The relationship between the public and celebrities is a tenuous one. Many aspire to be like stars, but don't necessarily view them as role models. However, readers feel that this does influence people's lifestyle choices such as dieting.
Interestingly, our poll results show people place a high cumulative emphasis on talent and character as opposed to looks. We present the debate that evaluates the pros and cons of this.
Today's society is completely focused on celebrity culture
The idea itself has been given so much importance that we now have people debating on it! That's the price we pay for commercialisation. Most of us want to emulate famous people or the trends they set but can we really blame celebrity culture for the choices we make as an individual? Think about it, we have the freedom of choice and it solely depends on an individual to choose what he or she wants to be. So, let's stop playing the blame game.
Candida D'Souza
Dubai
The modern era is celebrities' era. No more do we know or remember who has received the Nobel Prize for peace or who has produced the best cure for a human disease. We know what the media and their bestsellers tell us about celebrities. Why people follow them is because of the way media presents them. I think this celebrity culture is actually media culture, where most of the time the media presents its
bestselling commodities as larger than life.
Mohammad Adeel Khan
Dubai
No I do not think so. Probably we talk about celebrities for a few minutes when we are free and relaxing at home, but not for long. Also, we are always busy with work. I do not think that it is true. Maybe we have passed that age where people are obsessed with celebrities.
Ali Riza
Sharjah
No, I mean people have their own styles and do not necessarily care about what celebrities do or look like. I don't think there is a focus on celebrity culture.
Steven Han
Dubai
When celebrities make bad lifestyle choices like drugs, a lot of youngsters want to do the same
Yes, I think so. There are so many people who start smoking because they see other celebrities messing up their lives and smoking, too. Yes, I believe some would actually start taking drugs because a celebrity they like does the same. People could think it's cool to do that!
Vinita Sheth
Dubai
Undoubtedly, most teenagers and young adults look up to celebrities as role models. I have seen that they are
highly influenced in a city. However, the adoration for celebrities lacks depth and cognition of what it takes to be famous. And media plays a prominent role in promoting this “celebrity culture''.
Mohammad Sageer
Dubai
Yes, I think teenagers especially get affected. Those they love usually influence them. Girls start putting on make-up and dressing up and sometimes boys take up smoking to look manly. The same happens with celebrities. Teenagers like to imitate. Best example, if an actor gets a new hair cut, in less than two days you will see people getting the same cut, too.
Hasan Sulaiman
Dubai
Yes, because teenagers mostly follow what celebrities do. They may take drugs or smoke because they think if a celebrity can, then why can't they? Also, many do it
because they want to be like the celebrities.
Jacky Lindsey
England
People diet because they want to look more like a famous person
I guess this is true, but it also depends on each individual. There is a lot of pressure on women and young girls these days to look perfect, thin and beautiful - just like the celebrities. To a certain extent some women go very far to look like celebrities. Some, however, don't, which is why I think it is up to each person to decide.
Sana Farajallah
Sharjah
Yes, I think this is true. Many people want the perfect body and celebrities always look perfect no matter what. However, in the end I think it is up to the person to get influenced or not. Mufeeda Abdullah
Abu Dhabi
No I don't think so. Maybe some do, but mostly people do it to stay fit. As a mother I want to look fit because I also want my children to follow suit. No I don't think celebrities have an effect.
Nadia Palin
Dubai
I don't think this is true. There are so many people out there who really don't do it because a celebrity is looking thin or beautiful. Some people just do it to stay fit. I don't think celebrities have much of an influence.
Aswathy Pillai
Dubai
People donate more to charitable causes when celebrities are involved
Yes, of course. When celebrities are involved more people are interested to join in and donate. For example, if Indian filmstar Amitabh Bachchan is involved in a charity, many will be eager to get involved.
Puneet Natwarlal
Dubai
Yes I think so, because the participation of a celebrity in a charity might make it look more genuine for people, so they trust it and donate more.
Shwan Pinto
Dubai
Yes, I think just the presence of a celebrity at charity events will make people more interested and donate more. Celebrities are simply there to sell the events to the public.
Abhijeet Nair
Sharjah
Not really. I think if you want to donate to a charity, you do not really need a celebrity to do it. If someone wants to donate money for a cause, he or she can just do it without looking if there is a celebrity involved or not. I don't think people donate more if a celebrity is around!
Ayman Al Kurdi
Dubai
