Parasocial Parasites and Modern Celebrities

It’s Tuesday night again and we are all amped to tune into our favorite reality TV show where we finally get to see if our favorite infamous celebrity’s life is going to change for the better. Let me be clear from the start, I detest these types of shows. Mostly because the plot for every episode is essentially the same. There is a problem with one of the people on the show, and then, by the end of the hour, they have solved their problem through some means. In reality, the “problem” was a plot point to make you care more about the person. However, there is another reason I don’t like these programs: the disillusion of what celebrities are. In the olden days of Hollywood and entertainment media, celebrities were on another level. They were idols that we cherished and made sure to appreciate by consuming their television shows, movies, books, etc. We knew they worked hard to get where they were and the only way we could enter their world was to put in as much work as they did. We also knew they were not just approachable like our local friends. We admired them on television and if we ever got the chance to meet them, we were nervous we would upset them. We also loved to read the tabloids on them, but knew that ultimately their private lives were their own. The reality stars of the modern era, destroyed all of this. First, we do not see them as idols or “greater-thans.” In fact, it often appears as though there is little work done and they become famous. “Watch me put on my make-up, I am going to the grocery store.” A camera follows them and, boom, they are famous. What stops us from doing the same. Second, we feel really comfortable approaching them. We are not nervous, because we know everything about them and they seem like normal people day-to-day. We are even shocked when they are angry because they cannot get any peace. Third, and probably the most important issue, the parasocial relationships we develop with these “celebrities.” They have no personal lives. A camera follows them 24/7 so any tabloids are just telling us what they have already made into an episode of their show. This is where the newsflash comes for most people. Just because we do know a lot about these celebrities, does not mean they are our friends. In fact, most of them would not like us, if they really got to know us. We become parasocial parasites, because we feel like we know them personally and therefore, we should know everything about them, not just what they put out into the world. We should know who they are married to, if they are pregnant, when they showered last, etc. This is inherently wrong. Just like a normal person needs their privacy, these “celebrities,” no matter how famous, should not have to share every waking minute of their lives, even if this is what made them famous to begin with. But that is just one man’s opinion. Thanks for listening to me ramble. I appreciate it. See you next time.