Garland's Authenticity (Final Core Post)

Throughout history stars have been in the limelight where their private lives and careers affected, inspired and entertained the world. However, some stars pushed things a little further when dealing with controversial and sensitive cultural issues. From women’s rights to racial justice and equality, each movement throughout time has been honored and respected by many celebrities who would eventually become somewhat of an icon or ambassador of that cause; some intentionally, others not so much. 

For example, Emma Watson is an icon for women’s rights, as she was selected as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in July 2014. This humanitarian actress was a student at Brown University, however during her time there, her classmates bullied her, as they repeatedly told her that her fame from her role as Hermione Granger could not be compared to the fame her co-star Daniel Radcliffe received; that she was the shadow of a male actor. Although hurt by the bullying, Watson continued to finish her time at Brown University, gaining strength from this discrimination against her gender, and directed her strength and efforts into attaining a position at the UN, representing women everywhere. 

Judy Garland is also considered an icon, but a gay icon. She was known as “The Elvis of homosexuals” due to the fact that she was an icon among gay men who admired her ability to perform. However, the LGBT’s adoration of Garland stemmed from her personal struggles as well as her diva-esque and over-the-top personality and confidence. Garland struggled through a lot in her past, including her marriage to Minnelli who married her to conceal his sexuality. Although this was deteriorating her image as a star, the LGBT community could relate to her personal struggles, as they mirrored their struggle fitting into society with Judy Garland’s struggle to keep an esteemed image as a star. Past struggles can either make or break a person, yet through perseverance and dedication comes a great outcome and a following that could last a lifetime. 

Today, many members of the LGBT community believe and look up to Beyonce as a diva, queen, fashion icon and role model. Her journey to success wasn’t easy but she remained true to herself, her image and her fans. The LGBT community can relate to that sense of authenticity because they simply want to be who they were born to be, no matter what! Hence they are inspired by those in the media who, against all odds, stay true to themselves!!

Hepburn & Hathaway: Building & Maintaining Images of Class {Nadine Watar: Post #3}

The integration of media has rapidly expanded throughout the past decade where all aspects of media have intertwined, weaving our minds and souls along with its strands. We base our existence on the mere fact that everything must be recorded, uploaded and shared through devices of all shapes and sizes. Yet media wasn't that much different a few decades ago. The medium wasn't as advanced of course, but it did help shape, reinforce and even exploit stars at that time, as the media does today. Superstars like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn were all famous for their different iconic roles and characters in Hollywood, yet what really made them global phenomenons were their personal lives that were presented in the media for so long, to the point where their private personas began to compete with their careers onscreen. 

In his book Stardom, Thomas Harris describes the importance of a star's image, both onscreen and off and how image was and still is a dominant and significant factor in an actor's career. Hence, Harris further states that a "star becomes a symbol to an unseen mass audience whose only contract with him/her is through the indirect means of the media". Both Monroe and Kelly gained international success from their movie careers as well as their personal engagements, marriages and royal affairs, yet they stayed true to the characters and personalities they wanted to be known for. For instance, Kelly's onscreen persona was always poised, lady-like and elegant, and these traits were only amplified when she would step off camera and onto Monaco's royal grounds, her heels dripping class and finesse. 

Another star who was known for her talents as well as her classy ways was Audrey Hepburn. She emerged as the stereotypical quirky and shy actress who soon blossomed into a talented actress and fashion icon. Her private life mirrored her career as it only progressed and landed on every magazine, advertisement and conversation. She was a rising star but never allowed it to deter her from her morals of being an elegant and sophisticated English woman. Her film roles depicted characters of status, education and intelligence that complimented her true personality offscreen. She was in fact extremely educated and influential as a humanitarian. The studios were more than happy with this star because of her efforts in maintaining consistency between her two lives. 

Despite being a fragile and slim willow of a woman, Audrey Hepburn commanded any stage she graced. Her presence illuminated the essence of poise, class and wholeness that was consistent throughout her years. Today, Anne Hathaway embodies Hepburn's sparkle, versatile talents and red carpet glamor. Both Hepburn and Hathaway began their careers through wholesome roles and slowly moved to more challenging and mature roles with an ocean of depth. Yet neither one steered away from their true genuine, "elegant" and "reserved" qualities and features. Hathaway also started out as the quirky and different Disney star who matured elegantly without sexualizing herself like other ex-Disney personas (dreaded Miley Cyrus example). Her roles were more realistic and challenging as the years progressed, yet Hathaway's image offscreen kept on reflecting positively. Even when her ex-boyfriend brought her shock and shame after being convicted for defrauding investors and her face featured on the news and printed on every magazine and newspaper, she kept her poise and took time off away from the spotlight. With these turmoils, she was never caught doing something that could jeopardize her image, especially due to the fact that all eyes were on her, including the FBI!

It takes a true talented individual to be able to balance their personal life and career where the image is consistent, honest and true. And I believe that Hathaway's journey has only just begun... 

Kylie Jenner: The Queen of Conspicuous Consumption {Nadine Watar: Post #1}

Stardom has always been defined, promoted and enhanced by lifestyle. Some stars know how to balance their careers and their private lives, where others struggle in finding the blurred lines that separate the two. Images seen on television or magazines had always tried to depict or promote a sense or version of The American Dream, that focused on the ideas of originality, success and consumption. (pg.35) Yet, throughout the years, this dream has expanded to form various branches of alternate fantasies. 

My weekend encounter was quite epic in some ways and awkward in others. I was at the grove with my cousins enjoying a simple well deserved meal and was heading towards my black G wagon, when two young girls approached us and started pointing and whispering. One of them then yelled out “that’s definitely Kylie! Look at her blue tips and her car!!” I hadn’t noticed the commotion until my cousin pointed out that the two girls thought I was Kylie Jenner! At first, it was a flattering and mesmerizing feeling to have been mistaken for someone so famous and popular and talked about, I mean, being compared to any star at first is a unique feeling in its own. Yet after reality smacked me twice I figured the sensation was steering towards a more negative light. Kylie Jenner had always been living in the shadows of her famed and notorious sisters, yet after a few pumps of Botox to the cheeks and lips and an Instagram page that looks like it has stolen images from Playboy, Kylie emerged from the dark and used both her quirky and oversexualized persona to gain fame and success, as well as a community of millennials who want to be just like her. Her fame and glory has only grown with the rebellious and too-mature-for-her-own-good lifestyle that embodies the idealistic notion and materials of consumption as a sense of living the dream! 

Furthermore, I’d personally say Kylie Jenner is both a key representative and victim of Dyer’s description of "conspicuous consumption". Stars in the early 1900s were glorified and famed for their achievements, journeys and struggles in working their way up to success and viewed as "idols of production". Unfortunately, in today’s society, the shift in lifestyle priorities that focus around the notion of materialism and selfishness has given birth to a number of stars who are known for what they have instead of how they got it. Dyer furthermore describes these "idols of consumption" as materialistic socialites who form somewhat of a hobby of showcasing and displaying their wealth for all the world to see, and, best of all, don't even have to work for it! (pg.38)

Kylie Jenner is mostly famous for what she has, attracting other girls, both young and old to reflect upon her and admire to be like her, looking upon her rebellious lifestyle, fashion statements and personal materials for inspiration and ultimate goals. Yet, unfortunately, she has no true star quality because she has no unique talent or career that outshines and gives her any true worth. So what does this mean and what really is a star quality these days? Both my encounter at the grove and Dyer’s main point proves that stars today are more recognized for who they are and how they live rather than what they’ve achieved through their talents. So why couldn’t I have been mistaken for a woman like Amal Clooney or a doctor who saves lives? The answer is simple…