Stars + Celebrity

In the initial chapters of Stars, Richard Dyer makes clear and solid points about the understanding of the star system. The first two authors and references in which he addresses the star phenomenon establish the sort of arguments his book tackles, such as the issue of political significance and influence by celebrities on a society as a whole. King writes that “stars have a privileged position in the definition of social roles and types, and this must have real consequence in terms of how people believe they can and should behave.” According to King, stars in their own way are unavoidable images of representation in society. For instance, though I know we’re all sick to our stomachs by the mere utterance of her name, Britney Spears’ activities are without a doubt documented day to day from her exciting ventures to Starbucks, Kitson’s and the like. Though she seems to be out of work as a "singer" (/pop star), she still is delivering to her audiences entertainment-wise by her constant exposure in the media. Though seemingly too pre-occupied with failing to show up to her child custody hearings- and as documented heavily by aggressive paparazzi- her daily attention-acquiring rituals do not change and she just can’t seem to get out of the limelight. Or perhaps, this is exactly what she desires; what she has grown accustomed to: the constant attention and criticism, regardless of whether the interest is unwanted or offensive. Alberoni remarks that the “socialist press” victimizes stars more so than envies them, which has become true with every passing moment in Britney’s recent tabloid-ridden life. Nevertheless, how could we forget the tabloid whirlwind that was Paris Hilton during all her legal woes? Has her stay in prison completely been forgotten? What about the countless other celebrities with mugshots to their name? The brevity in which these headlines that accompanied the sort of celebrity mugshots that were made public just as quickly fade from our memory (fortunately for the stars). Phases come and go, as do celebrities, and star appeal. I must say that I agree with Dyer when he makes the distinction between the phenomenon of stardom and celebrity as a tendency that we make as a society, rather than an already full-fledged process. The term tendency perhaps connotes an evolution away from and an inclination to shun such celebrity consumption whereas a “fully worked-through process” is much more concrete and finite. Though it seems idealistic to hope that these intense incidents of celebrity obsession and curiosity (a la bloggers like Perez Hilton) are just a passing phase, I believe that the Star and our perception of them in society is still evolving.