Everyone has experienced tough times. Break-ups, weight gain, weight loss, family problems... Imagine going through these emotional times publicly. I can't imagine having my personal issues plastered to the cover of a magazine and displayed at your local grocery or drugstore. Celebrities deal with their private lives becoming public knowledge daily.
When the public sees celebrities at their worst, it gives them no time to cope with their issues. Everyone forms their opinion about the issue and talks about it until something "bigger" and more revealing comes out.
Think of the public release of photos of Rihanna after being beaten by Chris Brown. Since the media generally hypes up stories to make them worse than they actually are, people were curious to see if the damage was as bad as media had claimed. It was astonishing to see the photo, taken by the police department, posted on the Internet! With many people blogging about their opinion on the issue, I was surprised to find out she has done the thing no one expected her to do... TAKE HIM BACK! I believe there's a chance that there's a different side to the story than the one the public heard, but since we saw Rihanna's nearly unrecognizable face, its hard to agree with her decision. But who am I to judge??
So, will the media ever establish a boundary of what is and isn't appropriate to cover? In my opinion, there's no way it's going to stop because of the BIG BUCK$ these stories bring in. Although it makes tough times even tougher for the celebrities going through these challenges, they sign up for it when they choose to live a life of fame. The more personal the story, the more interested and entertained the public becomes. I admit that I buy these gossip magazines, which supports the invasion of celebrity lives... and it's not going to stop anytime soon!
I actually thought that this hype over celebrities would stop then Princess Diana died back in 1997. But here we are 12 years later and we are still as obsessed of celebrities as before. Being followed by paparazzo and loosing your personal life is a thing that you give up when becoming famous these days. It’s probably a hard thing to handle by yourself and I hope that most of the celebrities have people who can help them in these situations.
Someone should probably also have a leash on Chris Brown, keeping him away from normal people.
I dont' think that the media will ever establish a boundary of what is and isn't appropriate because its money and publicity. Celebrities are such a center of peoples gossip that if people are buying magazines and adding to the number of hits of a gossip or magazine website than publishers and magazines are not going to stop. Do I think that it is right for these people to have their private lives made public? Absolutely not, but celebrities have become public figures because of their roles in society so whatever happens in their lives will be made public to everyone because they are such popular public figures. Once a story has made an appearance in the public and its a real juicy topic, expect it to keep making an appearance in popular magazines, tv shows, and websites.
The photo of Rihanna was not supposed to be released and the police department was looking for answers. People have mentioned in the past that the government/law enforcement needs to become involved with the actions of the paparazzi. There does need to be a line in regards to media coverage and what is getting published, especially when dealing with someone's mental health. To counter this, many argue that celebrities in the tabloids are in there because they want to be. If celebrities want a private life, they can do so (live outside of LA or New York, avoid the clubs, etc). I say let celebrities live their lives and try and establish some sort of boundary for what is acceptable to have published on store shelves and what is not.
There will never be a boundary for what is acceptable to publish regarding celebrities by the media. As long as these people are famous their lives are free to be picked apart in the press. After all they signed up for the fame, we're just the information-hungry public who want to know more about the people we see in movies. Yes, I agree some of the coverage is horrifying and must be nearly 40 times worse for the actual celeb it involves. However, as long as the public keeps buying up the issues and clamoring online for the latest celebrity juice then how will the media ever begin to want to stop? The Rihanna photo was awful and it completely took me by surprise to see it plastered everywhere on the Internet. That was crossing the line, and should not have been leaked. From what I hear though a police officer leaked that photo and is being investigated for it-so that was not the media's fault. However, once it was released it caused a media circus which is understandable. People wanted to know what she looked like after the alleged beating. The public wants to know whatever they can about celebrities because they're famous and not our friends and whatever is printed about them is the only information we as "normal" people have into what that person is really like.
Kelsey, I agree with your stance. I will admit that I enjoy gossip magazines, t.v., etc. I do not feel sorry for them when their personal lives are invaded, they signed up to be in the spot light. As far as Rihanna goes, there may be a different side to the story, but he (sorry my French) beat the hell out of her! Either way I do not think it is okay to take him back...okay sorry that is my personal stance on the issue. Anywhoo, making money at the expense of others probably will not end soon, especially with the economic crisis and people willing to do about anything to make a buck or two.