Influence by Celebrities
It is interesting to note how much influence celebrities have in our culture. People who have no personal connection or relationship to the “man on the street,” so to speak, have input into one's hairstyle, clothing, mannerisms, and even the cologne one wears.
Celebrities can also influence what a person does for entertainment, what food one eats, and one's beverage of choice. In times past, this level of influence primarily came from one's parents, extended family, teachers, and neighbors. Mass media has changed everything.
Essential
Pseudo-relationships can develop between celebrities and their fans. There may be an illusion of friendship or even a feeling of intimacy that is one-sided. Celebrities have a sphere of influence through the media whereby they can model and encourage by example the use of addictive substances or ways to live healthy lives.
Watching celebrities engaging in substance use or addictive behaviors in movies or music videos can lead to learned behavior by modeling. Remember that modeling through social learning can have a very significant environmental effect on developing addictions. Young people may idolize celebrities who glorify substance use in movies, music, and other media forms.
It can be very confusing to a young person who idolizes a celebrity and desires to copy the celebrity's behavior to see a very unappealing “mug shot” in the news when that celebrity is arrested for drunk driving or substance abuse. This has happened many times in recent years, with some celebrities earning jail time for their activities.
Of course, celebrities can also have a positive effect on their fans by modeling the resistance of potentially addictive substances or behaviors. Celebrities can also model changed lives if they have been addicted and are seen living out responsible recovery.
While movies, television programs, and music videos may find a more receptive audience in young people, adults are not immune. Adults and children may also be influenced by celebrities from other areas of interest.
Take sports, for example. Even though professional athletes are regularly monitored for illicit substance use, sports figures are continually seen highlighted in the news for substance abuse, gambling addiction, and other addictions. Sports figures are frequently featured in commercials and advertisements for alcohol. There has been considerable controversy in recent years over the illegal use of steroids by athletes.
This isn't to say that there aren't many professional athletes who take their role of being positive examples very seriously. They are to be commended and they can have a powerful positive influence on their fans.
