Sunday, 05 April 2009
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Are Americans Tougher On Celebrities?
It seems that a celebrity's personal life, and not just their talents and abilities, play a big part in how some Americans form their opinions. Take Michael Jackson for instance. We all know the accusations of sexual abuse and the strange lifestyle that he leads, which have caused him to be public enemy #1 here in the states. This may explain why he decided to have his final performances in the U.K.
Don't get me wrong. He has plenty of fans here still, myself included, but you just don't see the same hysteria that Michael gets when he goes overseas. Most Americans are more fascinated with Michael the freak than Michael the musician and entertainer.
Kobe Bryant is another perfect example. His cocky personality, rape accusation, and being the scapegoat for the Shaq/Kobe dynasty has made him one of the polarizing sports figure in America. He is very loved but at the same time very hated. In 2006, GQ placed Kobe at #5 on their list of the 10 Most Hated Athletes. It's easy to see that Lebron James is the most popular NBA player in America.
However, when the NBA players went to China for the Olympics last summer, the Chinese didn't shout their love, praise, and affection for Lebron. It was Kobe who received the rock star treatment. It was like Kobe's personal life had no bearing on how the Chinese viewed him.
Do you agree that Americans are tougher on their celebrities?
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- From: dannyb0y@xanga
- Name: Dan
- Location: California, United States
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Comments (21)
Well we look at their personal life in addition to their "public" life, even though when you're a celebrity here they're one in the same. So I suppose so
mos def.
but some celebrities deserve it nonetheless.
I'm not American so I won't speak for Americans...
However, judging from what I've seen, it can be the complete opposite. Lots of people will forgive celebrities for doing things that they wouldn't forgive non-famous people for doing.
I think so. I think that within the past 10 or so years the paps have become too intrusive. I mean I love seeing celebs out & about but I'm not fanatical & I'm a firm believer in privacy. Just because they act in the public eye doesnt mean they LIVE there. And sometimes it's too much. And chasing after their kids? Big no-no. That's why I dont buy gossip mags that live for catching people at their worst or private moments. I honestly think they take bad shots in purpose to make money. Like catching them with their mouths open eating or using bad angles & saying "oh look (insert name) has cellulite/gained40 pounds!!!".
@storiesandsinker@xanga - I agree. they tend to do that. What I notice also is that alot of people are ganging up on certain young hollywood people (I say like 30 & under) for making mistakes like DUIs or whatever but if it's someone who is more famous or been around longer, they overlook it. Take Miley for example. Everyone lives for her to make a mistake but Johnathan Rhys Meyers has been in rehab 3 times & you rarely hear about him. I'm not trying to say who's better or worse here but people do play favorites & EVERYONE is human, you know?
Yes. Every detail of a celebrities personal life is codified by the masses and reviewed over and over in the media.
"Breaking News: Madonna eats ice cream. Why chocolate!? Why not vanilla!? Does she HATE vanilla? Let's ask our specialist after these messages. And don't forget, Britney Spears caught eating...FOOD!!!....Tonight at 9!"
I don't think so. I think some Asian countries are more tough on celebrities.
Maybe. But I don't think it's just Americans. No country wants its celebrities to represent bad behavior and have the world know so.
Oh boy. I used to work on the set of One Tree Hill (tv show) and you wouldn't believe the atmosphere on such sets. It's tough. Everything is about appearances and implications. Cut stars some slack, friends!
London media hypes up on everything...but theres lots of fans of michael jackson...the media even hyped up Jade goodys death...yes..it is sad that she died..but she wasnt Princess Diana.
i dont really care about the personal lives..i care about what the celebrity is good for.
edison chan anyone?
i don't think its just americans
i think its people
they really go in on celebrities.
and they analyze their personal life.
they are always putting someone on a pedestal
and getting mad when they fall face down off of it.
just like with chris brown beating rihanna
everyone was mad saying how he wasn't a good role model.
but he never should've been put on that status.
besides, what he did in his personal time should not affect us.
people look at celebrities as if they should do what we don't do
and thats entirely unfair.
I think, were tougher on celebs. I think it's easy to see a genious talent in one area, and expect good in all areas. It's a mistake though, obviously. You can love a persons talent (and repect that), but when their private lives are so publicised, every one of them is bound to lose at some point as far as personal decisions. Even if they are great. Put a life under a magnifine glass- and there are flaws. Period. It's so easy to look at the dumb decision celebs make without us looking at our own lives and realizing the crasy stuff we do. It's kinda hypercitical, but I think a lot of people don't even realize the hypocacy is happening.
I think South Korea is way tougher on their celebrities. "Netizens" are a crazyass bunch, yet our paps are just as up your ass into a celebrities life.
if jacko had tourdates in the U.S., I'd still buy tickets despite it all. I'm not a hardcore fan of his, just a normal fan, but I'm curious to see whether or not I'd be so starstruck that I'd scream and faint when I saw him upclose. his dance moves look so effortless the way he pops & locks and slithers on the dancefloor as if he is a hybrid monkey/albino snake
I don't condone whatever he was accused of but michael's music will always be legendary. I think I can temporarily overlook the negative things when I go to his concert. I'm not a fan of kobe so I'm not going to compliment him. I think if you're a fan of certain celebs, then you're probably willing to forgive their flaws whether you're american or not.
Michael was a musician? i just thought he was famous because he was an alien that crashed here in the 80's...
@quotes3085@xanga - Agreed completely.
It seems people in America are more intrusive into celebrities' personal lives.
I think that Americans in general are tougher on our celebrities, which is a real shame.
good pts made :)
Maybe they're just more realistic in terms of HEY Michael Jackson = pedophile and Kobe Bryant = rapist, and hey, they're rich spoiled people?