Walking down the street, you might come across a group of teens, some giggling, some talking, some texting on their phones. Suddenly, one of them spots a celebrity and yells out “Hey, that’s Robert Pattinson!” Before the rest of the group can register what’s happened, the first teen has already dashed over and shaken hands with the actor. He might then ask the famous star how much money he makes, or if he’s signed with a famous talent agency. Naturally, the celebrity would have no idea who this person is and would probably just think he’s a fan.
If you’ve been paying attention to celebrity news in the past month, you might think that the world has gone mad. On one hand, you’ve got the beautiful and successful Victoria’s Secret angel, Victoria Beckham, introducing a new line of fashionable swimsuits. On the other, you’ve got the much-publicized and often-times troubled Robbie Williams battling with his record label over releasing an upcoming album. In between, you’ve got the bizarre and sad saga of J.K. Rowling’s failed experiment with a Harry Potter spinoff. It’s enough to make you believe that the world has gone mad, especially since so many of these stories revolve around money and fame. But, has it really?
What you may not realize is that these kinds of stories are par for the course in Hollywood. It’s not like this is a unique phenomenon. This year has seen some of the biggest, most public feuds in the history of the industry. From Jennifer Lopez and Kylie Jenner to Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian, the world of celebrity has seen its fair share of drama.
And the list goes on… It also doesn’t help that so many famous faces are out of work these days. Whether it’s the rise of the ‘gig economy’ or the changing face of social media, the demand for famous faces has declined. As a result, famous people are feeling the pinch, and they’re taking their frustration out on those closest to them. In the words of one famous makeup artist, “The #metoo movement has opened the floodgates for mean girls, and we’re standing in the pool, soaking wet. Nobody wants to be famous anymore — not even celebrities.”
The Demand For Celebrities Is On The Decline
In the past, people would flock to the town square to catch a glimpse of the latest celebrity. Now, with so much content available online, people are more likely to stumble across a famous person’s face in an unexpected place. Take a quick glance at any trending hashtag on TikTok and you’ll soon see that the world’s biggest social media platform is filled with celebrity photos. Celebrities have always made the best subject for social media platforms, and with the increasing popularity of TikTok, this is no exception. In fact, if you happen to be born in the early 2000s, you’ll find yourself surrounded by celebrities. Whether you like it or not.
The demand for celebrities is on the decline; however, this doesn’t mean that people aren’t interested in them. After all, it’s not easy being a celebrity. You have to worry about everything from security to image. If you’re not willing to put in the work, it’s easy for others to take advantage of you. As a result, there are plenty of stories out there about famous people falling victim to fraudsters. From Lance Armstrong to Madonna, people will do whatever it takes to remain anonymous while enjoying the life of a celebrity.
But, let’s be honest, that’s not the kind of lifestyle that everybody wants to be a part of. Those who do want to be famous are usually those who are already famous for something else. For example, there’s a reason why Jennifer Lopez is the most followed person on TikTok with 263 million followers. She’s not only one of the most famous Latinas in the world, she’s also a genius when it comes to branding and marketing. If you’ve ever seen a J.Lo perfume ad or a brand-sponsored Lopez Family Christmas card, you already know a bit about the brand’s connection to the singer. In 2019 alone, Forbes estimated the singer’s annual earnings at $180 million. So it’s not like she needs extra cash. She already has plenty.
The Rise Of The ‘Gig Economy’
The rise of the ‘gig economy’ means that more people are getting by on their own merits instead of being paid handsomely for their celebrity. On one hand, this is a great thing: more people are being given a chance to succeed in life. On the other, it can be devastating to those who depend on their celebrity for financial security. In today’s society, the lines that separate ‘celebrity’ and ‘ordinary’ people are becoming more blurred. Those who are famous for being famous are finding it harder to maintain their lifestyles. Especially since so many people are dashing off to the ‘gig economy’.
If you take a look at the history of celebrity, you’ll see that it’s always been closely tied to the economic downturn. Between the Great Depression and the more recent 2008 economic crash, many famous faces lost a lot of their income. It’s not that people forgot about them, it’s just that they were no longer able to rely on their celebrity to provide them with financial security. When the economy turns, so does the demand for celebrities. In times like these, famous people can get a temporary pass as their audience turns off and focuses on their own lives. But sooner or later, the money stops flowing and everyone has to go back to their old ways.
Robbie Williams Despises ‘Celebrity Culture’
Speaking of which, what do you think about Robbie Williams? I’ll give you a moment to think about that… OK, you may now open your mouth. In case you were tempted to keep it closed for the entire duration, let me remind you that this is a celebrity blog. So it would be in your best interest to keep your mouth open. Otherwise, you may end up eating bugs (as some have done in the past) because they didn’t feel that they could speak freely about a celebrity. Or, you could end up talking about the issue itself and incriminate yourself. So, open wide!
Back to matter at hand: Robbie Williams is one of the best-known and best-loved British musicians of all time. He’s sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and has sold out venues as big as Madison Square Garden. So, needless to say, he’s not afraid of stepping on the stage. As a result, he can usually be relied on to offer an honest opinion on just about anything. Especially concerning topics related to celebrity. Or, at least, those who are still celebrities. Which is pretty much everybody. Just about.
In March of this year, Williams took to Twitter to voice his discontent with the state of celebrity in the modern world. “I detest celebrity culture. It’s toxic,” he tweeted. “The world doesn’t need any more faces or figures. We’re not items to be bought and sold.”
He went on to say that he doesn’t condone the actions of those who rely on their celebrity for support and that he doesn’t want to be a part of the problem. “To those who don’t want to be a part of our generation’s greed & vanity – you’re not alone, but you’ll never understand us. We’re changing the world,” he tweeted. “Not because we want to, but because we have to. If we don’t, then mankind will cease to exist.”
Naturally, this came as a bit of a shock to those who thought that perhaps they knew Williams. After all, he’s been an advocate for the underdogs all his career. It was also surprising to see a musician have something to say about this issue. Especially considering how ubiquitous music and celebrity intersect these days. In 2019 alone, there were more than 30 celebrity-backed music festivals around the world.