Celebrities’ drug addictions rarely surprise me anymore, but the way that celebrity publicists handle situations in media usually does. It’s always a disappointment when we see the celebrities whom we have grown up with fall into the Hollywood drug trap. Photos of droopy-eyed Lindsay Lohan and inebriated Britney Spears have grazed the pages of popular magazines. Most recently, Britney’s little sis has possibly planted a new 16-year-old prego trend. Celebrities’ actions inevitably create public messages – some not so good. Publicists are constantly mopping up the rumors behind some celebrities’ poor decisions.
How many times have we seen celebrities deny and justify their behaviors? With almost every excuse, celebs earn infinite criticism. On a happy note, celebrity reputation crises have the potential and the power to transform into positive public relations campaigns. Publicists could turn the lessons that celebrities learn into powerful messages for fans. Plus, fans are more likely to cut a celebrity a break when it’s well-deserved. When they admit to their problems and serve as ambassadors for change, public figures help themselves and struggling fans.
Heath Ledger’s death has stunned Hollywood and his fans. Many of his fans had no idea he’d ever laid his hands on a drug, but the way that media has sugar-coated up his abuse of pills surprises me. Why do media hide a possible addiction that has taken a life? Is it more beneficial to hide it? Maybe the legendary actor’s unfortunate death sparks eye-opening PR. Celebrities are lucky to have the ability to utilize media, and hopefully the recent event will push them to use their public power to positively influence us fans.
Photo Credit: http://www.cnn.com
2 Comments
February 6, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I think you bring up a really interesting point here and I’d like to see you go more into depth with other circumstances that this may apply to.
However, I would be careful about making judgments that aren’t necessarily true. Heath’s death was ruled accidental by the coroner and the pills he was taking were for legit reasons. It might hurt your argument if your facts aren’t straight.
Interesting topic.
February 7, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I apologize if my explanation was too brief. My judgment was referring to Dr. Drew Pinsky’s comment on PageSix.com that a pair of European sleeping pills police found in Ledger’s room called Zoplicone and Donormul were “an extraordinary and excessive combination” when combined with the Ambien, Xanax, Valium they also found. The drug specialist pointed out that abuse was the likely cause. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your input.