Why are people fascinated by celebrities, such as Anna Nicole Smith, and their rise in fame and their inevitable downfall? The leading news story last night was about Anna Nicole Smith’s death at 39, someone who’s significant claim to fame was posing nude and marrying a billionaire. Apparently, individually, each accomplishments is not particularly newsworthy (since women pose nude everyday, and people marry billionaires every week). Put them together, however, and a celebrity is born.
I’m sad whenever someone dies, especially at such a young age. However, many American soldiers die every day in Iraq (as well as countless Iraqis), and that is never the lead news story on your local evening news. Heck, it’s lucky to be even mentioned if another 3 or 4 Americans die in Iraq. But a beautiful woman dies? Stop the presses!
The double standard arises because, I believe, many civilized societies have simply become bored with the humdrum of everyday, suburban, 9-5 life. Even war deaths can become a part of the ordinary. We look for something out of the ordinary to lighten our own personal loads. We look for excitement and entertainment from those who’ve shown some sort of talent, flair, or ability to garner publicity for themselves. “Hey, a public figure did something embarrassing!” It takes the focus, for however short, off of our lives, which may or may not be as fulfilling, emotionally-satisfying or interesting as we’d like.
And for some people, it may harken to something more… A lack of meaning in the person’s life. Some people lead an existence that lacks significant intrinsic meaning. You don’t find intrinsic meaning in your children, your husband or wife, or your job. You can only find such meaning inside yourself. Some people don’t know, don’t care, or haven’t bothered to do this examination, and therefore value other people’s lives in a manner that gives their own short shrift.
So what’s the allure of someone like Anna Nicole Smith? Not much — just another beautiful person who was famous for 15 minutes and then who died young. I feel badly for those she has left behind, but I feel far more badly for the families of American soldiers who were killed while fighting in Iraq.
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9 Comments to
“The Allure of Anna Nicole Smith”
Where as I agree; it is infinitely more important that the news report on the American casualties in Iraq, the reason I believe the story of Anna Nicole’s unforeseen departure is so all consuming is; we love to see someone whom we’ve put upon a plinth plummet back down to earth. We build them up into “Gods” and cheer their demise. It’s fulfilling to see someone else fail; it makes us feel better about ourselves, and as you said brings “meaning” to our lives. In this case I don’t believe anyone commended her death, she is in death what she couldn’t be in life, she is invincible, she is safe from harm, she is a legend. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of soldiers who would ever have that type of recognition, nor do I believe that is why they joined the service(s) in the first place. They are our unsung hero’s; they will remain nameless, but will live in our hearts forever. Frankly, I would much rather be the latter.
So the question then becomes, why do we build human beings up in the first place?
Why do we need heroes in our lives?
And what makes someone of Anna Nicole Smith’s character ever come anything close to someone we would even want to build up in the first place? There appears to be few redeeming characteristics about her, much less heroic characteristics.
Not everyone can handle the lifestyle of fame and fortune. Its sad that her tragic life has come to this untimely end. Sad, but not entirely unpredictable perhaps?
I think the upshot will be that it will be found Ms. Smith died by her own hand. Intentional overdose of prescription drugs. Just like her heroine, Marilyn Monroe.
Sad story, sad woman, sad commentary on our celebrity-obsessed, youth-obsessed culture. Did you know she was 39 years old? Did she secretly dread turning 40? Enquiring minds want to know…
The only reason Smith became famous is because a 26 year old married an 89 year old rich man. Playboy had nothing to do with her stardom. It’s all because of the age difference. Everyone got so freaked out.
While there is obvious truth in the fact that morally we should show more interest and empathy for the fatalities of people who show bravery, selflessness, and respect for themselves and others, the truth about our celebrity-obsessed society is that people we could never truly know take priority in our thoughts and discussion. Being in the age group of young adults, whether choosing to immerge yourself in the celebrity gossip or not, it is almost impossible to escape the news on even the questionably famous. Psychologically speaking, I feel the reason for this is an unusual sense of closeness society feels towards people like Anna Nicole Smith. The war in Iraq seems distant, misunderstood, and ill supported by a large number of people. It is more difficult to relate to the casualties of war victims because it seems surreal and never-ending. There is more of a connection formed between an individual and the death of a person in the spotlight because we feel like we know them personally and can relate to their tragic downfalls of drug addiction, poor self-image, and slip-ups of moral judgment.
Phewwwww…. 26 year old married an 89 year old man! One word: SICK
Anna Nicole Smith was put on a plinth and built up to “God” status? That’s a very scary thought. The woman was never anything more than an opportunist who unfortunately couldn’t handle the fame and fortune her choices in life brought her. She became owned by the fame and she was a slave to the fortune. She was too weak to handle it and that weakness left an opening for society’s predators so seep into her life. They used her and abused her to their own personal gain. And the sad thing is, she’s still being used and abused even after death. No, Anna Nicole Smith was never exalted. In fact, she was made a joke her entire public life. A spectacle. A freak in a sideshow at the circus. We did this to her. We created her and then we destroyed her. The public craves to see other people whose lives are such complete train wrecks it make them feel better about their own shabby little existence and the media is more than happy to oblige because deviant train wrecks mean big money to them. If you report it, they will come!! And come, they do!! They watch the evening news all gawking and amazed and think to themselves “That girl’s a mess! She should get it together.. like me!” Her train wreck of a life was broadcast all over every aspect of the media and that made her even more vulnerable to predators who came into her life to use her while making her think they only had her best interests at heart. Really, to see that kind of crap in the news gives people a certain air of superiority. We pity them because we think we’re better. It’s not about the public raising Anna Nicole Smith on a plinth. It’s about the public raising themselves at the expense of her life.
These posts are cruel. What had Anna Nicole ever done to any of you?
Those who judge that she died like Marylin Monroe, really? I guess you didn’t bother to read her autopsy.
Get a clue, and learn to be kind whilst your at it.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 9 Feb 2007
