Celebrity Idols

Our society’s fascination with celebrities has developed into an obsession. Celebrity icons now take on religious roles with mass devoted followers. Maniura notes that “in contemporary culture “icon” is used almost interchangeably with “idol,” a term that implies an excessive degree of devotion.” But to what extent are these terms interchangeable? Is the obsession with celebrities enough to elevate them from icons to idols? Ultimately, the belief and devotion toward certain celebrities gives these individuals power.

But why are individuals in our society so fixed on celebrating other people instead of themselves and their own accomplishments? We worship other people in transcendent desire to escape our mundane lives, and ultimately ourselves. Idols, specifically celebrities, serve as a mirror into another world. Through our obsessive followings we are able to connect to a world that is radically different than our own without exerting any effort. Celebrity worship allows us to celebrate great actors or incredible athletes without needing our own talent or skill. Although we like following a different world, we also find comfort when the celebrity world resembles our own.

Seeing the humanity of celebrities allows us to further invest ourselves in our devotion to them. We want to be guided by individuals that are more successful or talented than ourselves, but ultimately, we want their accomplishments to seem feasible and attainable. 

Jay-Z takes the Subway: Celebrity icons and their 'likeness'

“The hysteria surrounding Rudolph Valentino’s funeral is one of the earliest cases in which the religious power of entertaining celebrities transformed them into serious deities and will shed some light on the strange cultural brew mixing the sacred and profane.”

Gary Laderman, Sacred Matters, pg. 65

This video gets at the idea made in Gary Laderman’s Sacred Matters about popular culture figures operating like religious dieties, and society’s desire to find ‘likeness’ in their favorite celebrities. Firstly, the hysteria surrounding Jay-Z’s subway ride is similar to that of a crowd forming to see a religious figure, relic, or icon. Why does Jay-Z garner adoration similar to that of religious figures? In a culture that is driven by film, television, media, and music, the people that provide these forms of entertainment achieve an elevated status. Additionally, Jay-Z holds a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers. Being from the Marcy projects in Booklyn, and going on to be a world famous rapper and partial owner of the Brooklyn Nets is a true rags to riches story. This past makes him an inspiration to the citizen of Brooklyn, someone to aspire to be like. Religious figures often serve the same purpose. People wear bracelets that say, “What would Jesus do?” and although this is a more extreme case than that of Jay-Z, both figures act as examples to the thousands of people who look up to them.

Secondly, this video demonstrates people’s desire to find likeness in celebrities. Jay-Z takes the subway just like any other person would. This act brings him down from his elevated status, showing his humanity, and further gaining respect and adoration from the general public. Even if a person was not on the subway that afternoon, they see his act and feel a more personal and intimate connection to a world famous celebrity.