Being famous for being famous is a rather new phenomenon achieved by such people as the Kardashian sisters. Usually fame is bestowed upon certain people because they excel at something or they are naturally in the public spotlight because of their profession. For this reason many of the things discussed in this chapter of the book connect with the other chapters' topics. Many of the celebrity icons worshipped in our culture find fame because they are involved in film, music, sports, sexuality, or possibly science I guess. As a Christian I think one of the most curious things to happen in our culture is the celebrification of certain preachers or pastors. Our insistence on idol-making rears its head even in those places most deeply committed to laws prohibiting such things.
Laderman investigates the connection some fans feels to celebrities that they have actually never met. They express incredible loyalty and devotion to people who they know only through the mediated sources provided by their television, magazines, and newspapers. People like Rudy Valentino, or princess Diana become a source of sacred experience for some people in a way that surpasses any kind of empty voyeurism. Somehow Americans look to these stars for ethical guidance as well secretly fantasize about them or seek to become like them (I'm thinking here of Octo-mom and her obviously unhealthy obsession with Angelina Jolie). What is it that makes these people worthy of imitation? While they may originally be recognized for some unique skill or accomplishment pretty soon their celebrity status becomes legitimated simply because they have celebrity status; it becomes detached from any particular concrete accomplishment.
Of all the topics examined in this book Laderman seems to think celebrity worship is the most likely to develop into an unhealthy fanaticism or pathology. He says that in the past heroes were awarded that status for reasons that mattered, they had some meaningful substance about them that deserved recognition, as opposed to our current heroes (celebrities) who achieve such status for no good reason and often fail to provide a positive example to their fans. A celebrity like Oprah on the other hand has a lot to offer to her faithful following and she wields that power in strategic ways. Like her or not she must be considered one of the most influential people in America. One of the dangers I feel exists due to celebrity worship in America can occur when fans listen to celebrities’ opinions on topics they may not be qualified to give advice on. Celebrities may feel the need to speak out certain issues which they may know very little about, influencing gullible fans who may give them more credibility than they're due.
Somehow, whether we think they deserve the attention or not, we are enamored with those people whose faces and lives are deemed worthy of entering our private lives through our television screens or our favorite magazines. Celebrities seem to be so much like us and yet there is something different; that difference which is so hard to explain that it just might be considered sacred.
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