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Say cheese! I don't want your celeb life

Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:35 AM by Kurt Schlosser
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I'll be the first to admit that I spend a great deal of time on the Internet looking at paparazzi pictures of celebrities. I'll also admit that I think 99 percent of this stuff is garbage and makes me glad I'm not a big shot star (at least not in my own mind).

The only reason I bring this up -- because by now I've learned that all of you who tirelessly read about celebrities actually hate reading about celebrities -- is because two noteworthy photos surfaced this week. One photo shows Britney Spears smoking a cigarette in a bikini as her 2 1/2-year-old son Preston stands nearby, getting ready to lift her smokes off of a table. This image was actually on the cover of the New York Post, teasing a story about how horrible a mother Britney is.

The other image shows Brad Pitt out for a cruise in a golf cart with his young daughter Shiloh riding on his lap. The photo is reminiscent of Britney again, who got more bad mothering heat for riding in her car with one of her kids on her lap.

Some will say Britney and Brad should know better by now, that they live their lives within range of long camera lenses and everything is fair game because they're celebrities. I'm not going to condone the actions being taken in either of these photos, but I think that's a little crazy. It's ridiculous to expect these people to be perfect at every turn when we, the people who feed on their every misstep, would look just as silly under the same microscope.

Regardless of Brad and Brit's parenting skills, who in their right mind would want to be a megawatt star in this day and age? Do the hotels and the boats and the cars and the houses really offset the lack of privacy that comes with being pursued 24-7?

Think about it as the helicopter hovers overhead as you stand there looking bloated in your bikini, your 2-year-old momentarily reaching for your cigarettes before a picture is snapped and sent around the world. Would it really be worth the hit record or the blockbuster movie?

 

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Yes, to have that financial security is incredible. The celebs should just not live in LA.
We as a society, we no longer judge actors and actresses based on their acting ability.  Instead we now judge them based on their every move!  "Oh my gosh she bought 2 double mocha lattes!"  What does that have to do with anything? Come on!  I understand the logic, "If they don't want to be in the eye of the media then they're in the wrong business."  At some level that's true, however who's business is it to know any person's (famous or otherwise) every move?  I remember growing up to see the red carpet issue of People Magazine, so that I could see the stars at their finest.  Now we're inundated with pictures of stars without make-up, grocery shopping, walking their dogs.  That's not entertainment.  
Sometimes the price is more subtle.  Would Kanye West's mother have sought plastic surgery if he was not a rich celebrity?  All our foibles and weaknesses are brought to the surface and exploited.  Money creates different kinds of dependencies.
As a parent who is a smoker, I think the blow up over Brit's son grabbing at the pack of smokes and lighter are such hoo-ha.  Anyone with a kid knows that they will reach for anything and everything in their sight, and by looking at these photos Brit has two things going for her: 1) she is outside taking her smoke break, 2) in the photo sequence it's obvious she reaches to take the pack and lighter away from the tyke.  She appears to be taking care of the boy just fine by seeing what he does and remedying it quickly.    
Let's me honest, if the paparazzi were around back in the 70s, most of the now middle-aged among us would have made Paris Hilton look like a choir girl.  I'm not sure where all these perfect, saintly people live, but they certainly didn't go to high school or college or spend their 20s and 30s in my neighborhood!
You think that Britney is the only mother in the World that smokes? She is the only mother whose kids have gotten into something they shouldn't. Any mother of a two year old will know that you can't watch them every single second and that one second you turn your head they are off and in something you don't want them to be into.
What is annoying is how the paparazzi tries to take what is normal and turn it into bad parenting.  What 2 year old isn't curious?  It doesn't mean that she's going to let him have the cigarettes.  I remember as a child sitting on my mothers lap on the riding lawn mower and with my grandfather on a tractor.  Why would Brad's actions be any different?  Personally I think that the person publishing the photo and choosing the headline looks like a moron and anyone who would buy into it needs to grow up and start using their brain.  
It's the train wreck mentality that our society has. You love to watch the carnage and it's all the better the higher up the financial ladder someone is. The harder they fall the better the show. We love to judge those with money and fame and compare what a better life we are living. But really who is to say. Entertainment has sunk to an all time low when we search endlessly to see what A-Rod will do next with his broken marriage or Christian Bale's family issues.
After Princess Diana died, George Clooney was very upfront about his disdain for the paparozzo that participated in the chase. I couldn't agree more. It is ridiculous. We know they have caused minor auto bang-ups to celebrities trying to leave clubs without any remorse.  (Can you imagine pulling out of your grocery store or church parking lot and having to drive through a sea of flash bulbs?) I also remember an episode of "Newlyweds" where Jessica Simpson was literally in a highspeed chase trying to outrun one of these jerks who was chasing her.  There was also an instance when Cameron Diaz was called several very un-kind, vulgar names at a red carpet event, just days after she split with Timberlake.  The guy was obviously trying to get a reaction or make her cry so he could get it on film.  It just goes on and on. Unfortunately, until the market for this footage and these type of photos disappears, the scumsucking dirtbags that make that living that way, won't.

Regarding Brit:  They didn't run the second shot, as the cover shot, which showed that Brit immediatley walked over to snatch the smokes out of the little guys hand. That wouldn't have made a good cover.  "Smoker takes cigs away from toddler..." just doesn't have the same zing to it.
I am sick of hearing celebrities whine about the paparazzi, it's part of their job.  Also if you don't want to be photographed, don't go to the obvious places where you will be photographed.  You don't see tons of paparazzi photo's of Tom Hanks or the million other celebrities that exsist. These people love the attention. I don't feel sorry for them. You get paid millions of dollars to put up with this stuff.
If we as a people completely disapproved of all of the tabloid crap, we'd stop buying People, OK, US Weekly, etc.  We'd stop going to entertainment websites.  They see the magazine sales.  They see the online hits.  If a majority of the public were TRULY tired of hearing about this stuff, the magazines and websites would go out of business, because there would be no sales, and no clicks.  There would be no paparazzi because no one would buy the photos.

I stopped buying the rags two years ago, but I admit I'm guilty of clicking on all of the stupid stories.  
Don't go to the obvious places where you will be photographed??  Britney was at home when that photo was taken at long range.  Do celebrities have to stay indoors with the blinds closed 24/7?  EVERYONE is entitled to their privacy in their own home, and I'm sick of people saying "Oh, they're clebrities, they get well paid for it."   There isn't enough money in the world to pay for what they go through.
Who in their right mind would be a mega star today?  Exactly, most of them are not in their right mind, they are narcissistic, vain and shallow and crave endless attention. Flashing your crotch is not attention seeking?
How come some celebs manage to not be photographed continually?  By, being normal and not doing anything photo worthy.
Someone please explain.  Why do we regard actors/actresses so highly. Athletes and Actors/Actresses are paid too much and pampered too much.  My husband said they are paid the money because they are in the public eye.  The truth of the matter is that us "regular" folk work much harder than most of the athletes/actors 5 days a week.  Why don't the camera men/costume designers, et. al. make that kind of money the actors do, or the trainers and stadium faculty make the money the athletes do. Get wise people.  Why not spread around the wealth.  $11 million dollars for a photograph of a family. The pictures won't be relevant 2 years from now.  Why not pay the soldiers the mega money - they at least risk their lives for us.  Seriously - the money that goes to entertainers is just......worst thing is - that most of the crap being shown in theaters and television just that...CRAP.  
Well said, Jane Kolb!!  Everything you said times two!  How well I remember those "special" issues where you got to see the stars all dressed up!  You're right, taking a picture of somebody at the grocery store is not news.
It is time for the harassment of celebrities to end. I, too, stopped buying the mazagines at check outs after the death of Princess Diana--I couldn't stand the idea that a life was lost needlessly because of a few pictures. My parents were smokers yet I don't smoke; each person will take his or her own path in life. I used to drive in circles on parking lot with small niece in my lap, irresponsible but no one was injured. People need to be able to live their own lives. Buy the CDs and movie tickets if you like but we don't own these people.
It's all much ado about nothing.  Neither would exist without the other.  So there really isn't anything to debate about. And remember these "new" celebraties are the kids or relatives of the original actors who built Hollywood back in the day, George Clooney is Rosemary Clooney's nephew, their all related to each other in one way or another.  So most are sons and daughters and relatives of older celebrities were used to being very wealthy anyway, and they just got wealthier so boo hoo, if some photographer who dosen't live in a Mansion in Italy, snaps an embarasing photo of some spoiled celeb.tough toenails.  If you don't want your picture taken become a accountant.  
Valerie Bertinelli said it best, "You don't have to go out for coffee every morning". Nothing about her infidelity or drug dependency was known until she published her book. She managed to stay under the radar and she was a pretty big star in the 70's. I understand that these photographers are just trying to make a living, but they have gone way too far. If these stars don't want to be photographed/followed all the time, they need to stop making fools of themselves (i.e. Brittney moreso than Brangelina). Just my .02.
Pure and simple - Britney can afford to build a Starbucks in her own home.......she drives to the others for the attention and knows full well what the response will be by the paparazzi.  Brad seems pretty private and to not be attention seeking with his children present. I agree with the above poster........it's all about the attention.
One does not have to be wealthy to afford plastic surgery.  many people, of all economic levels, have cosmetic procedures.  If Kanye's mother was really aware of her material wealth, she would not have been having risky surgery in a low-rent strip mall, but in an exclusive resort.
I understand the desire for privacy.  But all things come at a cost.  If you don't want the publicity then find a job doing something else.  There are very few jobs where you can go to work without being investigated in some way.  They chose a job in the public eye.  People want to sue over these photos but when they have a new movie or something coming out they want you to pay attention to them and they don't have any problem with letting someone take their pictures.  I heard an anoymous quote from someone who got a gift pack at one of the events that they deserved it because they had to lose their privacy.  No, you don't, retire and do something else.  Celebrities use their names and images when it suits them.  Poor little things have to show up for award shows and get a $50000 or $100000 gift bag or make $10 million off an opening weekend on their movie. Try living life like an average American and live on $60,000 a year if you are lucky if life is too hard as a public figure.  
While I agree that there is a class of "celebrity" that seeks out the attention of photographers and by that action perpetuates their status, painting every actor or musician with that broad brush is pretty silly.  A nightclub, red carpet affair, or organized event is one thing.  A long-distance telephoto zoom or ninja-commando photo swoop in the frozen food section is something entirely different.
One thing seems clear.  While the magazines and tabloids have created this market where invasion of privacy results in sales, the consumers of that trash (those who buy or subscribe) are just as responsible for perpetuating it.  It's quite simple really.  We stop buying it, magazines have less money to pay stalkers and peeping Toms, and the photo market returns to the only mildly insane status that it enjoyed prior to this current world of "celebrity for celebrity's sake".
Princess Diana's death can just as easily be blamed on her driver and her boyfriend for that matter.
While I don't like how they hunt down certain celebs who try to maintain privacy, I think some bring it upon themselves.  But it really is a supply and demand thing.  If we stopped caring about what Britany and Paris did, so would the papparazi's...  
I completely agree with M Wilks. I just had this conversation with my boyfriend the other day about why in the WORLD actors/actresses/athletes get paid outrageous amounts of money, when we could certainly put it to good use in other aspects of our lives. Some celebrities are making $20 million PER MOVIE. To me, that's just INSANITY. Give them a few mil, and use the rest of it towards rebuilding this twisted country.
Don't even get me started on A-Rod. I could care less what he does in his personal life, but to be the HIGHEST paid basebal player in the history of the sport, he sure as hell doesn't give us anymore than the lowest paid basball player. It's all hype and his "scandals" are what keep him a hot commodity.
I do agree that some celebs ask for it more than others, but I also think they are entitled to privacy when they are in their own homes.
M. Wilks of Canton GA, you took the words right out of my mouth. I was just discussing this very subject with my brother-in-law a few nights ago. I work two jobs and can't even afford to buy a 1995 blazer for $1,900. Actors, actresses, sports figures, they all make too much money. What about us who work our butts off every day and spend our pay checks on gas and food? Seriously disturbing!!
I don't get all the fuss about Brad driving the golf cart with Shiloh on his lap.  It's a GOLF CART, for crying out loud!  They're  not able to go very fast, so I don't get why everyone's so freaked out about how "unsafe" it is for Shiloh to not be wearing a seatbelt or a helmet.  

Based on what has been written/photographed of Brad in the past, he seems to be a very good father, and he wouldn't put his kids in any kind of danger.  

If this photo had been taken while he was driving a car, all this fuss would have been warranted, but this is making a mountain out of a molehill.
I believe that certain stars are more responsible for their own over exposure than others.  When can you remember Angelina Jolie not wanting the attention she gets?  And, what ever happened to just having your children and releasing one photo to the press, rather than having to sell the shot to the highest bidder?  It seems to me these stars are playing the press as much as the press is playing them.  
So...Britt notices the helicopter hovering for shots and is distracted from her 2 year old.  He gets the cigarettes...does he have the intelligence or gross motor skills to fire one up and take a toke?  Who's fault would it be?  Should Brad notice the same and try to "Dukes of Hazard" it out of there on that golf cart...who's at fault if the baby takes a tumble?  What a shot either would make, eh?  
Bottom line is that although celebs try to maintain dignity and privacy, they are put in bad situations and, as most of us know, when you're put on the spot you react without thinking the majority of the time.  It's like pro-lifer's who blow up clinics.  None of it makes sense.  
Photographs at grocery stores?  I can't see the problem with that.  They are stepping out into the public eye and I love to see them looking unpolished for a change.  But the aforementioned "ninja" photo zooms of them trying to live a normal life and enjoy their children is a step too far.  
Parenting is learning.  Every single day.  Celebrities don't always need privacy, but a little respect would do.  
Yes it would be worth it to have financial freedom. I live from paycheck to paycheck and the struggle is sometimes more than I can handle. I would love to be free to live any lifestyle I choose and have the money to do it.
I don't care how much money a person makes. Their every action is none of my business. Those people are also entitled to a life without being harrassed by those members of the paparazzi. Which parent has not held their child on their lap in a vehicle or taken their eyes off a toddler for a few minutes and the child goes after something totally inappropriate?
I also agree that we, the public, is responsible for the magazines going to such lengths to purchase those pictures. If we do not buy the magazines, the paparazzi would vanish.
Simply STOP buying the magazines and watching the TV news shows focused on "celebrities".Pitt & Jolie are the two biggest phonies I've ever read about- or seen - in my life.Their phoney double standards of the love/hate relationship they have with the media. They seem to love the media and photographers when they are getting a ridiculous amount of money. Oh sure - maybe they give some to charity - but remember with every donation there is a tax write off and I'm sure both of them need a good write off with all the money they make. I REFUSE to buy a magazine or see a film if either on of those two are featured. I use to have some respect for Pitt - but now that he has hooked up with freak Jolie - well - birds of a feather flock together. Stop the madness - DON"T BUT THE MAGAZINES.    
Leave them alone in their own home. If they are being interviewed for a movie, fine, take all the pictures you want. Otherwise butt out of their private lives.
With all of the starving children, wars, and violence in the world today, I think the media's time is better spent on focusing on these issues rather than what Brad and Angelina are doing or any other celeb for that matter. I don't buy the celebrity magazines because in reality, I truly DON'T CARE what they name their babies, etc.  There are far more important issues to focus on than what the "stars" are doing.  The public glorify them for slapping on some makeup and speaking some lines in a movie.  What about the soldiers, police officers, and fireman who but their lives on the line everyday.  How about some photos of them on a magazine.  They are the true heros and celebrities.
Paparazzi might be something you have to learn to deal with as a celebrity when you are out and about, but these people even stalk them in their homes. Yes you lose some of your privacy by entering the spotlight, but some things should be off limits. Would we want people shooting us in our homes? I think not. If people stopped buying it, they would have no reason to do it, but we are just as guilty as they are for supporting such rubbish. I was never a fan of Britney or her music, but now I feel sorry for the poor girl, she has problems and these people and us just add to the weight on her shoulders by feeding into the bull.
I feel that just because they are famous it doesn't mean that anyone has the right to go into their lives and invade their privacy. I am really protective of my kids, so I understand why they don't want strangers taking pictures of their families. there is too many crazy people out their that might do something stupid and use the pictures for bad.
Personally, I'm just plain fed up with the over indulged Hollywood elite.  Every time I hear the name Paris, Lindsey, Miley or Britney, I want to barf.  There are more important things happening in the world today other than the trivial and spoiled going ons in the lives of these little twits.
You can't command stardom and big-time paychecks and then cry about being left alone.  Oh, they're taking pictures of kids, wha wha wha.  I admit I love candid pics of celebs especially ones that aren't flattering just like you and me.  I for one have had enough of Jolie and Pitt.  I will never again nor have i yet purchased any ticket to see any one of their films--I get angered to know I would be supporting their home-wrecking, marriage-splitting, out-of-wedlock children abilities that they seem to revel in.  there are ways not to be seen if one really wanted.  Look at all the celebs who are not photographed every other minute like John Travolta, Tom Hanks and hundreds others.  No sympathy--bottom line.  Go ahead celebrities, wipe away your tears with your hundred dollar bills--after all, money cannot buy happiness.
I find it hilarious when actors seek fame and fortune and don't want what comes with it.  Someone call the WAHHmbulance.
We, the consumer, are responsible for all this.  If we didn't go to or rent their B movies, buy the tabloids and magazines go to the games there would be no call for the papparazzi, they'd be out of a job, if that's what you call what they do.

I really don't understand why athletes get paid so much for "playing."  The rest of us have to work to get paid a fraction of their salary.

As someone said before.  Our beloved Country has become seriously twisted.
If I happen to be in a dr's office, I may pickup a magazine like People or Star. I am sorry but the fact this society has turned "stars" into gods, just isn't my thing. I love Viggo Mortensen, but I honestly don't care if he eats twinkies for breakfast and washes it down with beer. As long as he's happy and making movies and surrounded by loyal people, (which I can pretty tell you, there'd be one or two people in his circle with his best interest at heart but we've all seen how many 'circle' people betray them)  I don't care what he does, who he does or how it's done. It's called I have a life people. A happy wonderful life and don't have the time to ponder why any of them do what they do. I'm glad Angie and Brad's twins are healthy but the fuss made over them is beyond stupid.
I applaude Angelina and Brad for all the charity they do. However, they recently sent $30,000 (or more) to a foreign country and only about half of that to the children of THIS country. I guess I'm a very bad person in thinking that we have sick, homeless, and hungry children and people here in the U.S.A. We need to take care of OUR NATION before we start giving money to another one.
I do have to say that it makes me sick when I hear celebrities complaining about pictures of them being taken. They live the life that most of us wish, thought of, or dreamed of at one point in time. Most of these celeb's know what they are getting into when they sign that contract or whatever it may be. I am not saying it's an easy thing to have your life photographed, recorded all day long. Most of us would look stupid if the camera followed us around but we are not in that life. If I, (as an accountant by the way) woke up and there were 50 cameras outside of my house taking photographs of me I would be shocked and embarrassed. But these celeb's know that life and also do crave the attention. There are celeb's out there who are not in media 24/7 because they don't want that kind of publicity. It is what it is. If you want that life, you gotta deal with the life style.
While celebs need to understand that some of their privacy will no longer exist, I think some of it goes too far and the media loves to blow up stories.  Just look at the Christian Bale situation.  A family argument and now he's a bad guy?  Give me a break
Why not boycott all of these celebrity based rags?  if the public stops buying, there will be no need for these mags to exist.  
The price we, regular joes, pay for not being rich and famous- we're poor, we work 2 jobs and save a life time to go on a 2 week vacation! The price the celebrities pay for getting richer and richer while, let's be honest, not doing much, is being photographed day and night. Hmmmm, what a tough choice!!!
i completely agree. privacy and anonymity are worth more to me than a million dollars. i think people who say they want to be famous have screws missing.
Some celebrities call the tabloids to let them know where their going. Some like to play cat and mouse games with the press. Celebrities are more spoiled today than ever and they expect all to jump when they say frog. They can't get the press to obey their every order and that just isn't cutting it! OMY! Honestly, many of these so called celebs haven't done a thing to even earn the title of celebrity. They just happen to be the son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandchild, etc., of someone who actually earned it! Someone who is/was a real Movie STAR. Another thing, if you don't want pics taken of you and/or your family then quit dangling the carrot in front of the press! Quit allowing "bids" on who will get that first photo.. who will be the highest bidder!!! Stop selling it! Have some pride! Alas, being a "celebrity" comes with a price. If you don't want to pay the price, get out of the business. In time we'll all forget about you.
The sad fact is that most of the films records etc are garbage  I cannot figure out how most of these celebrities got this far  it sure isn't the talent so its quite ironic that they complain about their privacy because without the paparazzi  and exposure  they would be nothing
In a world covered over in war, hunger, sickness and preventable death, how did any of this ever become a topic for the news?  I admire the work that some celebrities do - we all have our favorite movies, music, etc. - but why do so many people care what celebrities do when they AREN'T at work?  Why the sick facination?  How is any of this NEWS??  Let it go, people - get your own lives!!!


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