Spotlight on Tragedy

I would love to have a career in the entertainment world, but I have often thought to myself “at what price would this career come?” I enjoy the crowds and being around a group of people every once in a while everyone wants/needs some alone time for one reason or another. I do believe that the words “celebrity privacy” has become somewhat of an oxymoron. So, should one assume that in order to have a life of fame and worldwide recognition a person makes the conscious decision to open themselves up to every aspect of their lives no matter how intimate they are? Some would answer yes and others would respond no. Me, I’m a bit torn.

Take for instance the recent tragedy that occurred with Jennifer Hudson. Her mother, brother, and nephew were shot and killed a little more than two months ago. The estranged husband of Hudson’s sister was charged with the murders. Ever since the murders, reporters have been swarming around Hudson trying to get the perfect shot that showcases just the right amount of sorrow. To me, she did not have time to grieve privately because the whole world was watching. And what did the world seem to want to know the most – if Hudson would make it through this and regain her position among Hollywood’s elite. In “Jennifer Hudson’s Return to the Spotlight,” Marc Malkin was more than happy to “exclusively tell you that Ms. Hudson will return to the stage for the first time since her horrific family tragedy…” He then goes on to list what appearances she is rumored to make in the next coming weeks and you can tell he takes pride in this “exclusive” news. Makes you wonder if he cares more about the heartache Hudson has overcome or the promotion he is sure to get soon if his connections keep him abreast of all the latest news.

In this case, Hudson should have been given complete privacy. Yes, when a person makes the choice to step into the spotlight every aspect of their life is magnified and they will know it. If one strand of hair is out of place when leaving a hotel they must have been sleeping with someone or if one bump on their lip appears they automatically have herpes. It is the life of a celebrity. They are placed on a pedestal as the role model of role models and they know it. So yes, it becomes a trade off of sorts. But some things are just sacred and should be left alone. The triple murder is one of them. Sure, you can report on what happened and give an update when new information becomes available, but to constantly talk about her grief does nothing for her. Maybe she wanted to watch some television to get away from what was happening. That would have been pointless because for weeks she was all over the news. Yes, there are fans and people feel for her they knew nothing about Hudson to stand in masses outside of the funeral of her family. Let that time be for the real family and friends.

Yes, celebrities put themselves in the spotlight but I sometimes think we forget that they are real people made of the same flesh and blood as the rest of us. Just as we grieve, have joy, fight, and have relationships that don’t work, so do they. It is okay to look at them as role models and wonder what their life is really like but until we learn to establish a much needed line, celebrity privacy will prove to be one of the biggest oxymoron out there.