Celebrity Politics

Celebrities are involved in just about every aspect of politics, from running for office to lobbying Congress on specific issues such as gun control or domestic violence. Celebrities can become politicians, and politicians can become celebrities. With the prevalence of TV and radio and the Internet today, politicians must be comfortable being in the spotlight, as a celebrity would. Indeed, this is why many celebrities do well with the transition from Hollywood into political office, because they are used to being in the public eye. Celebrities can use their fame as leverage when running for office or pushing to get certain legislation passed. For example, rock stars can use concerts as a medium to raise money and awareness for the cause of their choosing. This has proven to be very effective, as demonstrated by examples such as the “Live Aid” concerts that raised almost $150 million for starving people in Ethiopia. Politicians can also use their political offices to attain celebrity status. Especially since the era of “gossip journalism,” politicians are often treated more like celebrities than actual politicians. When journalists became interested in the personal lives of politicians, politicians became subjected to the same scrutiny experienced by celebrities. I don’t think that the cult of celebrity necessarily presents a serious problem for American politics at the time being. One could argue, as West and Orman have, that the American public has become more interested in watching politics than participating in it. I would argue that at least this means that politics are interesting for American citizens; the government just needs to do a better job of getting people out to vote. In addition, I think it’s a good thing that politicians are put in the spotlight in the same way that celebrities are, because they must be held to high moral standards if they are to lead our country.