Whether it’s analyzing red carpet looks, scrolling through edits on TikTok, or keeping up with celebrity lives like they’re our own, we all partake in celebrity culture, often without even realizing it. Famous people can often feel both distant and oddly familiar, as if they exist somewhere between reality and fantasy. We know what they eat, their vacation spots, and even sometimes the layout of their houses. But the real question is, why are we so drawn to them in the first place?
At the root of it, celebrities represent the idealized versions of who we think we are and who we want to be. They are the embodiment of beauty, wealth, confidence, and success. Or, at least, the appearance of all those things. In today’s world, where young women are constantly told they need to “glow up” or “do more,” celebrities have become the ultimate symbols of what we’re taught to aspire to be. Their lives seem effortless, or at least they are on the outside. It truly is no wonder why we are so drawn to the mirage of idolization.Â
It’s easy for admiration to turn into obsession, especially in this age of social media. Decades ago, celebrities existed only on movie screens, radios, and magazine covers. Now they’re all over our phones, on our “For You” pages, and a part of our algorithms. We obsess over their relationships, appearances, and snippets of their lives, often without seeing just how controlled these images truly are. The more we see, the more we can’t help but compare. And the more we compare ourselves, the more inadequate we tend to feel.
It’s important to note that this glorification isn’t always harmful, but it does shape the way we view ourselves and our lives. When we constantly keep up with celebrities traveling the world, wearing designer clothes, or looking perfect at 7 AM with an iced coffee in hand, our own day-to-day lives can start feeling … well, a little boring. Suddenly, a normal walk to class feels insignificant compared to a paparazzi photo in Los Angeles. Or a top from Target can feel cheap next to a perfectly curated designer look. Even our success, whether academic, personal, or artistic, can sometimes feel small amid the constant glorification of celebrity accomplishments.Â
It can also change how we form emotional connections with others. Many of us have felt those parasocial relationships, that one-sided bond with public figures who have no clue we exist. They might be comforting and familiar, but sometimes those bonds can distract us from the real relationships in our actual lives. We give so much energy into trying to keep up with someone else’s life instead of living our own. Because it’s easier to obsess over a celebrity breakup than learn to deal with our own relationship issues, or it’s more fun to gossip about famous drama than to confront our own battles.Â
So, where does that leave us? Because celebrity culture isn’t going away any time soon, and honestly, it doesn’t need to. There is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring someone’s talent, work, or style. But it becomes harmful when it starts distorting your reality.Â
The first step in preventing this is to simply notice when it’s happening. Ask yourself this: Why am I consuming this content? How is it making me feel? If you believe that the answer relates to feeling “worse about myself”, then that’s a sign that it’s time to take a step back.Â
Shaping your feed can help in so many more ways than you might think. Instead of constantly keeping up with celebrities, follow people who inspire you without feeling left behind. Follow those people who show off their bad hair days and unfiltered mornings. And most importantly, take a second to remember that celebrity images are merely a performance, a brand, and a business. What might look so natural is often highly regulated.Â
The more grounded we become in our day-to-day lives, the less power celebrity obsession has over us. You don’t need a fancy private jet or an everyday stylist in order to feel fulfilled, and you don’t need paparazzi photos in order to feel seen. Because your life, the messy, real, and unedited parts, is worth taking the time to pay attention to.Â
At the end of the day, celebrities aren’t gods. They’re real people with teams, filters, and contracts. So the more we stop glorifying them and start appreciating our own realities, the stronger and more confident we become. Maybe the most fulfilling life isn’t the one we see on screens, it’s the one you’re living right now. Â