Is it a pain for celebrities to be in the spotlight?

1. Is it a pain for celebrities to be in the spotlight? By: Molly West The Walker School8th grade project

2. The ups and downs of being famous Ups Downs • Lots of Money • Free gifts • Nice clothes • Becoming a role model • More privileges • Getting to bend the rules • Paparazzi • Media • Rumors • Scandals • You aren’t just a “normal person” • The truth can always be twisted

3. Interview with Drew Vandiver • Q: Who else really stayed in your mind when you met them? • A: Heidi Klum. You know, I always thought with everything she accomplished she wouldn’t seem like a normal person. But after she and I started joking around I realized she was just like everyone else. Except had a bit of a different schedule. I’ve also met Kate Beckingstale (starred in the movie “Underworld”) The paparazzi follows her everywhere! She can barely leave her house. They are just waiting to find something that is bad about her. Ashley Olsen who is supposed to be the tall twin and she is on 5’2 at the most. Kristen Stewart. (Starred in Twilight) Vera Wang was also truly amazing. She is an all around sweet and kind girl. • Q: Wow. Do you think you would like or enjoy being famous? • A: (pause, a moment of silence) Yes, yes I would. But only because I am thirty and know who I am. • Q: What does that mean? • A: I am not in my teens or twenties and I know who I am. “Fame is terrible when you’re unprepared.” In other words young. If I was Taylor Swift or Dakota Fanning I could not have handled it like them. People are throwing fame and money and anything they want at them and that’s not good when you’re a teenager! • Q: What do you think of people who believe the rumors in magazines? • A: People write and read trash and lies for and in magazines. You shouldn’t judge them off of just the stuff you read. I have met many famous people that read what people say about them and they tell me its huge lies! • Q: Why do you think people judge off of the materialistic things? • A: Because they are fascinated by what they don’t have. All the E! News specials about the dresses and other things the women wear on the red carpet are just things that they think people want to hear. When you’re poor and you so all the rich women with expensive clothes and stuff you think it is magic or something, you are so fascinated. Like when you’re a little kid and there is always the toy or doll you can’t have, you want it more.

4. Interview with Trevor Jordan • Do you know why certain magazines and television shows or specials judge famous people on the materialistic things? • Famous people are often judged materialistically because their financial wealth is far greater than the average person and the "average person" finds this interesting. Because of their interest, the "average person" will watch or read a TV show or magazine to see how a celebrity spends their money. The more people that watch or read the better for the Television Network or magazine. • Why are they always judging famous people and looking for the negative things about them? • Sadly, negative news gets more notice from TV viewers and magazine readers than the positive news does. The goal of TV networks and magazine publishers is to increase their audiences so that they can have better ratings and charge more for advertising & subscriptions. • Do you know if the famous stars are truly happy or if they are upset by what is said about them? • This really depends on the celebrity. Typically the more mature the celebrity, the better they are at handling the hyperbole and bad press. They know not to let the press determine their value and also how to avoid public situations where their character could be criticized. Younger celebrities have a tendency to get caught-up in their own popularity and can be careless with their lives, relationships, judgment, and companions. These celebrities are often very unhappy and afraid to admit this feeling because it is inconsistent with their public persona. In a sense, they become trapped by their stardom.

5. Reality of the Dream • Relationships have been torn apart because of all the cameras. • Many movies have shown what the life is like • Most everything said can be twisted into a scandal • Nothing is personal • If you have secrets, they will eventually be discovered • You don’t get to be just a “regular person” • Scandals get let out • Once your in the media you are in for good • You can’t go back to the normal life • You always have to watch who you trust • Close friends could turn into insiders

6. Living in the Dream • Lots of money • No money troubles • You get to bend the rules • Most things you can get into, someone can get you out of • Expensive clothes • Good connections • Big houses • Getting over paid for something you most likely love • You have a better chance of getting what you want • You become a role model • You can set trends • Many fans

7. Final Outcomes • Celebs know about media when they become famous • Media attacks them and tries to find dirt • Insecurities build up • They may think they can handle it when it turns out they can’t • People and beliefs can keep celebs grounded • It isn’t fair that celebs have to be constantly watched • As celebs downfall, they tend to draw attention • Celebrities have no consequences for their actions