by Dashmini Parasuraman

Created on: February 04, 2008   Last Updated: February 11, 2008

In the media, there is one story that keeps on getting repeated. It is Cinderella, after all her suffering, being rewarded the life she deserves. The elements of this classic fairy tale is still being used in multitude books, films and television shows and the masses just cannot seem to get enough of it. The reason? There is a possibility that their own lives may parallel the success of Cinderella. Hearing the success stories of others reiterates people's hopes and dreams of achieving success themselves and celebrities portray the Cinderella Story very well.

Nowhere are the opportunities of achieving fame and fortune more apparent than in the media driven industries. With advertisers now creating shows for networks like ABC, MTV and TNT in an effort to reach their target audiences, new celebrities are being introduced to the public on a regular basis. With the last decade making way to the Reality TV phenomenon, shows like The Apprentice, American Idol and America's Next Top Model swept the nation with the likes of Donald Trump and Tyra Banks promising to make a success story out of a commoner.

The celebrity status brings with it all the advantages of the "good life". The unlimited funds to travel anywhere, eat in the best restaurants, wear designer clothes and drive luxury cars. The celebrities' rich and famous lifestyle have set certain standards to which the rest of the common people aspire, therein causing a desire to emulate them.

There is also another and maybe even more of an attractive concept to being a celebrity-that is to be adored by millions of fans. It is the fan base that ultimately creates and provides fuel to the celebrities. People become fans of those they either identify with or those they idealize. Media drives the fan obsession by circulating a wealth of information on the celebrity lifestyle and people live vicariously through them, entertained by tabloid magazines such as The National Enquirer and TV shows like The Fabulous Life of...... These days rarely do we turn on the television without seeing what Cameron Diaz is wearing, who Justin Timberlake is dating or whether Angelina Jolie is pregnant.

Even the stars who seem to have rather disturbing and tragic lives, seem to gain the attention of the public. There is really no one in the world, with access to some form of medium, who have not heard of the latest demise of Brittany Spears. Why this morbid fascination with the young woman's destructive behavior?

People are social beings, in that they have a need to compare their lives with that of the others. They judge themselves in relation to others. The public lives of the celebrities provide the basis for comparison. Brittany Spears, who seemingly have it all-the looks, money and fame- going through a nervous breakdown and being forced into rehabilitation reminds people that she is indeed human. Not unlike any other ordinary person being weighed down by the pressures of life.

The highs and lows of the celebrities' lives mirror the highs and lows of the common peoples' lives. However, it is the success of the celebrities that inspires the common people and provides them with a positive outlook on their future. The celebrities do deserve their accolades as they continue to entertain the public with their talents. After all, can a life without the films, television shows and music ever be imagined?

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