What Now, Two-Hit Wonder? Unveiling the Evolution of the Celebrity Persona
Image Courtesy: NME
Celebrity lifestyles have heavily encapsulated and dominated pop culture in the contemporary era. Unlike the pop stars of our generation, musicians like The Beatles and Michael Jackson had little to no control over their image. Record labels took an authoritative approach to shaping artists' public image, often adhering to carefully crafted, marketable personas that catered to mainstream appeal. However, with the advent of digital platforms and social media, artists now have unprecedented direct access to their audience. Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube have become powerful tools for celebrities to showcase their authenticity and connect with their fans on a personal level. Stars can now engage with their audience in real-time and share behind-the-scenes glimpses of their lives. This has created a shift in the landscape of celebrity personas, as artists can now break free from the confines of conventional industry standards and present more genuine images to the public. This is best exemplified by Ice Spice's bold and defiant comment in a Genius interview. In response to comments on her repeated success that came to the surprise of many skeptics, she says, “Everybody [was] saying, ‘Oh she [is] a one-hit wonder. But what now, two-hit wonder?" This reflects a new attitude among celebrities—a refusal to be boxed into preconceived notions of success. It's a declaration of their right to define their own narrative and fight for their individuality in a society that often seeks to diminish it.
Image Courtesy: Modern Celebrity Culture
Society has generally accepted the use of paparazzi, claiming that celebrities are obligated to share their lives with the world because they are public figures. However, the digital age has facilitated a new level of visibility for people in the public eye. While it has led to a plethora of new opportunities, it also exposes them to an unprecedented amount of scrutiny and criticism from faceless online entities. Tabloid culture has bled into online conversations about famed people. The severe lack of privacy these celebrities experience has adversely affected their mental health. This was seen most abhorrently when Demi Lovato admitted that she relapsed in her 2018 song “Sober.” Many fans took to online tyranny, berating the singer and insulting her over her apparent setback. Clearly, this negativity wouldn’t help a singer who’s already admitted to having mental health issues. Today, however, celebrities are fighting back in their own ways.
Image Courtesy: E! Online
Celebrities have become more vocal and unapologetic about challenging norms and expectations. One prime example is Doja Cat’s “Demons,” where she fearlessly confronts her demons and the negative perceptions that could hinder her growth. As a multifaceted artist known for her unyielding expression of self, she has showcased her uniqueness regardless of public opinion. Her actions set a powerful example that embracing one's individuality is an act of strength and resilience that can pave the way for a more accepting and inclusive society. Hopefully, in the years to come, we can see a pushback against the notion of seeing celebrities as less than human and allow them to be themselves because, frankly, they have the right to be.
Strike Out,
Writer: Mishalynn Brown
Editor: Noelle Knowlton
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