The force of celebrities is undeniable. They sell magazines, papers and they also prompt us all to turn on and tune in everyday. They have an impact on the clothes consumers wear, the shampoo we use as well as the foods people buy, or do not. Exactly what, then, is the purpose of the celebrity speaker in this undoubtedly celebrity obsessed culture? Surely the countless more subtle endorsements, or rather the more conventional kinds, like TV advertisements and the like, are enough of an invasion into and influence on our lives without the famed turning celebrity speaker at all sorts of things from political rallies, to shop openings to charity dinners?
The celebrity speaker is more and more prevalent and potent. Whether or not it be of their own accord or as a result of a generous hire payment, it’s more common than ever to see some public figure or other at events. Prominent examples of celebs becoming speaker are that of Bob Geldoff and his army of celebrity crusaders with a conscience, using their celebrity and influence to boost awareness of the predicament of the starving.
More recently than that, celebrity speakers happen to have been spotted playing more of a political part. Take Jamie Oliver and his one-man battle on processed foods and even more recently there was the case of Arlene Phillips getting into governmental politics as the dance tsar.
Whether we like it or not, then, the celebrity speaker is even bigger now than ever before. Not anymore do celebs simply influence trend and beauty; today’s celebrity speaker has a legitimate message. What place for the celebrity speaker? The young look up to celebrities and in many cases the more grown up people amongst us must admit to being a tad fascinated with what they have to talk about. Their popularity is attractive and they are role models, regardless of whether we like it or not. So if the celebrity speaker will be able to push forward a charity’s cause, send a clear message to boost the country’s health or perhaps stir up a little involvement in politics, then certainly they have got a place. And not only a purpose: a duty, to make use of their influence conscientiously.
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