by Sherelle Cary Smith

Created on: July 01, 2007

I believe that there is an inherent fascination with someone who has made a choice to do something in the spotlight and public eye. We know that they are people just like us...yet they are different. They make more money, travel in different circles, sing or act for us, whatever the case may be and they do this in front of millions of people. They bare their souls for the public eye which is either extremely courageous or extremely crazy. They open a part of themselves up to us and we respond in kind by being interested in them.

There are those who simply to relate to this person or persons because they make music that is appealing to their souls, they play a role that touches their heart or show some other kind of talent. It sparks a kind of curiosity as to "how they do it". Believe it or not, most people just have this simple kind of curiosity and leave it at that. The remaining percentage is the squeaky wheel which gets the grease. They are fed by the media who think this person is a "story" and who seek to give all the juicy details. People who are interested in every sordid detail in a celebrity's life do not limit their interest only to them. You will find that they want to know this with everyone. They're just into gossip.

Yesterday at the supermarket while waiting to check out, I saw a tabloid which had big pictures plastered on it's front page of secret stars in their bathing suits and their cellulite or paunchy stomachs exposed. The time before that, it was a front page expose' on ridiculously thin stars and their anorexic-looking bodies. I'm thinking to myself, "Pick a side already! Fat, thin...thin, fat, which way is it?" According to the tabloids, celebrities are not allowed to be human.

While I am of the belief that celebrities do have some responsibility to the public which put them where they are and can be such inspirations to others, I also believe that they have a right to live their lives the best way they can. I don't know how many of us could handle being in the public eye like they are. As to our interest and fascination with them, I think we can appreciate everything they give to us as fans, but we have to be careful not to get too caught up in the fantasy of seeing life through their eyes (or moreover, the tabloids eyes). If they inspire you to dream and do something great (which is one reason for our fascination with them), that's great, but don't spend too much time living in their world. Create a world of your own. Do something that makes you shine. Except for their being in the public eye, they are not that different from us. They are human too and it's probably hard to carry the weight of someone else's dreams on their shoulders. We all have the ability to be unique and special. Instead of living vicariously through a celebrity, why not make a little magic of your own right where you are? Everyone has a gift that was meant to shine.

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