“Mo’ money, mo’ problems," Puff Daddy once said. True, celebrities have more pockets full of money than lint.
Money and power can give you the keys to numerous doors, but it all falls short at the end of the day. Once you exit this world, you can't take these perks with you. So, perhaps while we drool with envy or derision, there are lessons that the famous don't teach us.
As a disclaimer, not all famous people are bad. But they can teach us some pretty bad habits if we allow ourselves to become sucked into the excitement.
When it comes to the arrogance many celebrities, some wear it proudly and some don't. American basketball player and coach John Wooden said "Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man given. Be grateful. The conceit is self-given. Be careful."
The warning was to be concerned. The coach was right, he was one of the most famous NCAA coaches of all time and made serious money in his career. Yet, we know that not all famous people are leveled headed like the coach or even humble. Here are some thoughts on what the famous don't teach us.
They don't teach that dysfunction is wrong.Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna are always fighting. However, for some reason, we can't get enough of the gossip. Even his sister Kim said in “Keeping Up With the Kardashians ” it was getting out of hand. This relationship seems really unhealthy and they still remain together. They are not the only people dealing with dysfunctional families. Lindsay Lohan has spent years in and out of rehab for her drinking and drug usage. Michael Lohan is her father and he was jailed and arrested for assault. Look at the Kennedy family and their line of problems. They had looks, money and the White House. The assassin of JFK, affairs and a family riddled with alcohol abuse and illicit affairs, seemed to be normal. Any kind of dysfunction is not healthy.
They don't teach to control our desires.Teresa Giudice is a reality television star on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." You remember this star, the one that scammed people out money, allegedly committed mail and bankruptcy fraud along with her hubby Joe? Joe went to jail and the couple was fined, but Teresa is seemingly living pretty well these days. The money and the power got to her like it can for anyone For those who don't have that kind of money, and even if those that do--it is wise to have someone keep you accountable to keep your desires in check. It might keep you out of jail and out of the tabloids.
They don't teach us about commitment.We often joke how the famous can't remain together for a second. Some of this has validity to it. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries ended their marriage in 72 hours. Lisa-Marie Presley and Nicolas Cage, Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock also were not enamored with commitments and ended their relationships under a year. Some stars seem to go with whatever they feel like. As a culture, we do the same. This includes making a commitment and working on our marriages.
They don't teach us to be giving.There are many famous people who give of themselves. For example, Jonny Depp is a very generous tipper. He gave someone $4,000 dollars and is always tipping. Jay-Z once spent $250,000 on champagne and reportedly gave a $50,000 dollar tip. We are looking at the ones who don't tip and are pretty self-absorbed. Kirsten Dunst, Mariah Carry, Tiger Woods, Rachael Ray and Sean Penn are poor tippers or don't tip at all. It is better than what Usher does. He is so sure of himself, he just leaves an autograph picture of himself!
They don't teach us to be individuals.Most stars are sheep and so are most people. If one celebrity is sporting a style--another one is trying to top the other star. Ariana Grande copies Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga copied Madonna and Kim Kardashian copied Paris Hilton. Grande dressed and looked like Lo at one point, the richest.com reported. We have lost our sense of identity.
They don't teach us to avoid being people pleasers.Being in the spotlight presumably you have to please everyone and your fans are part of it. That can be a polarizing to live that way. Yet, many stars flash their smiles and work the crowds to please everyone. This could be the reason that many stars hate being famous and won't work to please the public. Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lawerence and Amy Schumer don't like fame. Actress Megan Fox reported said that people don’t realize fame is your worst "experience in high school when you were being bullied by those ten kids in high school, fame is that, but on a global scale, where you’re being bullied by millions of people constantly.” When we live to please others 100 percent, we will never be happy.
They don't teach us to use a filter.Power in an insatiable appetite and some stars can never feed that hunger or tame their mouths. Madge or Madonna used her fame to address President Donald Trump during a woman's march. She reportedly used her sex appeal to create support for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. She also offered oral sex. After she threatened to blow up the White House in her speech at the woman's march--we were in shock. Just because you are famous doesn't mean you can't zip it. If you're not famous? Well, think before you speak!
Power does go to the head. We don't have to agree with celebrities or like them. The point is society focuses on the famous too much where they allow them to shape their inner worlds. They are not role models and many of them reasonably don't want to be. Maybe we can look at people in these positions being just as fallible and learn to be ourselves.