Is Being a Celebrity Even Respectable Anymore? (movies, actors, American Idol)

[Trimac20]

Once upon a time, celebs got famous because they were good at something: they were great actors, they were decent actors and uncommonly beautiful, they were great athletes, they made a big contribution to mankind...you get the picture...

Well I don't need to explain to you how that's all gone down the gurgler...now you can be famous for literally nothing at all, or being related to someone filthy rich, or even making a sex tape on the internet. Celebs seem to be churned up every minute: every new winner of some reality show is a minor celebrity, and the list of so-called 'stars' is growing...

It seems that a lot of celebs are nothing but tabloid fodder...they are only in the news for scandal...in fact, perhaps celebrities are in a roundabout way setting a good example for kids of what NOT to be, of someone you don't want to look up to...I think few respectable/mature people even look to most pop culture celebrities as role models to look up to, with a few exceptions.

So in my opinion most celebrities are not respected and being famous is no longer seen as respectable. Sure, you'll have starry-eyed parasites wanting to associate with you because you're famous (which is so vapid and ego-driven), but it's so superficial and meaningless. Nobody really actually cares what happens to Lindsay Lohan. I just think celebrity is becoming a less and less respectable thing.

[VLWH]

So true.

[ja1myn]

Quite true. Celebrities of the past were amazing people, but today it seems like society is just favoring crack head whores.

[brightdoglover]

I don't consider someone who is known for being on a realty show to be a celebrity, although I know they are considered to be by some people. I, too, want to see somebody who can do something worth watching/listening to/etc., and they become famous because of that talent.

"Reality TV stars" is a very oxy moron. If I want to see people act like trash, I'll go to work and get paid for it.

[LindavG]

It depends on whether someone is famous for their talents or not. Celebrities like Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman and Adele are generally respected for their talents even by people who are not personally fan of their movies or music. It is different for those whom people feel are undeserving of their fame, like Reality TV personalities.

[turkeytrot]

One gains respect when it's earned not because of what they do for a living.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

crack head whores.

I agree with OP and nothing more to add really but I heard someone say "crack head whores" and I just had to come in and take a peek!

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Since the only bad publicity is no publicity, why should an aspiring "celebrity" be "respectable"?

[springfieldva]

There are still some celebs out there who won their stardom through talent. Some of the American Idol contestants come to mind - like Carrie Underwood. Or self starters - like Taylor Swift who writes and sings her own original songs. Katy Perry, too, not necessarily for her singing ability but more for her farcical wit and her ability to connect with her audience through her music. I do respect the work of people like that.

People who maintain their notoriety, uh fame, by engaging in drunken, pill popping, rants - no.

[vitalaeon]

There is very little true talent anymore it seems. "Celebrities" are manufactured, not found. Either you are extremely beautiful, borne of someone famous, made a sex tape (or have some other less than scrupulous beginnings), are a socialite or starred in a "reality" show.