A conversation in the OmniStar Philosophers Thinktank, better known as the kitchen, was sparked by a simple question: Why do people idolize celebrities?
People idolize celebrities for a bunch of reasons, and honestly, it’s a weird mix of psychology, culture, and just plain old human nature.
For one, celebrities are everywhere. Movies, TV, social media—they’re in our faces all the time. The more we see someone, the more familiar they feel, and our brains start treating them like friends, even though we’ve never met them. That’s called a “parasocial relationship”—one-sided, but it can feel real.
Secondly, there is a kind of wish fulfillment at play, often fueled by envy or jealousy. Celebrities often seem to have the lives we crave money, beauty, talent, influence. Idolizing them lets us imagine what it would be like to live that way, or to be recognized and praised. At times, it’s about escapism—focusing on their drama so we don’t have to think about our own.
The third layer of celebrity obsession is the social angle. Talking about celebrities is an easy way to bond with other people. Whether it’s sharing the latest gossip, bonding over a favorite musician, or debating the greatest player in a sport, it creates instant conversation starters.
Looking at history, humans have always looked up to people who stand out—kings, warriors, storytellers. Celebrities are just the modern version of that. They’re symbols of what our culture values at any given moment, whether that’s athletic skill, beauty, creativity, or just being entertaining.
Let’s be real for a moment: celebrity culture is engineered to hook us. Magazines, reality TV, and social media all profit from making stars seem larger than life. The more invested we get, the more we watch, click, and buy. In fact, there is a whole industry working to keep us addicted.
Of course, idolizing celebrities, or for that matter, anyone, can be “good” or “bad.” Sure, it’s how we’re wired influences some of this, but much of this phenomenon results from social and cultural influences. Idolizing someone can be normal human behavior, but it’s important to be aware of the potential pitfalls. It’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective, acknowledge the idol’s humanity, and focus on personal growth and self-discovery rather than solely relying on an external figure for inspiration and validation. Don’t forget, they are just people, not superheroes—flawed and human, just like everyone else.
