by What is it about human beings that cause us to simultaneously seek ways to look up to people while at the same time finding ways to bring those people back down to our own level if we perceive them as getting too high?
Ever since I was a child, I have seen articles with thousands of photos of celebrities — actors, actresses, and people who are important for no real reason — not wearing makeup. I distinctly remember reading the articles as a child. They were just as void of content as they are today. The gist of any so-called article that has dozens of photos of makeup-free celebrities is that some celebrities still look good while wearing no makeup, and some celebrities look terrible.
As a child I wondered what the point of the articles was supposed to be. What was I to learn from seeing these celebrities in this state? Was it somehow going to make me a better person?
Year after year, numerous publications come out with these spreads. Celebrities without their makeup, celebrities when they were in their high school yearbook, celebrities while they are doing their grocery shopping, celebrities smoking while thinking that nobody can see them smoking. What’s next — celebrities using the toilet? I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s coming down the filthy celebrity obsessed pipeline.
As a child I did not realize that people are so pleased when they see others fail. I was amused by the television show “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes” but to me these shows were amusing because they were not real and no real harm was done. Hiding in the bushes and taking photographs of people when they are vulnerable is what causes people to start wearing disguises and to hire look-alikes to distract photographers.
Incidentally, there are thousands of photos of me not wearing any makeup. Would anybody like to publish them? I can part with a few for the right price.
I wonder if the want for makeup goes back to the glory days of Hollywood, Gordon, when starlets were only seen in public after they’d been approved and vetted by their handlers and the studio to make sure the facade was always uncracked?
The old gurl aint lookin’ so great there, Gordon. Not sure if the photos make your article or just make me sick. haha
David,
That is an excellent point! I didn’t even think about that. I should watch “Singin’ in the Rain” for a reminder of how things used to be… well, somewhat like what they used to be.
I hear you, Anne. Interestingly enough, she is one of my favorite musicians of all time. 🙂
I think we miss old world Hollywood, Gordon, but we can never had it back because the photos and the gossip columnists had deals with the stars to leave them alone in exchange for periodic exclusives. Now anyone with a camcorder is part of “The Press” and it degrades the commoner into celebrity status.