While looking at the New York Times, I could have gone to the front page and created a discussion on the ramifications of the Attorney General retiring, or an even more heated debate on the war in Iraq, but as a journalism student emphasizing in Public Relations, that is not what first catches my eye.
I aspire to get involved with the entertainment industry as a PR professional or publicist. I am interested in the influence celebrities have on this nation and how their lives are becoming more watched than the political concerns of the country. Many “serious journalists” find this fact appalling and will try to fight this with national news. Though I congratulate them in their effort, I find myself being pulled into the ever-growing entertainment industry as a Christian influence in the area that has undeniably become a huge part of the American culture.
My biggest concern in Hollywood is the influence that these select few have on young America: the still impressionable future of the country. This is why my mind is immediately attracted to the story about Hilary Duff “Amid All The Cheers, A Few Signs of Change,” written by Kelefa Sanneh for the Arts section.
So, why choose to comment on a music review? It is not an article, it is opinion, but it does not merely examine what songs she sings well, or doesn’t, Sanneh is looking at Duff’s fans and changing influence.
Sanneh is very correct in saying that “Ms. Duff’s music is much better than it might be, and much better than it needs to be… earning trebly screams that probably would have been just as loud if she had been reciting her life story, putting on a fashion show or doing jumping jacks.” Her fans are not concerned with her singing voice being exemplary; they are merely excited to be in the same room with her.
As Daniel Boorstin said in his 1992 book, “The Image”, a celebrity is simply someone who is “known for his well-knowness.” That is certainly true here. Young preteens and teens, like much of America, are amazed by the pure sight of a celebrity. With so much excitement and attention to these people, the influence in young peoples’ lives must be immense. Everything they do, whether admirable or not, will be taken in.
Senneh worries about Duff’s influence as she is “onstage in shinny short-shorts and high heels, singing songs that sounded kind of like sexy robot music or something,” while some are just happy that she has not turned out like Lindsay Lohan. Ross Raihala of the Pioneer (Minn.) Press titled a recent piece “Hilary Duff proves to be the anit-Lindsay Lohan.
No article on Duff can ignore the fact that she is loosing popularity as the next generation of Disney Channel Stars takes the spotlight. As Senneh puts it, Duff “must know that her empire is under siege from newer tween juggernauts such as Hannah Montana and “High School Musical.” These are the celebrities that are really having the influence. Though Duff’s appearances have a good following, many of the dates in Miley Cyrus’ Hannah Montana/Meet Miley Cyrus Tour sold out in minutes (Cooper, Peter, “’Hannah Montana’ breaks hearts with less than 15-minute sellout”, Tennessean), and “High School Musical 2” broke records with it’s 17.2 premiere viewers (“High School Musical 2’ Already A Mega Hit”, CBS).
This new set of Disney Channel stars seems to be the cleanest of them all. The cast of “High School Musical,” with a median age of 21, is the same age of Lindsay Lohan, and yet you do not see them on the cover of tabloids for excessive partying and DUIs. Ramin Setoodeh makes this comparison in the Newsweek article titled “Growing Pains.”
The Disney Channel is producing celebrities for the younger generation to grow up with, creating role models with better standards. Just a few years ago, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake were the idols of the preteens; their scantily clad bodies and sexed up dance moves and lyrics are far from the squeaky clean presence of Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdale and Zac Efron.
Though no one can say they will not change for the worst, for now, preteens are doing pretty well.
