Celebrity Obsession

1) Identity-- Here an individual identifies with a particular celebrity. This is the image and personality he or she would like to be in the imagination. Even the meek and downtrodden can dream of being Bruce Willis or Sylvester Stallone defeating the bad guys in high style. How many coming of age baby boomers wished they were Elvis, a Beatle--or Ann Margaret?

2) Diversion-- Psychologists know that a depressed individual will become less so when he or she can focus on some outer experience, any neutral or pleasant experience that breaks the obsession with self. Although most celebrity seekers are not depressed, this plays into the celebrity centered life. It's pleasurable for the individual to see images of very attractive and well known stars and it's a break from day-to-day routine activities. Next