“Fame. Ugh. Super Overrated.” — Mr. Ziebarth
When we think of red carpets, luxury cars, high end brands, and Hollywood, we think of fame, but what’s really happening behind the scenes? When it comes to fame, we tend to disregard all the negative connotations that come with it and believe that it’s all glamour and a life of ease. Living in the spotlight is so glorified that everyone seems to be chasing after it. It becomes the hopes and dreams of many young children and the media has painted it to be a life of spending cash and purchasing fast cars. However, John Green is a prime example of how fame is not what it seems and the hidden baggage that comes with living under the public eye.
John Green is an American author, content creator on YouTube, and has now started his own podcast on Spotify. He has published multiple best seller books and his writing is simply remarkable. His content has been known to have a major influence on readers, which includes students and all literature lovers around the world. He has multiple social media platforms including YouTube, podcasts, Instagram, and Twitter. Over time I have grown to love his work and his writing. It constantly leaves me at a loss for words and I fall in love with each book that I read. He’s essentially a successful writer with a supportive audience who loves his work, so what’s the problem then? In his podcast, “Anthropocene Reviewed,” he gives his listeners insight into his life and his true feelings towards fame and publicity. Social media genuinely plays a big role in painting the idea that fame is glamorous and doesn’t highlight the hate and the responsibility that comes with it. Scandals are often swept under the rug and every action you take is under the public eye. All eyes are on you and at times it can be extremely overwhelming. Life on social media seems perfect. Almost too good to be true. However, that’s exactly how things seem to be. Lives of celebrities are portrayed as perfect and it doesn’t truly reflect how their life actually is.
In his podcast, Green explains how being in the limelight has personally affected his life and all the things that come with fame. He describes the constant pressure, hate, and lack of privacy he receives from his audience. This includes his fans and people who have come to dislike his work. This industry is not for the faint of heart. Countless content creators, including John Green, have received hate. It takes an extreme amount of confidence and self-assurance to deal with the backlash. He explains in great detail about the hate he has received and how they range from hurtful comments to constant tagging in social media posts about his work. Life in front of the cameras also results in a lack of privacy and Green talks about how many fans have overstepped boundaries and came to his home seeking pictures and autographs. He also feels the need to mask his emotions and even says that the person he is on camera isn’t how he is always feeling.
It’s difficult to keep up in this industry considering the pressure and how fast paced it is. Social media is very surface level and not much thought is put into the effort and the emotions of the creator. It takes a lot of courage to show the world your life. Once you’ve entered the world of fame, there is no return. All your actions are monitored and picked apart. Gossip runs rampant and wherever you are cameras constantly follow you. Despite their status, how much money they have, and who they are, they are just human at the end of the day. I have even overlooked this. I got so caught up in romanticizing the life of a celebrity that I neglected the hardships that they go through. Green’s experience has changed the way I think about celebrities and I strongly urge others to open their eyes and see what is really behind the fame. Social media has controlled the lives of many people and has caused many to feel as if their life isn’t their own anymore. The “Anthropocene Reviewed, Reviewed” episode has shed a light on something that has been left in the dark for too long, and it has taught me to not make assumptions of people, objects, or anything else based on just what is shown to me. Things aren’t always as good as they seem. In other words, and what my English teacher had once told me, fame is just super overrated.