Bini Dahal

WHEN Bill Gates and Melinda announced they were ending their 27-year-long marriage, everyone’s attention was drawn towards the distribution of their massive property. How much would Melinda get? Did they sign prenuptials? These topics were trending more than the disastrous COVID-19. But what exactly do we get by learning about their private life? If only reading celebrity news would help me earn a penny!
We are living in an era where celebrities are worshipped like god. Reporters work day and night to collect all the juicy bits of information they can get their hands on. This is because we, as readers or viewers, enjoy and highly demand for them. We try to track their every move. They have become a part of our everyday culture.
Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates was the richest man on Earth. Now he ranks the fourth richest. Known for his excellent company, wealth and charity works, Bill is quite popular worldwide. So our perception towards him and his wife is really good. Psychologically known as the Halo effect, we have always considered them a perfect couple. The issue is we have never tried to look at them as a set of normal people whose relationship is not easy going. So, the divorce announcement was a shock for many and became a big headline.
In the past, I myself would enjoy learning about the rich and the influential celebrities. But now I question why I needed to do so. The world is too busy, too happening and too stuck in some other important issues that need our immediate attention. Yet, we believe once a person comes to limelight, we have every right to know what is going on in their lives. And many a times celebrities who keep their lives private cause disappointment among the general public.
Owing to the trend of letting the world know about everything happening, public relation offices have been created. While providing employment is really good for the economy, there are times when promotion becomes over-exaggerated. These kinds of activities can lead us to become delusional.
It is time for us to control the celebration of certain groups of influential people in our society. Let us not target them for their private lives. As sensible human beings, we should be considerate of how harmful a single toxic article can cause to the mental wellbeing of an individual we regard him/her as a celebrity. If we control these kinds of behaviour, surely the trend of showing lives to the world may stop at one point. These people have gained the position of an influencer thanks to their remarkable achievements.
Constructive criticism should always be welcomed but hateful words should not be our way of improving them. And scandalising every move they make should also be stopped. Likewise, celebrities too should advocate for matters that can help change the society in a positive way. In the time of a pandemic, researches have shown how celebrities sharing posts about vaccination in their social media led to a large group of people getting inoculated. If they have such power to change people, then why not use it to do something good? Let everyone understand and be able to differentiate between celebrating and prying!