Twenty-Something Year Old Journalist

Stardom is certainly a double edged sword. On one hand, you have millions of people inspired by and in love with you. On the other hand, the exact same thing. It’s a tough toss up. 

The debate is always around whether celebrities owe us anything. In their defense, all they did was be good enough at something people wanted to see (or they were a nepo baby, hot, a man, shot a sex tape, or hunting for their fifteen minutes). Why should they owe us anything for simply having such talent?

Good point. It sucks to be so talented and famous, doesn’t it? 

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Every time I try to write about pop culture and famous people, I fail. I fail to keep an objective(ish) approach to the topic and instead get pulled into a vicious hole of rage—a vicious hole of rage that makes me want to incite a class war. 

Why haven’t they used their voices, their immense presence to actually say something people will listen to? No, it’s not celebrities’ jobs to be the voice of reason and I’m sure it’s not exactly what they signed up for. But having an authoritarian in office and a crumbling world order isn’t exactly what a lot of us signed up for, either. 

No, we shouldn’t have to rely on celebrities to make a statement or share their stances on topics seemingly unrelated to their field. But this is the price you pay for stardom, and society needs to start cashing in on their check. 

It needs to become normalized for celebrities to speak out about important issues. Issues that maybe people will only pay attention to if they are the ones saying anything. If it takes Taylor Swift posting about registering to vote for people to actually register to vote, then so be it. 

I’m sick of the Sydney Sweenys of the world being accused of making an ad flirting with eugenics then failing to condemn white supremacy when served on a silver platter. I’m sick of the Tate McRaes that refuse to answer such easily queued-up questions of their views. Tate, if you think “[…] it’s pretty obvious what kind of person [you] are,” but refuse to actively denounce the MAGA-supporting suspicions, then it’s probably not that obvious. 

Maybe they feel that making a statement would rock the boat. I’m so sorry to break it to you, but there is currently no more boat to rock. We are all in the ocean, drowning a slow and painful death. 

See! The nihilism just effortlessly flows out of me upon any discussion of pop culture these days.

It’s more than ever that we need mainstream artists denouncing the evils of the world. We need them to show any semblance of standing up against what Trump has allowed to happen.  

I can understand their fear. Speaking out against a president who has made his feelings about free speech very clear is, historically, not the easiest thing to agree to. Which is exactly why it needs to be done. 

Donald Trump doesn’t care about us no-good-no-do-nothing-no-kings-protesters. Everyday people are fighting against a world that doesn’t see any value to them past a dollar sign. Celebrities are the ones that can get the attention of lawmakers and might actually have the power to enact real change. (God, help us all)

I hate to play this card, but aren’t we the ones responsible for celebrities’ success and capital? Shouldn’t it be in their best interests to at least try to prevent a world where only Kid Rock can perform? 

Yes, I see the pride flags you proudly wave at concerts, I (barely) see the pins you wear on red carpets. I often swipe past the infographics you post on your Instagram story. But it’s not enough. 

And here’s where the thinking gets really French Revolution-ry. 

I think they know it’s not enough and just don’t care. In some ways, you can’t blame them. They don’t have to live in the world we do down here—they have money and access; we have taxes and inflation and AI data centers. 

In times like these there’s no middle ground. Staying silent only perpetuates the current evils of the world. 

I love following along with pop culture and gossip sites and staying up-to-date with the happenings of celebrity life. 

But now I feel different about it. I feel let down that those I’ve devoted time, money, and attention to are content with our rights and freedoms being stripped away from us—doing nothing, so long as it doesn’t touch their world. 

We are entering a place where it is truly us versus them. Celebrities have all the power to make it clear whose side they are on and fight for what they stand for. Unfortunately for us common folk, a dollar in their pocket seems to be more important than the wellbeing of society. 

It’s hard to give up my favorite pastime of keeping up with celebrities’ lives, but by continuing to listen to their music, buy their products, and like their posts, we’re showing them that their silence is okay, that their non-stance is acceptable. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but celebrities don’t care about us, only what’s in our pockets. 

As soon as we collectively realize this and understand that it’s actually we, the people, that hold the power, the sooner these celebrities will start speaking out for what is right or risk getting left behind. 

And I say all that objectively.