Why does a celebrities personal life tarnish their career?

[Poop Master Flex]

The answer I feel is pretty simple, when people often look at these celebrities they can often get attached to them and are often disappointed when the celebrities go astray and do things that your average joe doesn't agree with. Although you don't have to agree with what a celebrity does in their personal life why does it have to tarnish what they do for you in front of the camera or on the radio? In short, IT DOESN'T.

This all started with my cousin last weekend when we had a debate over who was the better Price is Right host, Bob Barker or Drew Carey. He told me that Drew was better because he was good as a host but a better person where Bob wasn't a great person off camera. My argument was simple, Bob's personal life has NOTHING to do with what he does on the camera and the truth is when it comes to game show hosting Bob is probably the greatest of all time and is a HUGE reason why The Price is Right is often considered the greatest game show of all time.

Now this is something I have wondered for years, why do people care SO MUCH about what these people do in their regular lives, the way I look at it is these people aren't gods or dieties, they are fallible human beings just like the rest of us. I hear more people care about Tiger Woods cheating then they do if their own brother does which I think is absurd (and for the record, yes I have seen that exact situation happen).

Personally, I don't think a celebrity/wrestler/sport's hero's personal life should ever detract from what a person thinks about them in regards to their profession. You may not have to agree with their personal decisions but you can still respect what they do for their profession, if you have a fantastic boss but he cheated on his wife does that mean he is somehow a worse boss? Of course it doesn't.

The best example I can think of is this. Growing up my favorite actor (still to this day) is Arnold Schwarzenegger and I had a few close friends who felt the same way. After he stopped being the Governator and his personal issue came to light my friends stopped supporting this guy because of what he did, for myself he is STILL my favorite actor. Frankly I don't give 2 shits what he does in his personal life, it's none of my business, it doesn't take away from him being one of the true great action stars, the fact that he starred in my favorite movies or the fact that he made himself into something coming to America with only 10 bucks in his pocket. I still find all of that very inspirational that a man can come here with NOTHING and acquire EVERYTHING, Arnold is the American Dream personified and even though he fucked up (who hasn't) he is still one of my heroes and my favorite actor (BTW, his personal life has zero to do with him being my favorite actor, I just always loved his movies and cheesy action dialogue).

So anyways that's how I feel but what does everyone else think? Do you think:

1) A celebrity or any person in the media's personal life should tarnish what they have done in front of the camera?

2) Do you let a celebrities personal life detract from the enjoyable work they have given you in the past or present?

For myself I think both is a resounding NO but I've already given my piece, what does everyone else think, as always all responses are welcome just back up your decisions

 

[Dagger Dias]

I personally think that celebrities should be role models. What they do in their personal time is their own choice and I will not tell them how to live their lives. The fact of the matter is that people do look up to them. When someone looks up to you then you should make it a point to try to set a good example since they will follow your lead either way. Celebrities' careers should not get tarnished by their personal life choices. We all make mistakes. Unfortunately we live in a world that is drawn to controversies and anytime a celebrity screws up it will be known worldwide because people are that interested in it. I try to not let their mistakes prevent me from enjoying their work. It is their job to portray a character, one that often has nothing to do with their actual selves.

 

[#hamler]

Me personally, I couldn't give two shits less. Examples like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Charlie Sheen and even Michael Jackson have done (or been accused) of some shitty things in their life. Yet, I still am able to love and watch these guys religiously. Cases like Chris Benoit make me think about what they've done whenever I watch them so I tend to stay away from a lot of his matches. I personally don't give a shit but I can totally see why others do and they aren't wrong for doing so. We as a society hold celebrities on a higher level then our neighbors and celebs know that. They are in the spotlight. They have followers. They are often looked up to. If Barney is out buying coke then I certainly wouldn't want my kids watching him. He's talented yeah but I do believe what you do in your personal life does have an effect on people especially if you're a celebrity who is looked up to.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

I personally think that celebrities should be role models. What they do in their personal time is their own choice and I will not tell them how to live their lives. The fact of the matter is that people do look up to them. When someone looks up to you then you should make it a point to try to set a good example since they will follow your lead either way. Celebrities' careers should not get tarnished by their personal life choices. We all make mistakes. Unfortunately we live in a world that is drawn to controversies and anytime a celebrity screws up it will be known worldwide because people are that interested in it. I try to not let their mistakes prevent me from enjoying their work. It is their job to portray a character, one that often has nothing to do with their actual selves.

I can understand your point of view but is it the celebrities problem that people pretty much worship and look up to them? The fact of the matter is they aren't asking for people to look up to them and just because some people do doesn't mean they should, they are just celebrities after all. Outside of the fact their profession is more mainstream then myself they are still human beings after all, if people look up to myself that's all fine and good (although I doubt anyone does) but I don't feel any obligation to set a good example for those people. At the end of the day I live my life how I choose and its the problem of everyone else if they don't agree with what I do, if I mess up at the end of the day I'm only hurting myself (well at this point anyways) not anyone who may look up to me.

I guess the way I look at is kind of like horse racing, if a person bets on a losing horse (in this case a celebrity who makes bad decisions) it's their fault, not the horse, sure the horse didn't win the race but they didn't ask to be bet on.

Of course its the persons prerogative to look up to a celebrity and there is no problem with that but it doesn't mean that celebrity should go out of their way to be a goody 2 shoes because of the people who look up to them.

 

[jmt225]

I think people only really bitch about someone's personal life when they let it affect their professional life.

Take Jeff Hardy for instance. No one would give a damn how much drugs he was on if he consistently showed up to work and gave us great matches/promos. However, since his problems have sometimes led to him quitting or not being able to complete, he's unfairly labeled as a piece of shit junkie, whereas if he did the exact same things in his personal life and it was public knowledge he did it, but never once missed a show or caused a controversy, then him doing drugs would hardly ever be mentioned.

The same goes for musicians, actors, and even athletes. Nobody really cares what they do in their personal life as long as it doesn't take the enjoyment out of what they do professionally. That's a fact. What your friend said about Barker was simply just a way to justify his position on the matter as he just didn't have a better argument for you. But deep down, he doesn't give a shit about Bob Barker's personal life... he just likes Drew Carey more as a host and made up a bullshit excuse as to why, which is something a wrestling fan would do if you asked who was a better wrestler between Jeff Hardy and John Cena (and that's with the example I gave above assuming we lived in a World where Hardy's drug problems hadn't affected his career).

 

[Mustang Sally]

.... but is it the celebrities problem that people pretty much worship and look up to them?

I feel as you do, but the fact is that many, many people care enormously how their celebrities live. If the celebs want to maintain their lofty status, they had better be concerned with what the public wants.

Here's a rather silly example, but it pertains: When Jennifer Aniston of "Cheers" showed up on TV with a unique hairdo, women all over the country were rushing to their hairdressers, saying: "I want to look like her."

Really Really? Is that your greatest goal in life? Is that what you actually aspire to.....to emulate someone else so you can feel good about yourself?"

Well, the fact is, that's exactly the case, so keeping the good opinion of their public is something a celebrity must worry about.....that is, if they enjoy earning gobs of money and being famous in a way none of us regular folks can imagine.

All this extends to a celebrity's moral and personal habits, too. They want to be seen, right? Well, they have to realize that if they do, their actions are subject to scrutiny and the choices they make can help them or hurt them.

A lot of this stems from the media. Take politics. The press blistered President Clinton for his extramarital "exercises." People might say: "Well, of course. Who wants a President who cheats on his wife?"

Well, many Presidents did just that, but in the past, the people of the press who covered the White House simply didn't report that kind of thing. Their logic centered more on what the OP proposed; what's the difference in his performance as President whether he fools around or not?

The fact is, it makes no difference. In today's world, though, the House of Representatives impeached the guy for having lied to Congress about whether or not he had an affair in the White House.

Can you imagine how this is going to look in the history books used by junior high students 50 years from now? They'll read about Presidents vital decisions through the years, involving important political, social and economic issues. We'll read about foreign policy matters that changed the face of the world.

And what are these 7th graders going to read when they come to the section about President Clinton? They'll be reading that he was almost thrown out of office because he lied when asked if he had oral sex with a girl in the Oval Office, for God's sake. (Yes, I presume the wording will be slightly altered)............but, you know what? I would have lied to Congress, too.....because the damn issue should never have been raised in the first place. People should care more about his performance in politics than with the zipper on his pants.

Does a celebrity's personal life tarnish their career? You bet it does.

It shouldn't, but it does......and as long as this is what the public cares about, the celebrity had better be mindful of it.

 

[SD619]

Does a celebrity's personal life tarnish their career? You bet it does.

It shouldn't, but it does......

I have to say that the above quote pretty sums the topic.

Public scrutiny is a part of being a celebrity. It may not be ideal, but it happens. A celebrity is judged upon as a complete package and that includes their professional as well as personal life.

For example, when people compare Roger Federer(Tennis player) and Tiger Woods(Golfer), many will say that Federer is a better sportsperson, despite the fact that their professional accomplishments are almost the same and their impact on their respective sports are equally great. But in the context of their personal life,Federer contributes a lot to charity, has no skeletons in his closet and in short is the ideal celebrity. Tiger, on the other hand has had major and well-covered personal issues. These personal issues do weigh in on peoples mind and often influence their judgment of the celebrity.