Famous for Being Famous

According to the dictionary, famous means having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature, or being first-rate or excellent. But what does it mean to be famous for being famous?

Urban dictionary tells us that it means fame that feeds off of itself rather than off of any talent or merit. Some of today's celebrities fit into this category.

Kim Kardashian and her sisters are famous for their reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Their late father, Robert Kardashian, became a well-known figure because he was a key lawyer in the O.J. Simpson case. But none of the Kardashian girls had anything to do with that. Instead, they were thrust into fame simply by association. Kim dated the already established star Nick Lachey (of boy band 98 Degrees), had a famous (deceased) father and a famous step-father (Bruce Jenner). The icing on the cake was the family's huge net worth and the girls' visual appeal. 

The story is similar with many other "stars." Kelly Osbourne has her role on E!'s Fashion Police, but would she have gotten there if her father wasn't Ozzy Osbourne? Kevin Ferderline was an unknown backup dancer until he married Britney Spears and fathered her two children. Though he has been quiet lately, he did appear on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club and was in multiple commercials.

So why are we, as a society, so obsessed with these so-called celebrities? One important denominator is physical appearance. Osbourne and Federline have both battled weight issues, but now look  like a "typical" celebrity. Kim Kardashian is known for her ample backside and leaked sex tape, and three of the Kardashian sisters have been in many advertisements using their "beauty" to sell products. But why do we care? None of these stars have proven themselves to be stellar actors or singers, nor do they really hold any talent at all.

Yet somehow they still seem to influence the public. If we really did not care about the Kardashians and their never ending amounts of drama, their show would have been cancelled long ago. Instead, there have been a handful of spin-offs, specials, and a new season. They've even put out their own clothing line and nail polish. 

Have we, as a society, lowered our standards? Celebrities used to have a title that went with them. Tom Hanks is an actor, Elton John is a musician. Now it seems that anyone who is pretty enough or rich enough can become a household name. Celebrities are a huge part of our society. They are all over advertisements and marketing campaigns trying to get us to watch or buy something. Almost every magazine shelf shows covers of who is "hot " in the industry right now, or who is facing a huge controversy or crisis. It doesn't matter if celebs are doing good deeds or bad acts; we just want to know what they're doing.

As long as social fascination with the young, beautiful and rich exists, more and more of these "famous for being famous" celebrities will rise. These people are displayed in the media and can create unrealistic beauty goals. Yet, the public continues to watch and want more. Tell us what you think about these celebs. Do you think you are being influenced by celebrities, particularly the ones who are famous for being famous?


 ~ Mallory Buohl, Elliot Lopez, Quatima Spearman, Aaron Spece

Posted in: Celebrities, Commericals, Media