Hollywood Paparazzi And The Cost Of Fame
In the past 20 years there appears to be a new breed of paparazzi, they are aggressive, arrogant, and obsessed with providing information about a well known celebrity. From digging through garbage cans to stopping traffic a person has to wonder if living the lifestyle of the rich and famous is really worth it.
When Princess Diana passed away in 1997 , many observed what the paparazzi could do but were lead to believe it was possibly an isolated incident. Princess Diana was always cordial to the paparazzi posing for the cameras, answering questions so why the chase?
Move ahead thirteen years and it appears they are getting progressively worse. Hiding behind garbage cans just to get a glimpse. Following them through the airports only to add stress to their environment or blocking there vehicles until they get a shot.
When they pick up there children from daycare, they either have to have bodyguards or request aide from the police department just to get there children home. Does this make any sense?
There are those who are star struck and those like myself who could careless when it came to the type of toilet paper they used or wondering what there children looked like. If a parent wishes to share there children publicly then they should not be bullied, shoved, or followed at high speeds just to get a snapshot if an actor/.actresses children.
They were given a gift to act,sing, dance or make us laugh. Everyone has some type of God given talent. There are those who excel in the craft of building or banking,others excel in writing, directing traffic or protecting our community. We enjoy there talent and we pay them to perform for us but they are people who are entitled to privacy, respect, and peace just like anyone else.
We appreciate them but it does not mean that when we see them in a public place we should interrupt there day. Just like us they need there space and should not live in fear being concerned about how they are going to plan a dinner for two and wondering how they are going to escape the world of the paparazzi or stalkers for that matter.
Hollywood paparazzi and the cost of fame has became stressful for many stars, we are finding that they are taken prescribed drugs just to cope with the world outside of theirs. Michael Jackson, Anna-Nicole Smith were good examples of what happens when the world does not leave them alone.
Paparazzi and the media were cruel to both Michael Jackson and Anna-Nicole Smith. While the camera was snapping, the media was painting horrific pictures of their drug addiction. Do you blame them for being hooked? We expect them to look perfect, act perfect and smile for the camera. Who are we to tell them what to do? How would the paparazzi, the media and all of us feel if the shoe were on the other foot? What if someone was chasing us just to get a glimpse of our children or to see if our hair was done or not? Would fear and panic run through our veins?
They are only people who make more money then the average Joe, they put there pants on the same way as we do, tie there shoes, brush there teeth and you can bet they watch many of the same movies or listen to similar music.
Many of us do not blame them for punching someone in the nose or shoving a camera out of the way. They are not puppets. The Hollywood paparazzi and the cost of fame is not worth another person's life. We are not desperate to see that Demi Moore has put on a few pounds or that Ashton Kirschner purchased a new vehicle. Are we really that concerned about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arguing? Any relationship has there indifference, so why is it our business?
Being a star has its price but a law needs to be passed in the United States that does not allow them to stalk, harass or chase them at high speeds. Something needs to be done before someone gets hurt again and it costs someone there life. All due to trying to get a snapshot of a person who only wishes to have a little privacy. If the paparazzi were being stalked by people one would wonder how they would feel.
© 2010
