I am confused over iconic-worshipping of celebrities that one wonders what may have influenced their incredible high-personality profiles especially if they do not make noticeable positive impact to the society and lives of the people as role models in character and characteristics.
In my PR Class at University of Westminster, an English footballer, David Beckham is always cited among other global personalities like Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, as an example of individuals whose actions and inactions are reference points for media mentions.
Until when I start to read free daily newspapers of Evening Standard, Metro and London Lite that I try to understand what really make some of the individuals more visible and recognisable: skills of their hired publicists and the power of the press. In fact some of the celebrities are just and simply media hype for commercilization and promotional stunts.
British media can be very sensationally patriotic with the way they cast their headlines and promote their brands and the people. Most of the papers have beautiful layouts and flawless in their brief narration of events… no more lengthy news items or long features… short and direct but the newsy stories focus largely on sex, crime, conflict, competition (mostly on sports) politicking, politics of welfarism and lately casualties from the War-fronts.
The publicity that caught my attention last week was on undisputable new World Boxing association (WBA) champion David Haye. He boasted with pride like an average American (even if subconsciously he doubted himself) bragging he would defeat a truly heavy Beast from the East Nikolai Valuev to become Britain’s latest world heavyweight champ. The media supported, endorsed and hailed him. But the published pictures of his extremely giant opponent, was so scary that I kept wondering who was fooling who.
Finally the day came and he won to the surprise of almost everybody.
For keeping to his words and for not disappointing the media and their readers (I am one of them) he is indeed a new genuine icon and celebrity that deserves more publicity-hype than David Beckham who I only know as a fashion-footballer and husband of gorgeously skinny Victoria, a former singer.
While some media have started campaigning to launch him into another British shining star with his good look, coherency and gait, he should not be distracted in his dream to be a great boxer. He is said to be a faithful family man who so much cares for his wife, Natasha, and young child Cassius, who live with him in his northern Cyprus hideaway. He has admitted that he wouldn’t want to be mobbed like Becks to enjoy a simple happy life.
I am also glad with his humility to move freely and exchange greeting with people when he told the press that his popularity is already increasing to the point where it becomes quite strange to himbecause of the fight. He said: “Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis are our highest-profile boxers around, but they can still go down the street. People might stop them to shake their hand, but they don’t get mobbed. David Beckham couldn’t walk down Oxford Street, it just wouldn’t happen. There would be an instant roadblock. That’s what I like about boxing, no matter how well you do, you can still have a normal life. I wouldn’t want that to change.”
With that words David Haye becomes a celebrity I can dote on… fresh, talented with a vision.
By the way, if hired publicists are paid by ambitious celebrity, do the image merchants also pay the media for photo shots and recycled news stories in the press around the paymaster? I suspect some of the paparazzis are arrangees not truly interested in the photo session just to create the HYPE… another name for propaganda. I am just confused.
YAShuaib
yashuaib
