Overview
This lecture explores the growing intersection between celebrity culture, media, and politics, focusing on how celebrity practices shape political processes, politicians' images, and voter behavior.
The Rise of Celebrity Culture
- Celebrity’s importance has grown, moving from entertainment sectors to mainstream culture.
- Social media and digital platforms have made celebrity news and personas omnipresent.
- Historically, fame was tied to office or accomplishment, while modern celebrity depends on public visibility.
Celebrity and Politics: Convergence
- Political figures increasingly adopt celebrity strategies to manage public image.
- Media coverage of elections and politicians mirrors tabloid-style reporting on stars.
- Politicians and parties are marketed like entertainment figures to foster fan-like followings.
Key Concepts: Celebrification & Micro-Celebrity
- Celebrification: Ordinary people are transformed into celebrities, and celebrities are made to seem more ordinary/relatable, mainly via social media.
- Micro-celebrity: Ordinary individuals curate public personas for small online audiences, chasing “clout” or brief fame.
- The rise of reality TV and social media democratized access to fame.
Celebritization: Changing Forms of Fame
- Reality TV and digital media diversified who can become a celebrity (chefs, entrepreneurs, politicians).
- Traditional celebrities increasingly cross over into new industries using their fame.
- Examples: Trump (real estate → reality TV → politics), Rihanna (music → beauty/fashion).
Types of Celebrity Politics
- Celebrity Advocacy: Celebrities lobbying/campaigning for policy change (e.g., DiCaprio on environment).
- Celebrity Endorsements: Celebrities publicly support political candidates (e.g., Oprah for Obama).
- Celebrity Politicians: Celebrities running for office (e.g., Reagan, Schwarzenegger, Trump).
- Politician Celebrities: Politicians becoming post-career celebrities (e.g., Obamas as producers).
Impact of Celebrity on Democracy
- Pros: Celebrity politics can energize participation, bring non-traditional leaders, and give visibility to marginalized causes.
- Cons: Risks include trivializing policy, focusing on personality over competence, crowding out substantive debate, and turning politics into fandom.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Celebrity — A person famous primarily for their public visibility, not necessarily achievements.
- Micro-celebrity — The practice of cultivating a minor online fame via personal branding.
- Celebrification — The transformation of ordinary people or roles into celebrities.
- Celebritization — Expansion and diversification of celebrity forms across industries.
- Celebrity Advocacy — Celebrities' direct involvement in promoting policy or social issues.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete assigned readings, especially Marsh, Harten, and Tindale on celebrity politicians.
- Reflect on how celebrity practices influence political opinions and engagement for the next class.