They already influence what we read, wear, watch and even what we eat (cue Gwyneth’s latest diet fad). Should we let celebrities loose in the political arena too?
When Ellen DeGeneres asked some of her famous pals to hop in for a selfie at the 2013 Oscars, she promptly created the most shared photo of all time with nearly 3.4 million retweets. Thanks to the digital age and specifically social media, celebrities have never held so much sway. Boasting a magic combo of popularity and reach, they can stand with or against a political candidate, party or cause and exert real influence. It’s no wonder then that many of them are doing just that. So what are some of the pros and cons of their involvement …
For
Lending their support to a particular cause is one way celebrities can give back and make a positive difference. Take Angelina Jolie, for instance. As a Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, she has helped raise awareness of the plight of refugees in more than 30 countries. She’s also behind numerous initiatives in child immigration, education and women’s rights and has received wide recognition for her work.
A seasoned star Angelina’s no fool when it comes generating positive PR either. The fact that she’s one of the world’s most beautiful women is hardly a hindrance here, but given many celebs have grown up in the limelight they’re dab hands at controlling their image and playing the media – even when they trip up, literally. When Jennifer Lawrence stumbled on the stairs on the way to collect her first Oscar, the world just loved her more.
Stylish and media-savvy, most celebrities are actually interesting and entertaining too, which is more than can be said for many of our political leaders of the day. A face off between, say, George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger (aka The Governator) – both of whom have long been trailed by talk of possible presidential runs – would make for some pretty compulsive viewing.
Against
With power comes responsibility and just because Lady Gaga is taking a particular stance on an issue it doesn’t mean her fans should follow suit. Unfortunately, many would – a potentially dangerous scenario when individuals should really be doing their own research. In 2013 a host of US celebs, including Scarlett Johansen and Olivia Wilde, eagerly stepped up to help sell in Obamacare with its promise of accessible and affordable health care for all – since then it’s flaws have been widely documented, not that Scarlet et al need to worry as they won’t ever have to use it.
Call me a cynic, but you have to ask what their true motives actually are. When your entire career has been about making a name for yourself, are you even capable of acting in the greater good? Clearly fame and fortune are celebrities’ drugs of choice so perhaps moving into the political realm is just a natural extension of their inherent narcissism. In which case, there’s every chance their egos could get in the way.
Throw in addictions, DUIs and a stint in rehab (practically a rite of passage for many wannabe stars) and celebs are not always the best role models either. Miley Cyrus fans (whoever they are) might think she’s pretty awesome, but the idea of her holding any sway over important issues of the day is terrifying to say the least – that’s when her wrecking ball could really come into play.
Of course, if you believe in freedom of speech and the principles of democracy then any individual – celebrity or not – should be able to have a voice. And no matter how hot or talented you think they are it’s still up to you whether you choose to be influenced by what they do or say.
This story was first published in the Opinion section of former NRMA site Live4 in April, 2015.
