The Price of Fame

I have found myself feeling more and more unhinged by the growing popularity and frequency of trashy reality television programmes. Jersey Shore, Geordie Shore, The Valleys... one reality show progressively worse than the other but in a different country. It seems to be this strange mixture of personal intrigue and voyeurism into another persons life. Why do we find ourselves so interested in the over-dramatized, embarrassing and often explicit antics of these complete strangers? Do we see parts of ourselves that we recognize, or do we yearn to be as open and free-spirited as them?

Yes I will admit I was a fan at first, but then it all just became scripted, repetitive and boring. I mean what else is there to do other than consume obscene amounts of alcohol, hook up with everyone and fight? I couldn't help but think the majority of the time, 'what must your parents think?' and 'do you realise the entire world is watching?'.

The real question is, what is the real price of fame? How far would you go to get your name on a billboard? The Welsh reality stars in The Valleys really took it to a new level with their episodes, because they obviously felt that they had to set the bar higher and outdo the previous shore versions. Watching some of the things they did actually made me feel awkward and uncomfortable, as if they were just trying TOO hard. Twin brothers making out...drinking each others urine...in the space of 45 minutes a group of humans had been reduced to farm animals.

I can't help but notice the pattern with such reality shows. These outrageous and seemingly clueless reality stars somehow find a way to build empires for themselves by promoting brands, starting clothing lines and marketing products. It is quite concerning that these so called celebrities who negatively expose themselves in every possible way, soon become people that we are supposed to look up to as role models and strive to be like.

The constant swearing, the nudity and crude language, the complete lack of respect for one another and the careless sexual endeavors are enough to make anyone lose faith in our generation. Are we sending a message to the youth that acting that way and sharing your personal life with the world makes you rich and famous? Or is it just a phase in popular culture that will soon fade?

I think of Snookie from Jersey Shore or Holly Hagan and Vicky Pattison from Geordie Shore. All three of these women became overweight on the shows, portraying an extremely unhealthy routine of binge drinking and eating fast food all day. Suddenly fame got to their heads and they decided to lose massive amounts of weight, and they waste no time putting their name on every fitness and health product imaginable. It baffles my mind really... we forget what they spent the last 5 years doing to even be recognized in the first place.

Image from healthyceleb.com

Don't get me wrong, I admire any woman who can lose weight, live a healthy lifestyle and show other woman that it is possible. I just don't understand why we put such individuals on a pedestal to begin with, only to give them the platform to make more money because of their infamy. Whether its writing tell all books (what is left to tell?), starting a clothing line or endorsing brands, they find every possible way to use their new found celebrity status.

Image from chroniclelive.co.uk

We need to get our act together as a generation of 20-somethings, and prove that we can be well-mannered ladies and chivalrous gentlemen who can actually function in society without getting wasted or being promiscuous. We need to set examples for our future children, and be proud and not ashamed of how we spent what is arguable the most important part of our lives. These reality shows should be anything but reality.x