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Celebrity: a curse or a blessing? This thread was inspired by the news about Britney Spears and how's she is a grown woman who is still dominated by her father. And then I thought about all the celebrities who died young, we all know who they are, there's too many to mention, including our hero Prince. And then I thought about the people who survived it all, like Madonna, Bob Dylan, Mick & Keith, Paul McCartney... What is it about celebrity? If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger? If you take any of this seriously, you're a bigger fool than I am. | |
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A bit of both, it comes with a price for sure, and can definitely have an impact on ones well being for being a public figure with no privacy whatsoever | |
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I do think that there are some people who can't handle big fame.Look at what happened to Michael Jackson after Thriller.The key is,you have to stay grounded.You can't let fame destroy you.
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SoulAlive said: I do think that there are some people who can't handle big fame.Look at what happened to Michael Jackson after Thriller.The key is,you have to stay grounded.You can't let fame destroy you.
Yeah I feel thriller was a blessing and a curse for him | |
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I'm leaning more towards curse. Reminds me of that Paulina Porizkova essay on fame: |
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Both, depends on how one handles it as well as the circumstances behind their fame. I think every celeb struggles with it to some degree, many just handle fame and fortune better than others (openly, at least). Personally, if I could pick between the two I'd choose fortune without hesitation. All the wealth of a star with the privacy of a middle class citizen. | |
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SoulAlive said: I do think that there are some people who can't handle big fame.Look at what happened to Michael Jackson after Thriller.The key is,you have to stay grounded.You can't let fame destroy you.
Fame is not what destroyed Michael. The kind of fame that Michael had was unprecedented and he remained humble and didn’t go off the deep end taking hard drugs or go crazy. The fucking jealous media, lying fake accusers is what happened to Michael. Let’s be real about what really happened. Let’s not change HIStory(pun intended), just to put MJ into a “narrative” that fits others. | |
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Nobodies of all types and persuasions actively pursue celebrity these days; they don't seem to care if it's a blessing or a curse... "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato
https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0 | |
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It's hard to tell how any one person is going to handle celebrity. I guess somebody's personality and upbringing might be a good predictor. | |
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alphastreet said: SoulAlive said: I do think that there are some people who can't handle big fame.Look at what happened to Michael Jackson after Thriller.The key is,you have to stay grounded.You can't let fame destroy you.
Yeah I feel thriller was a blessing and a curse for him Yes, Thriller was a blessing and it was only a “curse” because of the expectations and jealousy that came after. The media and industry never let him forget Thriller. Everything was compared to it. Even when his other albums sold more than anyone else’s albums, the media deemed it a “failure”. 😡 | |
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I've stated for decades that I wonder what MJ's life might have been like if he hadn't had the MONSTER success of "Thriller" and had that to compete with for the rest of his career... I think he seemed happier with the comparatively moderate success of "Off The Wall." Might have been a different outcome if "Thriller" and the resulting SUPER CELEBRITY hadn't happened... "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato
https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0 | |
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I agree on all this. |
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Michael Jackson experienced more than any child is supposed to experience at such an early age. Performing at strip clubs, Joe terrorizing him, hearing his brothers having sex, the teasing, Berry Gordy twisting reality for PR purposes, Jacksonmania itself. Not exactly a wholesome upbringing. Throw on top of that the witnesses. Enough to make you crazy I guess. And then comes the high of Thriller ... | |
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Free2BMe said: alphastreet said: Yeah I feel thriller was a blessing and a curse for him Yes, Thriller was a blessing and it was only a “curse” because of the expectations and jealousy that came after. The media and industry never let him forget Thriller. Everything was compared to it. Even when his other albums sold more than anyone else’s albums, the media deemed it a “failure”. 😡 Yes I agree with this, it’s not like he wasn’t popular still | |
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Yes, you make a good point, but although there are nobodies of all types seeking fame, the public gives it to them. Take for example the Kardashian's. No talent, nobodies who have made millions and even billions off of nothing. If people didn't allow this to happen, we wouldn't be stuck with this fake ass family. They are only one example, there are likely hundreds. Personally, I think celebrity is a curse. I would much rather be rich than famous and retain my privacy and my real self. | |
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curse FOOLS multiply when WISE Men & Women are silent. | |
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You mean like these "celebrities"? |
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I'm a fan of MJ,but I used him as an example of how 'big fame' can destroy some people.After Thriller,we began to see him change.His life became a circus....the oxygen tank,the plastic surgery,etc.Notice that we didn't see any of this craziness during the Off The Wall era,or at any point in the 70s.It only happened after Thriller.Yes,we can blame the media but I truly think that not every artist is capable of dealing with big fame.They lose themselves and get lost in that world.You really have to have a thick skin and the survival techniques,which I don't think that Michael had. | |
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"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato
https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0 | |
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Before his death, I thought he was such a strong individual with undeniable inner strength. How he died changed that for me, and humanized him even more. He may have not been as strong as I thought and that hurt a lot cause I love him so much and still do. | |
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I think Michael was very strong...but even the strongest among us is still fragile and have a breaking point.
Remembering that song by Sting "How Fragile we are"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6a-iD6ZOY
The thing about celebrity is that it is so new...in human evolution this type of World Fame has only been possible for the last 100 or less years. And it brings pressures that clearly few are prepared for.
I once met someone who hung out with Michael..he had the pictures and everything to prove it. He said that Michael said he enjoyed the wealth but wished he didn't have to deal with the fame all the time..wanting to just disappear in the crowd.
Where Britany Spears is concerned...I think Britany biggest issue was her mental issues...that isn't easy for anyone...fame probably made things worst. To All the Haters on the Internet
No more Candy 4 U | |
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I think you’re right about one having a breaking point, have been there too. I think I felt hurt as a fan that he didn’t value himself the way I thought he did. He took such a big risk using propofol though I also blame it on whoever convinced him he was ok to want it. This may not be a popular opinion among fans, but it hurts and sometimes I wonder if he was thinking of his children or fans when taking that shit. I don’t mean to sound entitled or anything as a fan, but when he died that shit hurt like hell
[Edited 6/25/21 22:58pm] [Edited 6/25/21 22:58pm] | |
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Free2BMe said: SoulAlive said: I do think that there are some people who can't handle big fame.Look at what happened to Michael Jackson after Thriller.The key is,you have to stay grounded.You can't let fame destroy you.
Fame is not what destroyed Michael. The kind of fame that Michael had was unprecedented and he remained humble and didn’t go off the deep end taking hard drugs or go crazy. The fucking jealous media, lying fake accusers is what happened to Michael. Let’s be real about what really happened. Let’s not change HIStory(pun intended), just to put MJ into a “narrative” that fits others. Exactly. Within his bubble, he stayed as normal as could be expected under the circumstances. As for the question, the money is a blessing (if you csn handle not ever really having to work again), the other seems to be a curse. | |
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I feel you.
To All the Haters on the Internet
No more Candy 4 U | |
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DonRants said:
I think Michael was very strong...but even the strongest among us is still fragile and have a breaking point.
Remembering that song by Sting "How Fragile we are"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6a-iD6ZOY
The thing about celebrity is that it is so new...in human evolution this type of World Fame has only been possible for the last 100 or less years. And it brings pressures that clearly few are prepared for.
I once met someone who hung out with Michael..he had the pictures and everything to prove it. He said that Michael said he enjoyed the wealth but wished he didn't have to deal with the fame all the time..wanting to just disappear in the crowd.
Where Britany Spears is concerned...I think Britany biggest issue was her mental issues...that isn't easy for anyone...fame probably made things worst. As far as Mike goes, I agree I think he was plenty strong given what was put against him as well as the repercussions of some of his own decisions. I certainly would not count on any star of today to be able to weather a tenth of the firestorm that he fought through while alive. To expect anyone to take those trials or even just the trials of life with a smile and show no signs of wear is disingenuous and inhumane. | |
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I used to think of him being invincible, unbreakable and everything else, so I know I have to have some accountability for putting him on a high pedestal, when it was really myself without recognizing my own inner strengths and projecting/perceiving that with him I just wish he was still around | |
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MotownSubdivision said: DonRants said:
I think Michael was very strong...but even the strongest among us is still fragile and have a breaking point.
Remembering that song by Sting "How Fragile we are"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6a-iD6ZOY
The thing about celebrity is that it is so new...in human evolution this type of World Fame has only been possible for the last 100 or less years. And it brings pressures that clearly few are prepared for.
I once met someone who hung out with Michael..he had the pictures and everything to prove it. He said that Michael said he enjoyed the wealth but wished he didn't have to deal with the fame all the time..wanting to just disappear in the crowd.
Where Britany Spears is concerned...I think Britany biggest issue was her mental issues...that isn't easy for anyone...fame probably made things worst. As far as Mike goes, I agree I think he was plenty strong given what was put against him as well as the repercussions of some of his own decisions. I certainly would not count on any star of today to be able to weather a tenth of the firestorm that he fought through while alive. To expect anyone to take those trials or even just the trials of life with a smile and show no signs of wear is disingenuous and inhumane. I love what you said. Michael was very strong. He went through things that most stars or even a regular person would never encounter. Yet, he remained kind, classy and dignified. I once heard Quincy Jones say that any other person with the kind of fame that Michael had, would have gone insane or turned to drugs(cocaine, heroin, etc.) The kind of strength that Michael possessed was remarkable. | |
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Free2BMe said: MotownSubdivision said: Yeah. A lot of people have this misconception that being a strong person means to be invincible and to knock down every obstacle in your path without taking any damage of your own. The thing is, humans aren't invincible, physically OR mentally and even the strongest-willed most long-suffering people can only take so much. Just cuz you can bench 600 lbs doesn't mean you don't get tired after a few reps. As far as Mike goes, I agree I think he was plenty strong given what was put against him as well as the repercussions of some of his own decisions. I certainly would not count on any star of today to be able to weather a tenth of the firestorm that he fought through while alive. To expect anyone to take those trials or even just the trials of life with a smile and show no signs of wear is disingenuous and inhumane. I love what you said. Michael was very strong. He went through things that most stars or even a regular person would never encounter. Yet, he remained kind, classy and dignified. I once heard Quincy Jones say that any other person with the kind of fame that Michael had, would have gone insane or turned to drugs(cocaine, heroin, etc.) The kind of strength that Michael possessed was remarkable. And inspirational. For years I felt if he could get through his struggles, I could get through mine. It felt like we were a team, and when he died, I actually felt guilty for surviving though I don’t feel anything like that anymore. Have done a lot of therapy since | |
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I think when it's big time celebrity, it is more often a curse. When it starts with as a child or adolescent, it is almost always a curse. When it is a young person who initially eats up the attention due to their own lifelong insecurities, it is almost always tragic (e.r., Britney, Princess Di, Marlin Monroe, Amy Winehouse, etc. . This is one reason I root for Taylor Swift, who is in the high risk category but may just not only surviving it but seems to flourishing as of late. | |
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gandorb said: I think when it's big time celebrity, it is more often a curse. When it starts with as a child or adolescent, it is almost always a curse. When it is a young person who initially eats up the attention due to their own lifelong insecurities, it is almost always tragic (e.r., Britney, Princess Di, Marlin Monroe, Amy Winehouse, etc. . This is one reason I root for Taylor Swift, who is in the high risk category but may just not only surviving it but seems to flourishing as of late. What probably helps Taylor Swift cope with the madness of extreme fame is that she seems to have come from a strong family structure, whereas many of the people you mentioned- and a lot more- had issues that fame just magnified #SOCIETYDEFINESU | |
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