Mesmerizing like a kaleidoscope, celebrities capture our attention as we twist the dial, endlessly marveling at every angle of their life. We dedicate our time, energy, and money to these ever-shifting figures. We willingly situate ourselves into parasocial relationships with them, unbothered by the unnatural complacency. Is there any value to gain, or are we blindly stuck in one-sided admiration?
Don’t be fooled — celebrities aren’t the picturesque and glimmering mosaic you see through the lens of a kaleidoscope. They are fallible human beings. Using the lives of celebrities as a reference to “perfect” your own only results in feelings of dissatisfaction when you inevitably fall short.
From body dysmorphia to the endorsement of detrimental financial decisions, celebrities have contributed to many societal issues. The Kardashian family, for instance, has created harmful beauty standards and misled people into investing in a deceptive crypto token. Yet, earnestly chanting in the shadows of a public figure will make you tune out valid criticisms of their behavior and opinions.
Relying on celebrities as a roadmap for success is equally problematic. While their stardom is encapsulated in the beautiful view of a kaleidoscope, we can’t see the shifting pieces inside — much like how we cannot visualize the steps and decisions that built their careers. Success relies on many factors, including unpredictable chance, which makes replicating it nearly impossible.
A healthier way to celebrate celebrities would be to focus on their achievements or great qualities — traits they persistently exemplify as we rotate the kaleidoscopic panorama of their public image. By doing so, we can find inspiration in their success and use it to fuel our own goals. However, celebrities don’t have to be your only source of motivation. Connecting with people in your community is a great alternative. Unlike those distant public personalities, these people are human beings you can interact and build real connections with.
Idolizing celebrities is a significant problem, but I’m not advocating for the extreme contrary of celebrity toxicity and cancel culture. When we see celebrities as nothing more than someone who deserves to be scrutinized and eradicated for tiny mistakes, we often forget they’re human too. Chappell Roan demanding basic respect by shouting at a photographer at the VMAs is a perfect example: just because she’s on the red carpet doesn’t mean she’s forfeited her right to set boundaries.
To realize the right amount of celebrity worship suitable for you, it’s helpful to put down the kaleidoscope every once in a while and reconnect with the world around you. And who knows? Noticing and loving the glamorous imperfections and mundane moments in your life could be more fulfilling than watching someone else’s story unfold.
