Women Under the Microscope

   By drodriguez  Apr 11, 2007
19

We are all well aware of the ongoing sagas of celebrities like the late Anna Nicole Smith and the spiraling out of control Britney Spears. They are constantly followed by telephoto lenses and unmercifully held to the media’s highest standards of beauty.

Messages relayed through television and magazines are constantly telling these women that they are either too fat or too thin, or that they should wear their hair this way or that. When scrutinized on a daily basis it’s not hard to imagine a person becoming totally fixated on their appearance, losing self-esteem, becoming confused and depressed.

We are all guilty of ogling over celebrity magazines or making the occasional comment about a famous person’s weight loss/gain. After all, we are the reason the media follows these women around; we subscribe to the magazines and tune in to the shows.

Because the lives of Anna Nicole Smith and Britney Spears are made to sound more like a soap opera in print, it is easy for us to become obsessed with the plot and forget about the person. We must try and remember that they are real women: sisters, mothers, and friends.

With that said, do you think there should be harsher privacy laws protecting celebrities from the paparazzi?
Or is the media frenzy just something a celebrity should expect and learn how to deal with?

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Comments
salome by salome | Houston, TX
Feb 14, 2009

I think celebrities have a right to privacy given the circumstances. Even if them being celebrities infers being put on the spot all the time doesn't mean they have to bear that burden. Think about it, if an ordnary person gets photographed wherever he or her goes, then that person can technically file for stalking charges and receive restraining orders. But a celebrity can't do that because the person who is essentially performing the same stalking activity claims that he is not stalking.

K-Lo by K-Lo | Herndon, VA
Jun 20, 2007

I do feel for celebs sometimes, and there are many paparazzi who cross the line. However, the celebs certainly take advantage of the benefits that go with being famous, so they need to take the bad with the good.

katenotsogreat by katenotsogreat | browns mills, NJ
May 12, 2007

i feel that these celebrities knew what they were getting themselves into when they got into the buisness. i mean yeah people paparazzi shouldnt be following them under a thin microsope BUT these actors knew/should have known what they were getting themselves into! and yes with there million dollar paychecks also comes millions of problems!

gwenni by gwenni | media, PA
May 11, 2007

with million dollar paychecks come million dollar problems. their everyday life is just much more visible than ours. but if you want to play the game... hey they knew what they were getting into.

JaxxSaxx by JaxxSaxx | national park, NJ
May 10, 2007

I think some celebs ask for it, like Britney Spears she is just a littel cracked.and some just do'nt want to be botherdcaues ther tring to work and live life just like regular peolpe.but ther should be some kind of standerds set for the paparazzi

SATINANDSILK by SATINANDSILK | LAKEVIEW, NY
Apr 28, 2007

HEY I AM JUST HAPPY BRING ME, I WOULD NEVER WANNA BE A CELEB, AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE LIES AND GARBAGE LIFE..

erica_cal by erica_cal | Scotts Valley, CA
Apr 27, 2007

The standards for female beauty are too high, and the standards for female achievement are too low. Anna Nicole Smith had an 8th grade education, and little more on her resume than taking her clothes off for a men's magazine. Nonetheless, we care much more about her than any high achieving woman--where are our priorities?

Kamari by Kamari | Port Vue, PA
Apr 24, 2007

It's a double edged sword, I think. A celebrity knows the importance of remaining in the public eye, out of sight for too long and you're forgotten. You must make yourself visible but by making yourself visible you're making yourself a vulnerable and a target. I really think the fault lies not with the celebrity, but the paparazzi and the consumers who feed on every intimate detail of the celebrity's life. It's all about respect for your fellow human being and realizing that celebrities are people with troubles and triumphs in life, just like the rest of us. Everyone has the right to privacy, we don't own celebrities. Yes, there should be laws.

kaybee by kaybee | Albuquerque, NM
Apr 22, 2007

I think that all of us have our warts, our difficulties, our "out-of-control-ness" if you like. The difference is we are not being photographed or video taped at our worst. How can any of us feel good watching other peoples dirty laundry? I don't know what the answer is but tougher laws is a start.

sharman421 by sharman421 | TALLAHASSEE, FL
Apr 22, 2007

So sick of hearing about these out-of-control celebrities. Most fine artisits: actors and actresses, writers,musicians, etc. avoid the lime light and the paparazzi. They live their lives and practice their art. It's unfortunate that a few of them are so out there and unbalanced that they keep the celeb magazines in business. Should we protect these goof balls? Of course! Even those seeking attention need protection.

gather by gather | Vineland, NJ
Apr 15, 2007

I think this country focuses on too much celebrity. Most of us don't want or don't care what goes on in their lifes but it gets forced on us. It is pretty sad when someone who puts their life on the line everyday gets paid pennies and someone who plays a sport or is on tv or in movies gets paid millions. Who should be a role model? It should not be an athlete or a movie star. When Jerry Garcia died it was front page news, when Jonas Salk died there was hardly mention of it. WHO DID MORE FOR THE WORLD.

cvarano by cvarano | BROOKLYN, NY
Apr 13, 2007

We DO need to get a life.  Unfortunately, these TV shows like Access Hollywood seem to get high ratings because they've been on for so long and clones keep popping up.  So, maybe harsher laws would help.  No footage no news.  It would force us to get lives.

mrs_hambone by mrs_hambone | Bryan, TX
Apr 13, 2007

It just seems to be the way the world works.  When someone, or anyone really, is in the spot light suddenly everyone wants to know all the details.  Look at how many reality shows are on tv now, people want to be in other people's business.  Honestly I do find some of the stuff entertaining, but if it wasn't there I wouldn't miss it.  I think it needs to go both ways, the stars need to have the class and wisdom to not get themselves into trouble... and we as viewers need to get more hobbies!  Stop watching shows like ET and go outside! lol, I know I need to more!

kcfreen by kcfreen | New York, NY
Apr 13, 2007

We should all get a life so that harsher laws won't be necessary. In the meantime, harsher laws.

rdcurt1 by rdcurt1 | Yuba City, CA
Apr 13, 2007

Can you imagine a world with no entertainment. Entertainers have chosen a profession and while some may crave the spotlight, just as many do what they love and should be allowed to be the neighbor next door.

Why do we have the right to be involved in every aspect of their lives, simply because they choose to become a part of our entertainment? I commend Tom and Katie Cruise for shielding their newborn child from the media, and think it is sad that because of their decision, such cruel things were said.

I have a few favorite entertainers, and any one of them could walk past me on the street, and they would get no more than my normal everyday folks greeting.