As much as it pains me to admit, there is one celebrity that immediately comes to mind when talking about media manipulation. The Queen of media: Kim Kardashian (and family). The family relies entirely on the media to maintain interest in their family thus giving them celebrity status.
Now Kim isn't a typical celebrity by most standards. She doesn't have a commercial or runway body structure for the fashion industry. She is a self labeled "celebrity personality". The Kardashians are great at making lemonade out of whatever they're given. The Kardashians have used Kim (and Khloe)'s weight to support healthy body image in women. The mother, Kris, used her bladder problem which was the center focus of an episode about accepting old age to score an endorsement deal with Poise pads. Ironically, both Kris and her husband Bruce are notorious for their face freezing botox. Kim attempted to use her celebrity status to break into the acting scene and music business, both which failed. She has been more successful as a guest star on several dramas and sitcoms (although most shows use her appearance as a joke or punch line)—such as How I Met Your Mother "Benefits"where Kim is "the girl who they can never remember why she is famous". Because the truth is, no one really does. Through their mix of connections, media, luck, and lots of manipulation, this family is considered a "celebrity family".
The family was origianlly famous because of father Robert Kardashian, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe's deceased father, famous for representing O.J. Simpson. However Kim's fame came in 2004 after she was hired as a stylist for the R&B singer Brandy. During that time, a sex tape of Kim and Ray J, Brandy's brother and famous singer, was leaked putting Kim's name in blogs and tabloids. After that, Kim dated several NFL players, did a spread in Playboy, and was seen around with Paris Hilton, all making more tabloid headlines (along with financing the Kardashian lifestyle). In 2007, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, originally focused on Kim and her career, aired on E!. They have since gone on to create spin offs Khloe and Lamar, Khloe and Kourtney take Miami and Kourtney and Kim Take New York as well as the special 4 hour event for Kim's wedding to Kris Humphries.
Since 2007, the Kardashian show has changed drastically. Although always absurd, the family's attempt at playing up 'family traditions' and 'good morals' has increased significantly, with episodes where Kendell donates toys to charity or Kim meets with a girl who's "Make a Wish" is to meet Kim Kardashian. The way the show is edited labels and makes each Kardashian into a separate character type. Now each episode is structured on "family values" and appreciating their family. They even use their show to clear up rumors about them—such as Kim's alleged butt implants.
Over the years, Kim went from scandalous sex tape girl stylist to a big hearted, hopeless romantic, celebrity personality doing endorsements and front covers. The sister's have transformed this little scandal into their entire lifestyle. Being outrageous is what brings their audience back every week. They're paid for each tabloid photo taken. Kourtney and Scott got paid recently to sit poolside while a paparazzi snapped photos of them on vacation. Word is, the two have an exclusive deal with US Weekly for the scoop and photo of their new baby. With Khloe's quick wedding to Laker, Lamar Odem, and Kourtney's scndalous baby daddy drama, celebrity gossip blogs, shows, and tabloids can't get enough of these girls. Kris, the matriach, is even trying to exploit her two younger daughters from second marriage olympian Bruce Jenner, into carrying on the legacy (and paycheck).
All the Kardashians use twitter to promote their brands, endorsements, and maintain interest in their show. The show is what got the Kardashians the status they have now. Social media makes it much easier to be a celebrity. Facebook is one of the ways Kim's co-owned business ShoeDazzle advertises to a young adult audience. Social media like facebook is the ultimate gossip chain which keeps ridiculous celebrities drama alive. Without cable and social media, Kim Kardashian would have burned out years ago. Because of all these mediums, society has completely redefined 'celebrity'. Back in the day, I would have thought celebrity would be famous for a reason—like a television or movie star or famous athlete. Kim Kardashian has no specific talent (sorry Kim). She's created an empire based on gossip around her. Which I admit, I have to give her credit for.
Summary: Media and press are 100% responsible for the Kardashians being a household name. It's a vicious cycle: Media itself makes them famous and media then pays for them to be famous. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Kardashians but when I sit down to think about how they maintain their lives—like selling the first photo of your baby to a tabloid—I really feel like I shouldn't love them so much.
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