As a little girl, my mother would sneak magazines like Stardust and read about her favourite stars hiding under the covers with a flashlight. And now, thirty years later, to do just that, all I have to do is not turn a page but click on it.
Celebrities worldwide are using twitter not only to connect with their fans but also to build their brand. With an insight into the lives of the people we desire, they no longer seem to be beyond our reach.
Popularity creates a sense of desire in people. And many believe that being in tune with the people who’ve made them famous guarantees a place at the top. For business owners who’ve also hit celebrity status tweets go a long way in getting people’s attention and advertising themselves or their ideas.
Paolo Coelho helped many fans follow their dreams through his writings, often communicating with them via twitter. His recent tweet – “If you are in Cannes during the film festival, you are welcome to meet me. I will stay in the same hotel as the main character of my new book.” Not only did the prominent author offer to meet his admirers but also popularised his book. Although a lot of stars use twitter only to stay famous, many have spread awareness and asked for help for many charities and causes that they believe in. Demi Moore’s tweet that helped thwart a distraught Californian woman’s suicide attempt is a thing to applaud.
But some stars still burn bright long after their talent has faded. Courtney Love recent claim to fame is not her music but her seemingly alcohol/substance-induced tweets. Lindsey Lohan is in the news for tweeting a topless picture of herself. The entire concept seems circular because it is – prominent people stay popular for a longer time. The reason for Kim Kardashian’s inexplicable fame is simply that she’s famous.
Andy Warhol once prophesised that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes and with twitter that prophecy has come true. Call it fame or notoriety, some people have tweeted away just stay in the spotlight. Tasleema Nasreen’s recent rants on Twitter have attracted a lot of criticisms and mockery. There have been many public figures whose controversial tweets have brought them into the public eye, but surveys reveal that after the controversy their popularity kept rising.
Though it caught on late, twitter is a latest celebrity must-have. With its ease and mobility, Twitter is likely to be a celebrity favourite for quite a while.
The stars continue to glitter,
As long as they’re on twitter.
But after lady luck has gone,
Some continue to tweet on. Oli Ghosh