The Distance Between Celebrity Narrative and Ordinary Life
As amplified by the pandemic.
J’Nae Writes is a free weekly newsletter. If you like this newsletter and want to show your support, please consider buying me a digital cup of coffee. Thank you!
Whilst the majority of the world is in a state of crisis, the small section of society we know as celebrities seem oblivious to the perilous state we are truly in. With their public service announcements filmed on their iPhones, they project themselves into our homes reminding us that “we’re all in this together” and to “stay positive”. These can-do attitudes are all well and good, they’re reinforcing exactly what we should be doing to stay safe right now and to protect others as well as ourselves, but they air on the side of being tone deaf - especially as they contrast to a lot of our favourite stars' very own actions.
Coronavirus has disrupted the relationship between ordinary citizens and our famous friends, they’re treated with contempt and frustration as their lives seem relatively unaffected whilst the general public suffers. The culture of celebrity is being dismantled, so it’s no wonder they’re going into panic mode. Is the age of the celebrity over?
We, the general public, usually enjoy an A-listers social media antics, scandalising celebrities to our own pleasure and satisfaction. But these are far from normal times, and whilst the world is in crisis, I’m finding some of our most beloved celebs antics anything but comical. In October of last year, Kim Kardashian flooded the internet with photos of beach banquets and a lavish private island set-up in celebration of her 40th birthday, with all of her family in tow as well as the usual comrades. This particular voyage couldn’t have been more untimely and insensitive. At that point around 220,000 Americans had died from the coronavirus and over 10 million were suddenly unemployed, the numbers today I’m sure will have risen. Flaunting one's escape from the pandemic solidifies that the rich and famous can buy their way out of it. They’re untouchable, nothing like us. As much as they preach they get what we’re going through and can relate, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Amongst other triggering celeb news; Pharrell Williams asked his followers to donate money to frontline responders, Ryan Reynolds urged his fans to stay at home whilst sheltering in his mansion, Ellen DeGeneres compared her own multi-million dollar mansion to a jail, and Gal Gadot’s disastrous Imagine video were just a few ways in which these stars’ excessive wealth was a giant slap in the face. Under normal circumstances celebrities receive applause for using their platforms for the greater good, they love virtual thumbs-up and revel in the likes we shower them with.
But how could we really be “in this together” if more of us than ever are using food banks and are edging closer to the poverty line, whilst they live in a lap of luxury and seem relatively unaffected by the pandemic? In 2020 celebs triggered more outrage and disgust than fascination, not all of them may make it through the COVID era.
We’re living in an age where we not only idolise celebrities for their achievements or stardom, we idolise them for their accumulated riches. We itch for insights into their vast car collections, their cagey plastic surgeries, extravagant birthday parties, and properties they own in countries they never even visit. Famous folk offer us extensive access into their way of life, they seek our constant attention - it’s what gives them the privileged lifestyles they lead after all. So even when they’re publicly shamed, they still manage to pull at our heartstrings. In a time where celebrities have captive audiences of millions glued to devices because we have nowhere else to go and nothing else to do, they’re attempting to stay relevant by any means necessary.
In a revelatory year full of highs and lows the pandemic has exposed the contradictory character of celebrity culture. One of the biggest ironies of the current moment is that even though we feel less like celebrities than ever, they’re starting to feel more like us. Whilst celebrity culture may not be over, it’s certainly changing. And I think it's changing for the better. If the rich and famous want to survive this cultural shift, then they’re going to have to get with the times and adapt - or be at risk of tanking. In the end the fans will always have the power to decide who gets to stay rich and famous, and who doesn’t. There's a definite appeal to that.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter to see more of what I’m up to, and I’ll see you same time same place next week!
Catch you soon,
J’Nae
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING:
- Intimations by Zadie Smith is a collection of six essays the author wrote in response to the crisis that halted the world in 2020. Intimate, tender, and insightful, a great short read in response to extraordinary times.
WHAT I’VE BEEN WATCHING:
- Athlete A was a shocking documentary I watched on Netflix about the insidious past (and current state) of the gymnastics industry in America. TW: contains themes of sexual assault against minors.
WHAT I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO:
- I'm intrigued by the online reckoning of Bon Appétit. And even though I haven’t listened to it yet, this episode of the reply-all podcast delves into how the title imploded seemingly overnight.
WHAT’S CAUGHT MY EYE:
- @blkcreatives is an Instagram account dedicated to uplifting Black creatives and giving them a voice, a platform on which to show their talents and work.
ON MY BLOG:
- Trench coats are my thing. I love autumn/winter fashion and transseasonal dressing, and my latest blog post is devoted to one of my favourite winter items, my beloved trench coat.
You're reading J’Nae Writes a newsletter created by yours truly J’Nae Phillips. To get the latest editions delivered straight to your inbox, make sure you subscribe here.