Are you envious of celebrities jet-setting over the globe while you jealously watch it on television or read about it in
The Star, or
The Enquirer? Do you want others to feel envious and jealous of you? To what length would you go to obtain that money, that recognition, that fame?
There is a type of person which seeks fame and fortune any way possible. Much like the alcoholic, the lure of being a celebrity is simply too much of a temptation to suppress on their own.
They are around us, and they do outrageous things to get noticed. Producers and agents for these reality shows can relate far too names of fame wannabes and what they were willing to give up for just the chance to be noticed by the public.
Lying, cleaning out bank accounts, moving to LA or NY, divorce -- nothing is off limits for the chance of fame. They justify their behavior by saying it’s temporary, the end justifies the means and I’ll stop once I’m discovered!
Jaimee Grubbs became a very well known name for keeping over 300 texts from Tiger Woods. Now, why in the world would someone keep over 300 texts from a married man? You got it. There was no shame involved in being part of something that ruined a marriage……… there was money and notoriety to be had!
Jon Gosselin did his best to stay in front of the cameras after the demise of Jon and Kate plus eight, as Kate and the children seemed to be getting along fine. Jon panicked when he ran out of fame and money, and tried to take it from his family, to the point of taking them to court in a very public way. Now he can barely show his face in public. However... where there's a will....there’s a reality show!
Billy Ray Cyrus, who was a celebrity in his own right, watched his daughter, Miley, shoot to stardom in the Disney show "Hannah Montana." He blames this show for the multitude of problems which consumed his family and, ultimately, his divorce from wife Tish. He is full of regrets, saying he would take it back in a second if he could.
Not only is it disturbing what people will do or give up to be on a show, but also what they're willing to give up because they're on the show. "Temptation Island" took committed couples -- how committed could they be? -- and put them on a luscious resort island, which was also inhabited by a bevy of sexy singles who would try to seduce them and ultimately break up their marriage. What? Really? Who are these people?
The more outrageous the show, the more people are going to want to watch the spectacle. Who could forget "Bridalplasty," where blushing brides to be could make their dreams come true by going under the knife. "Who's Your Daddy" featured one adoptee who guessed who her daddy was from 25 potential daddies. If she chose correctly, she won $100,000 plus a reunion. A wrong guess meant the money went to the most convincing impostor.
"The Will" was another show with a real-life twist like "Who's Your Daddy." A multimillionaire agreed to leave his beloved ranch to the friend or family member who was able to withstand a series of grueling, humiliating and unspeakable challenges, to emerge as the "winner." It was cancelled after just one episode.
Fame addicts know no boundaries when trying to get their fix. They want their name known to all, they want the money, the power, and all the trappings, and they won't let anything, anything, get in their way. They will give up their morals and sleep their way onto the red carpet if they must. They will lie all day long if it gets the cameras turned their way.
They will forget their friends, forget where they came from, divorce their spouse, sell their home and move to LA to be closer to the action. In other words, nothing is as important as having all the attention focused on them. They covet the spotlight, the money, the fame. But understand that just like the drug addict, many need help.
This is not to say fame ruins everyone. Not at all! There are wonderful celebrities who are beautiful, talented and remember where they came from. They keep their values intact, and as they become the portrait of success, they return the favor and give back to society.
They give to individuals, children, women, men, groups, communities, cities, states, countries. They make records to help the whole world, auction their belongings to charities and adopt orphans. They lead by example and, quite frankly, some of them are very tough acts to follow.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have brought global poverty, health issues and New Orleans into our living rooms. Bono uses his celebrity pals to bring to light the problems of Africa. Oprah Winfrey has her Angel Network and betters others and communities worldwide.
I will finish with the thought of Judy Swank, when she took her then 16 year old daughter, Hilary to LA, where impoverished, they lived out of their car. Yet -- or because of this -- Hilary always credits her mom, and never forgets her roots.
My two favorite quotes from her are (1) in her 2005 Academy Awards acceptance speech for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Million Dollar Baby," she said, "I don't know what I did in this life to deserve all this. I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream." And (2) In Woman's World, 7/19/05, she said "I cut coupons, love specials and believe in buying toilet paper and toothpaste in bulk. It's just who I am."
Fame is not bad. Not at all. It's how you get it and, once gotten, what you do with it.
