by: Nan Buti
Staff Reporter
Celebrities’ inadequate decisions should not affect their abilities to be our role models. We as their fans should look up to these influential mega figures of fame. Dead or alive, celebrities who have publicly made minor or major mistakes should not be judged antagonistically. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Amy Winehouse are major celebrities who have recently passed away. Their deaths have all been due to the use of drugs. These celebrities were and still are icons in the modern world of music and talent. They have sacrificed time and energy by contributing to charities and numerous events. Michael Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest due to drug abuse, was a pop star, dancer, singer, and songwriter whose notoriety was so great that he has been named “The King of Pop.” Whitney Houston, who died of possible drug overdose, contributed to many events particularly by gloriously singing the National Anthem at football games. English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse died at just 27 from alcohol poisoning.
Although they all died of drugs, Jackson, Houston, and Winehouse were subjects of the pressure being put on them by society. They made personal mistakes that the world looked at with shame yet forgave. They were put on pedestals and praised for their achievements. They are all, in fact, role models that are looked up to despite mistakes they made that tinted their streaks of success as well as saddened the hearts of their fans.
Brittany Murphy and Anna Nicole Smith also passed away as a result of their misusages of drugs and alcohol. Brittany Murphy’s surprising death at just 32 was due to pneumonia combined with drug intoxications. Well-known actress Anna Nicole Smith died of lethal doses of drugs.
These celebrities have all had proper funerals and memorials set up in commemoration of their legendary presences. All have worked and associated with many other famous figures including the President of the United States. Their experiences show us how crucial their roles in society were and still are. Being global figures, these stars gained them wealth and success. Their prominent personalities hammered out the media’s negative speculations on them based on their mistakes.
Some stars of today who have been judged based upon their bad decisions include Lindsay Lohan, Michael Phelps, Miley Cyrus, and Charlie Sheen. The negative controversy with pop star and actress Lindsay Lohan’s reputation is no exception. She has gained millions of dedicated fans and superior fame. Michael Phelps, known as “The Baltimore Bullet” and “The Flying Fish,” has it all; he’s a superhuman with numerous Olympic swimming records. How did he ruin his mighty status? He smoked tobacco and drove under the influence – another bad decision that brought him corrupt fortune. Miley Cyrus has achieved worldwide fame as an actress and singer. The media made several of her eye-catching mistakes public. Although the mistakes of many of these celebrities were foolish, one tiny action of disgrace will shape people’s opinions of the stars. This perspective is completely mistaken. Charlie Sheen, a notorious actor, abused cocaine. These celebrities influence us because we aspire to be like them. Whether one is the President, a musician, or an Olympic athlete, he or she affects our daily life decisions. Making one bad decision can negatively impact our lives, but we should not dwell over this error all of our lives. The megastars of yesterday, today, and tomorrow will always be remembered and should always be looked up to because of their status in society.
These celebrities have all committed wild actions, but they should not be judged. They are all just humans and will go to extremes in order to fulfill their desires or others’ requests. I believe that society does put pressure on these stars. We need to realize that their small mistakes do not outweigh their contributions to the entertainment industry.
