Note: I do love writing blogs, but I hate writing essays.
Unfortunately the latter needs more me right now.
I have a certain disdain of celebrity culture, or more the
way celebrity culture affects people’s view of their talent.
As an avid Angelina Jolie fan, I am always annoyed when
people disregard her because they have a preconceived idea of her from the “Brangelina”
love triangle that may or may not have ended Brad Pitt’s marriage to Jennifer
Aniston back in 2005. Quite frankly, if there was an affair; I couldn’t care
less. And if there wasn’t an affair; I couldn’t care less. What I care about is
that, because she now has a public image as a vixen (she does have quite a
sexual image), or a home wrecker, she has been disregarded in the public eye
for her work. Now, I also chalk this down to her more mainstream roles (such as
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, or Wanted) because, even as a fan I have no problem
saying; they are quite trashy. But for all the bad films she has made, there
are a large number of truly amazing roles in Angelina’s back catalogue that
prove she is a phenomenal actress. Case in point: “Gia”, “Girl, Interrupted”, “A
Mighty Heart” and “Changeling”. People tend to ignore these roles, or dismiss
Angelina Jolie as an actress because of a simple rumour that, quite frankly,
has nothing at all to do with them.
Top left: "Gia" Top right: "Girl, Interrupted" Bottom left: "Changeling" Bottom right: "A Mighty Heart"
On the opposite end of the scale is Rihanna (I’m sorry, Jack. If you are reading, and I doubt you are,
please close the window now). Now, whilst I’m one of these people that hate
singers that can’t/don’t sing live, rely on the heavy use of autotune, portray
an explicitly sexual image and don’t write their own music, Rihanna has some
damn catchy songs. But I truly believe that without Rihanna’s tumultuous
private life with Chris Brown and the, um, I’ll say ‘incident’, and her other
romantic conquests; I don’t think she’d still be in the public eye. Her music
isn’t anything special, or ground breaking, and if her music is what is getting
us talking, it’s usually for all the wrong reasons. Instead it’s her constant
public presence that keeps her as a household name. Without it, I definitely
feel she would not have the superstar status she does have today.
Another instance in which I feel someone’s fame has out-shadowed
their talent is Justin Bieber. Now, whilst it is no secret that I’m no ‘Belieber’
by far, I also appreciate he is an incredible talent. I’ve seen some excellent
performances of his, and he has truly proven himself as an artist (I’m unsure
if he writes his own music, and quite frankly I can’t be bothered researching
it). What I feel is his downfall, is his fans. If you want to put me off
anyone, show me a bunch of screaming 12 year old girls crying because a
celebrity winked at them. Or even worse, sending death threats to his
girlfriend?!?! It’s things like this which sadly, turn people away from an
artist.
And I will say, it’s not something I exempt myself from by
any means.
