I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of fame. I love documentaries that go behind-the-scenes of a TV show, a film, a music video or someone in the spotlight’s life.
When I was younger, I would re-enact my favorite scenes or rewrite episodes to my favorite shows, turn my bunk bed into a “tour bus” and was constantly putting on concerts to LeAnn Rimes and Britney Spears. On Sunday nights, when my parents and I would go to our family friends’ house, my friend and I would tape the lyrics of songs to her mini blinds and practice choreography for hours before giving the final performance before my parents told me it was time to go home.
When I discovered drama and acting at 10-years-old, I was determined to become a Disney Channel star or try out for American Idol. I entered every talent show, every play, went to drama on Wednesday nights at church, I became a puppeteer (yes, that was a thing). In jr. hi, I was on the worship team. In high school, I did the talent shows, the worship team, the spring musicals and all the things in between that I could. I saw my “heroes” like Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff, Britney Spears and all these other teen idols I’d grown up with and wanted all of that. Everyone knew their name and cared about what they were doing, what they had to say.
I had dreams of standing on the stage and accepting the Best Actress Award at the Oscars or confetti falling as they announced my name for the American Idol finale.
I think, as a society, we’ve been enamored with fame, for quite some time. We all want to be seen and known…But, at what cost?
Late nights at the Chateau Marmont after an award show.
Paparazzi following you down the street as cameras flash, waiting to see what your next move will be, as you slide into the car awaiting to take you to your next destination.
Fans and photographers alike screaming your name, just hoping that you’ll glance in their direction on the red carpets.
A stint at rehab because you’ve fallen into the ways of addiction and partying.
Countless headlines and clickbait articles with a timeline of your career, your love life and why you’re no longer the ‘It Guy’ or ‘It Gal.’
A trip to the Brentwood Country Mart to pick up last minute things for that dinner party you’re throwing for friends and everyone wants to see which brands you’re purchasing.
An Instagram shot of the LA skyline from your view at home in the Hollywood Hills.
These are just a few of the snapshots of fame that we, as a society, have become familiar with. We are a culture that is obsessed with celebrity and fame. We’ve always been this way.
Think back to the days of Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland.
As many of our favorite songs and movies break down for us, we build up the monument of celebrity in a person, just to break them into pieces and watch as they try to rebuild their lives.
We’ve followed the stories of the ladies in the 2000s, like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan as they stumbled out of the clubs and into the same car, wearing sunglasses to cover the dark circles and tired eyes, or shielding from the flashes of the paparazzi’s captures.
Now with the rise of TikTokkers, YouTubers and other Instagram influencers, we’ve entered a new era of what it means to be famous, carry the title of celebrity and have an influential voice that people listen to and want to know more about.
What is fame?
Fame is the state of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements.
They say there are four stages of fame: Loving/hating fame, addiction, acceptance and adaptation (positive and negative).
And it’s a vicious cycle. It’s not for everyone. These stories have proven that to us.
Very few are able to have normal lives and get out unscathed. That’s the harsh reality.
Romanticizing the fallen star
Why do we glamorize or romanticize the fallen star?
Yes, we mourn them. Think of tragic outcomes like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, Matthew Perry and so many others.
We see the stories and narratives of the ones who have lost themselves to their celebrity identity. They’ve chased money, power, recognition, addiction, love…Hoping to find themselves. Hoping to find something more. Only to end in tragedy, most likely not having found the peace they so desperately craved.
We’ve seen it depicted time and time again in films, books, television. Inception of art within art, pulling the curtain back on what really happens behind-the-scenes.
However, maybe we should start seeing it more as a warning signal than a glamorization of this outcome
So, here’s a curriculum of studying the star mentality - The glitz and glamour, as well as the dark parts. The themes of wanting to feel accepted, they want a place to belong. And sometimes in doing that, they pay a price in an amount they can’t get back. Not in cash or emotionally.
Playlist
Books
Behind-the-Scenes style/Memoir/Biography{non-fiction}
Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham
I’m Glad My Mother Died by Jennette McCurdy
The Office BFFs by Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer
The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer
The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series by Jessica Radloff
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe
Love Life by Rob Lowe
Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty by Diane Keaton
The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan
Unqualified by Anna Faris
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns) by Mindy Kaling
Whiskey in a Cup by Reese Witherspoon
Find Your Path by Carrie Underwood
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Yes, Please by Amy Poehler
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Storyline: Finding Gold in Your Life by Jen Grisanti
The Sitcom Career Book by Mary Lou Belli & Phil Ramuna
The Gilmore Girls Companion by A.S. Berman
Inside Bridgerton by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields
Fiction
The Reunion by Kayla Olson
Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Secrets of My Hollywood Life (Series) by Jen Calonita
Teen Idol by Meg Cabot
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet
When in Rome by Sarah Adams
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Right on Cue by Falon Ballard
The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan by Beth Merlin and Daniella Modafferi
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder
Shows
Drama/Comedy
Nashville
Daisy Jones & The Six
Girls5Eva
30 Rock
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Morning Show
Reality
Claim to Fame (ABC)
American Idol (ABC)
The Kardashians (Hulu)
Masterclass: Shonda Rhimes Teaches Television
The Voice
America’s Next Top Model
Selling Sunset
Dancing with the Stars
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Movies & Specials
A Star is Born (all versions, but especially the one with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga)
Walk the Line
Country Strong
Pure Country
La La Land
Freakier Friday
Jennifer Lopez’s Halftime
Miss Americana Documentary
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (concert)
Pamela, A Love Story
Gaga: Five Foot Two
Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me
Framing Britney Spears
Elvis
Priscilla
Bohemian Rhapsody
Brats
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields
Whitney
Unzipped documentary
The Bodyguard
Roman Holiday
Almost Famous
That Thing You Do
Simone Biles: Rising
Martha
I Am: Celine Dion
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
The Greatest Night in Pop
Britney Spears - Good Morning America behind ABC Special ‘03
Hannah Montana Backstage Secrets - Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Interviews
Taylor Swift struggles with fame: ‘I can’t be ungrateful, because I chose this’
Unveiling Marilyn Monroe’s Vulnerable Side: The Last Interview / Marilyn In Her Own (Last) Words
This is a subject I’ve always been fascinated by. I could add more material, but this gives a solid start.
As I’ve gotten older and read the memoirs, watched the specials and seen the downfalls of these celebrities we think have it all, I’ve started to understand the human side. They really are just like us. Sure, they might have more money, but with that comes more responsibility and more power and more problems.
It makes me grateful that my Disney star dreams didn’t work out like I used to pray for. I’ll admire the art from afar.
Is there anything about the entertainment industry that has pulled you in?
Any standout movies or songs that give you that “peel back the curtain” vibe on the lifestyle?