On Celebrities and Role Models

In today's news: Another celebrity opinion on another celebrity life choice. (c) The Philippine Daily Inquirer

So much of what we discuss and consume on a daily basis is triggered by the decisions, failures, or relationships of celebrities.

Why?

Celebrity comes from the same root word as celebrated, and yet many celebrities live long enough to become the center of public disappointment, disapproval, and even disgust. Whether athlete, artist, or simply "anak ng mayaman," a celebrity constantly faces the possibility of mass scrutiny. "Hannah Montana" turned into the 2013 VMA's. Youtube sensation Justin Bieber amassed haters quickly upon rising to mainstream fame. The "fighting pride of the Philippines" eventually faced harsh criticism for his change in religion, questionable loyalty to his wife, and decision to run for public office.

Many of us have our own set of hated celebrities and beloved celebrities. For the hated ones, we share articles (or such animals as "open letters") that ask them to behave; for the beloved ones, we cannot stop speaking how perfect it would be to be (or date) them.

But why? Who are these people, that their lives would mean so much to us? Who are they that we would expect them to be role models for us and our children? Maybe--just maybe--we've confused celebrating their achievements with celebrating their lives, then feel distraught when the latter does not live up to the former.

Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" music video has sparked a parody bonanza online. (Taken from EOnline Website)

Maybe it's party, or even largely, the media's fault. We are constantly bombarded with news on the looks, lives, and lovers of celebrities.  It isn't Miley Cyrus' fault she's always on your screen even when she isn't singing. If no one found it worth their time to take and post photos of her, write about her, and criticize her, then we wouldn't even know what this one girl was doing with her life. There are a million girls grinding up and down random men in clubs across the world each night. Why do we single out Miley Cyrus? Because the media tells us she's important, she's supposed to have some moral backbone, she's supposed to be a good role model to your kids. But she's not. She's supposed to be a good pop artist and actress--nothing necessarily follows.

An old commercial by NBA legend Charles Barkley should speak some wisdom to us.

I am not a role model. I'm not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.
- Charles Barkley

May we remember that good actors are paid because they act well and look good on screen--not because they handle relationships well. May we always remember that famous athletes are famous because they play their sport well, and not because they make positive lifestyle choices. May we never forget that artists are looked up to for the quality of their art and not the quality of their morals.

Thus, let us think twice the next time we feel any disappointment or outrage over a lifestyle choice of a "celebrity." Let us not expect any more out of them than that for which they are famous or paid for. And if ever we do hear news of a famous person doing something good, let us commend them for their actions and choices. Maybe even celebrate it. But, leave it to the parents, the ate's and kuya's, the teachers, the mentors, the life partners, and the true friends--those whose lives are shared with us--to be examples and lessons of how to live life.