse.

2. How the press/paparazzi is negatively impacted:

• Contributors to the media develop a negative view of celebrities - Writers, editors, reporters, and photographers use celebrities to make money and gain business, which makes them see celebrities as "something" instead of someone. hey don't see celebrities as humans with feelings, but rather as something to use for financial gain. This attitude towards celebrities can be harmful to the press as well as celebrities.
• The press/paparazzi lose their sense of morality and boundaries - From my research, I have found that members of the press will lie, cheat, disobey rules, and invade privacy to get a good story. There is certainly a problem with our society when its celebrity obsession leads to this kind of behavior of the press.

3. How the general public is negatively impacted:

• Unhealthy Idolization of and Addiction to Celebrities - When individuals are constantly exposed to celebrity gossip and other information about celebrities, they can develop an unhealthy attachment to particular celebrities, even when they have never met these celebrities. For some individuals who have interacted with their favorite celebrity, they become addicted to that celebrity. They may even stalk them, or try to see them any time they can. This can be harmful to these individuals much like any other addiction.
• Psychological Issues - Celebrity obsession of the public can also lead to other issues, such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. This can occur because celebrities are often portrayed as skinny, fit, and unrealistically beautiful, which can make fans want to be just like their favorite celebrities, at whatever cost. While it may be true when people say that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," this extreme form of imitation is self-destructive and unhealthy.
• Focus on Celebs, Ignore More Important Issues - When our country spends a lot of time and money on the obsession and exposure of celebrities, we are not spending as much time, money, and energy on working to solve issues in our community. I'd like to point out the fact that, while many people in our country find the status of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's relationship so important, there are other people in America (and in other countries) who struggle with homelessness, poverty, and problems caused by natural disasters. These issues are more important to me than what happens in the personal lives of celebrities, and I think our country should encourage people to spend more time, energy, and money on solving local issues in their communities.

Written by Hayley Leach