Does Madonna represent what society wants?

Much of the popularity that celebrities have is attributed to them by consumers, the TV talk show producers that choose focus on a celebrity’s latest rampage through town, and so on. Ward emphasizes how much the public knows about Madonna, for example, even though they may not be intently watching her every move. This “knowing about a person” is generated when people give the celebrity’s stories or stolen pictures “meaning”. Madonna is known for her open-ness and lack of inhibition with her 50-some year old body (with good cause). She has “commodified intimacy” with the release of books like In Bed With Madonna and by pushing the lines for the traditional age group typically associated with being able to perform on stage with revealing outfits and sexy choreography. She is the perfect representation of a star who has managed to create a persona that is unafraid of the media, confident about her individuality and her body, yet also creating a life off the stage with her adopted children and personal life.

Ward also mentions the shift of media coverage from the glamourous to the “ordinary” behind-the-scenes stories of celebrities. Magazines like Heat were one of the first to turn their issues into something like the equivalent of a reality TV show, exploiting the details of a star’s love affair or financial issue. He discusses the use of such parts of a celebrity’s life as a form of currency in the media world, being exchanged, bargained for, or sold. He explains that this shift in interest has to do with the larger role consumers have come to play. Stars are popular because of the meanings that people project onto them, most significantly the notion of individuality as difficult, yet promising.

Gods Behaving Badly Chapter 2: Representation - Pete Ward

A Penny for your Thoughts?

• When magazines fight over certain rights to publish something about some celebrity, they are highlighting the importance of celebrity figure heads in our society (Eg. reality television contestants, a pop artist) and the "meanings" that they represent. Does the media focus too much of celebrity gossip and not enough of other issues that might be more consequential to our lives? What does this mean for society if it is so focused on the lives of stars?
• Ward talks about how one photograph caused many problems for Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Burton, both personally and legally. Do you think celebrities give up certain rights to privacy when they become famous? (Should they be legally allowed more privacy?)

Read on:

How Fame Works (connection with Ward's ascribed/ achieved/attributed forms of fame)

Why Are We Obsessed With Celebrities?