FAME & CELEBRITY
Glenn Wilson PhD
King’s College London
Institute of Psychiatry
WHAT DO THESE HAVE IN COMMON?
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Trailer trash air their dirty linen on the Jerry Springer
show.
A child dives into a swimming pool screaming
“Mummy, Daddy, look at me!”
Failed actor John Wilkes Booth, living in the shadow of
his famous brother, shoots President Lincoln from a
box at the theatre.
Britney Spears appears knickerless in public & shaves
off all her hair before the paparazzi.
All are desperate cries of “I want to be noticed”
MODERN OBSESSION WITH CELEBRITY
Is it a sickness of society that we put such a premium
on empty celebrity?
 Vast amounts of attention/money bestowed on small
number of people with high profile or a sensational
story to sell/tell.
 No need for any special talent or achievement – mere
exposure in tabloids/TV sufficient. Nobel prizewinners would not be noticed.
 Not surprising that people do extraordinary things for
“15 minutes of fame” (streak, appear on reality shows,
produce obscene art, shoot famous people).
 Distinction between fame and infamy diminishing
(O.J. Simpson, Monica Lewinsky, Liam Neeson).
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DOWNSIDE
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Press intrusion: Living in “goldfish
bowl”/media forage for sexual indiscretions –
destroy relationships. (“Celebs strive for
recognition then wear dark glasses to avoid it”).
Stalking: Fans may become dangerous – may
assault or kill their idol. “Kiss & tell” groupies.
Often short-lived: Loss may be devastating
(“Fame measured by how far you bounce when
you tumble off the pedestal”).
Isolation: Like lottery winners, often “burn
bridges”, casting off old friends, family & secure
identification (lose their roots).
CYCLE OF CELEBRITY
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Begins with build-up of excitement (press conferences,
photo shoots, increased social engagements).
Strangers treat you as friends, or the character you have
portrayed. People have preconceptions about you they
are seeking to confirm.
Personal space increasingly invaded – reluctance to
appear in public.
Fish-bowl effect. Private life scrutinised (George Michael,
Hugh Grant). Distorted accounts appear in media.
Feelings of isolation – those around are sycophants, not
trusted as real friends and confidants. Old friends &
family back off because they can’t keep up or regard
you as big-headed.
Dispersion of the self – people relate to your many
replications rather than you.
OBSESSIVE FANS
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From fanaticus – “one inspired to frenzy by devotion
to a deity”. Often religious fervour in way fans pursue
their idol.
At harmless end – follow around venues, collect
autographs, memorabilia, seek brief conversation, start
fan clubs.
Destructive extremes – imitate clothing & anti-social
behaviour, abandon partners, jobs, etc to become
“groupies”. May stalk, threaten or become violent if
“snubbed”.
Usually loners of low self-esteem., Live vicariously seeking to partake of glamorous life-style of idol.
Often ambivalent – simultaneously admiring & envying
them.
Danger signs in inappropriate letters are (a)references
to times & places of proposed encounters and
SLIDE TOWARD SELF-ABSORPTION
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Marilyn Monroe always late for shoot.
Val Kilmer said to have banned eye-contact from crew
and extras on film-set.
Elton John phoned hotel reception demanding they
“stop the wind”.
Do they begin that way or grow into inflated selfimportance? Probably a combination of natural
arrogance and “spoilt brat” syndrome.
Said that celebrities have “big heads but fragile egos”.
Partly believe their own publicity, partly feel as though
they are frauds (imposter phenomenon).
NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER?
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Parallels observed between stars obsessed with
publicity/power and NPD:
Manipulative in milking others for attention.
Vindictive to those thought to have obstructed,
humiliated them or withheld proper adulation.
Superficially boastful and bigheaded but basically
insecure.
Engage in outlandish/self-destructive behaviour in
increasing bid to wrench attention from “neglectful”
public.
Need reactions of others to affirm own existence
(“People are noticing me – therefore I am”).
PLANET DIVA
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Young & Pinsky (USC, 2006) gave Narcissism
Personality Inventory to 200 Hollywood celebs
appearing on a syndicated radio show.
Actors, comedians, musicians & reality TV contestants
most narcissistic.
Females esp. high on exhibitionism, manipulativeness
and vanity.
Those with least real-life skills were most desperately
attention-seeking (c.f. David Brent, Miss Piggy).
New-type celebs (“famous for being famous”) are
pressured to behave outrageously to maintain attention.
DRUG DEPENDENCY
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Drugs easily affordable and readily available in circles
in which they move/party (esp. cocaine).
Alcohol problems – 26% of famous people vs 14%
general population.
Belief that drugs assist creativity and energy, help
one “sparkle”, or needed to stay awake.
Alternative theories – replace “high” of performance;
attempt to combat chronic self-awareness, “goodtime
oblivion”, stress reduction, weight control, pain
avoidance.
Begin as recreational or self-treatment but lead to
downward spiral of addiction and attempts at
rehabilitation (Betty Ford Clinic, Priory Clinic).
List of victims include actors (Marilyn Monroe, Judy
Garland, Robert Downey) and pop singers (Janis Joplin,
Michael Hutchence, Amy Winehouse).
SUICIDE & PREMATURE DEATH
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Bellis et al (2007) epidemiologists at Liverpool John
Moores U. found young death among pop/rock
musicians 3x higher than expectation in first 5yrs of
fame.
Suicide rate for celebs in general about 4x average
(4.4% vs 1% for non-famous people).
Suggestion that depression may be a particular risk
among comedians (Tony Hancock, Kenneth Williams).
Early death and suicide often drink or drug-related (e.g.
Alan Ladd, River Phoenix, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain).
May be final exhibitionistic gesture consistent with
histrionic personality (e.g. Peg Entwhistle – failed starlet
who jumped off the big “H” of the Hollywood sign).
DIVORCE
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Also rife among famous.
Individuals at a premium, have “resale” value, and
targeted by others.
Jockeying for social advantage – remarriage used to
enhance profile?
Lack of taboo against divorce – may even have
publicity value (Burton & Taylor x2).
Difficult to conceal affairs under media spotlight.
Conflicting careers & egos – often difficult to live with:
(Rita Haworth re. Orson Welles: “When he woke in the
morning he expected me to applaud”).
BURNOUT
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Physical and emotional exhaustion leading to
progressive inhibition against performing previously
successful routines.
Common among athletes and sports stars where there
is intense performance pressure and competition from
up and coming younger people.
May occur at any age but typically 30s and 40s.
Loss of pleasure/passion leads to withdrawal, selfsabotage and drop-out.
May be masked by alcohol & drugs.
Treatment requires guidance in establishing new
priorities, pacing workload, avoiding stress and
rediscovering variety and creativity.
SURVIVING FAME
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Need to learn to fail safe – like learning how to fall in
Judo, or righting a capsized dinghy.
Ups & downs in career are inevitable – strategy needed
for coping with failure (positive attitude to setbacks).
Bad performance or being rejected is not a tragedy –
needs focus on the incident rather than globalising
(“Saturday was a bad night”, not “I’ll never be able to
appear on stage again”).
Failure may even prompt creative new directions
(Tommy Cooper).
KEEPING FEET ON THE GROUND
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Important not to let life changes become
overwhelming (too many at once = stress).
Change inevitable as fame acquired but need to
stagger rate and scale to avoid disorientation.
Choose advisors (managers, lawyers,
accountants, etc) carefully. Understand and do as
much as possible yourself.
Fame is a commodity – need to be aware that
others always looking for a slice of the action.
Maintain love of close friends and family.
BE REALISTIC
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Recognise that media will discover (or invent) things
about you (cultivate a thick skin).
Develop other interests (e.g. relax with sports &
hobbies).
Have a “Plan B” for dealing with life after fame (e.g.
property investment, restaurants, winery, record
company, politics).
May need to shift focus within profession (e.g. acting to
directing)
Be prepared to give up gracefully (c.f. Norma Desmond
in Sunset Boulevard).
Guard against over-inflated ego – be aware that bubble
may one day burst.
REWARDS OF FAME
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Satisfies inborn need for attention (social
outcasts have poor survival).
Brings massive financial rewards.
Makes one sexually attractive.
May be a form of immortality – Giles (2000)
replication of image is next best thing to
replicating DNA. (“I want to live forever”)
Dumbing down of media (e.g. reality TV) means
fame can be aspired to by all. Celebrity =
famous for being famous.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Evans, A. & Wilson, G.D. Fame: The Psychology of
Stardom. (Vision, 1999).
Wilson, G D. Psychology for Performing Artists,
Second Edition (Wiley, 2002).
Giles, D. Illusions of Immortality. (Macmillan
2000).