The Death of a Celebrity: Too Much Exposure?
by Just like millions of deaths around the world every day, celebrities’ deaths are heart-renderingly tragic. But still – a televised funeral?
Anybody’s death is a loss to the world, and a black hole viciously ripped out of someone’s life. After all, we are all human, and all have family and friends to mourn for or be mourned by. However. Celebrities always seem to steal the limelight, on newspaper headlines, television and now even here, in this article. But is this really such a bad thing?
The most recent example of a celebrity death would be that of Jade Goody, who’s death was followed closely by millions from the moment she found out she had cervical cancer six months ago. Ironic that it is this year in Britain that cervical cancer jabs have been introduced into all schools, so that every girl can be protected. Which brings me onto the core of this topic; was the publicity that Jade Goody received paradoxically beneficial? This time last year Goody was being criticised incredibly harshly by both the media and the public alike, which she possibly deserved for her rude and racist behaviour on national television. Since her illness and subsequent death however, all the gossip magazines have backtracked enormously, ignoring their previous condemnations and praising Jade’s bravery and good character. Do not misinterprete me on this; I too have joined the hypocrisy bandwagon and have changed my opinion about her entirely, as never before had I ever had reason to believe her capable of such dignity. There is another irony in itself emerging; she has only been able to gain dignity in death, whereas most people are unfortunate enough for their situation to be the opposite. This is precisely the discussion topic that gave me an urge to write about such a controversial subject.
The publicity given to her illness, like so many celebrities before her, can only have been beneficial to the many would-be sufferers and research charities. Her death may well have been the last feather on the see-saw to cause someone to make a life-saving decision to have the cancer jab. On a more shallow level, the money raised from this publicity will provide for her motherless children. Therefore I hold nothing against a woman I have never met for doing something for so many other peoples’ benefit. One thing that does puzzle me though, is her funeral. It is to be filmed, on national television, grotesquely exposing a grieving family’s most private and sensitive moments to millions of greedy, curious eyes. I hold the opinion that this is taking things too far, but at the same time I still respect her decision for what it is: her own.
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Post CommentRod Ferrandino
On March 26, 2009 at 9:03 am
You handle the ambiguity of the situation well; do you refrain from speaking ill of the dead, if you didn’t have a lot of respect for them in life? Especially when something good may have arizen,phoenix-like, from their ashes.
STEVE666
On March 26, 2009 at 9:17 am
This is a great articule–well written, but I can’t help but feel that you’re holding back somewhat. The outpouring of grief, since she was first diagnosed with cancer right up untill her death on Sunday has been all-but endemic. A year ago, don’t forget, she was being villified as a racist bigot; a year later she’s diagnosed with cancer and suddenly she’s brave. Bravery, is putting yourself in harms way and wrisking your life when it might be just as easy to stand back—THAT’S bravery. What Jade did was put a brave face on things and except the inevitable. Completely different.
The media created Jade; they built her up and then knocked her down and it’s a sad indictment on the media-driven masses that it took a terminal illness, to ironically turn around her popularity around.
It’s always sad when someone young dies like this, but I think the ones that’ll be grieving the most, and for all the wrong reasons, will be the Max Clifford’s of this world for the loss of a very good cash cow.
rutherfranc
On March 26, 2009 at 10:25 am
famous until death.. she got her wish..
MrZebra84
On March 26, 2009 at 11:24 am
Very interesting and well thought out, it’s strange the way even death can be refracted through the lens of the media.
Jake Greenwood
On March 26, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Nice article. I disagree about her dying with dignity though, selling your funeral to the media must be one of the most dignity deprived things to do. But well done for the delicately with which you’ve handled such a hot topic!
Have a look at this article from The Guardian by Lucy Mangan. She comes up with some good points about Jade Goody’s rise and fall in popularity: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/mar/22/lucy-mangan-on-jade-goody
Robertos1319
On March 27, 2009 at 10:07 am
Jade goody’s last show, just show how the media can make (up) a celebrity out of any person. Could somebody tells me her good qualities?
How could a country waste its time in that way?
The manipulation is doing agreat job there.
Miss Eliza, I sent you a message.
Andrew Davies
On March 27, 2009 at 10:56 am
Poignant and well written. I love the way you dissected the situation and peeled the layers back to show us the story.
Bullwinkle Muse
On March 27, 2009 at 7:48 pm
The funny thing about cases such as this is that as much as we want to vilify those who achieve celebrity- however it’s gained – we seem to always marvel at the revelation that there was good inside them all along. In America, we’re known for rooting for the underdog (or at least we like to believe we do). But once fame comes to the nameless, we seem to revel in dragging that name through the mud, kicking pedestals out from under the idols we created.
Jane Goody, warts and all, brought attention to a problem that might have gone ignored by many of us who simply just wanted to look at the warts. Thank you for having brought further attention to cervical cancer with this very well-executed article.
Bo Russo
On March 27, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I don’t really know who she is,just familiar with the name,but this article enlightened me,and was surely well written.
Sarah B.
On March 27, 2009 at 8:48 pm
ok wow. i have like no idea who this is, but this is like AMAZING. i like totally love it even though i have no idea who it is you’re talking about. Did i mention i don’t know who this person is?? ok. now i’m just being annoying. sorry. sometimes i start on something and can’t stop. i’m like the energizer bunny i keep going and going and going and going and going and i have no idea when enough is enough. omg. im again like totally sorry about my rambling, its just how i roll. anywho, i love it, if i haven’t mentioned that already.
DA Cournean
On March 28, 2009 at 8:26 pm
If I were to comment on all the controversial points you have made in this article, I’m afraid I would use up all the space. This would make a good forum topic. So, I will just say that you did an excellent job. Very well written.
jamie mullen
On April 6, 2009 at 10:50 pm
It is possible to be brave and a bigot.
apollo393867
On April 13, 2009 at 5:05 am
Hi,
This is a really well written article and expresses your feelings quite well. For myself I am deeply cynical about the whole celebrity culture and it is unfair to focus that on this unfortuanate woman and her family. I freely admit I was disturbed by her and others success, and even more upset by the racism displayed by her, which she walked away from. The fact that someones death is now a commodity that can be bought by the highest bidder is what will live with me forever. Just imagine for a moment, negotiating the rights to your funeral or your last moments with your family. It has made me despair at times especially as my step-mother is herself dying from cancer.
Regards
j p gallagher
On April 13, 2009 at 11:26 am
Well written on a difficult topic. Here in America, I can not say Jade was especially well known. Grief is different to everyone, I can not say I would like mine shown on National TV, should be the family’s decision. Amazing though, what will be done for a spike in the ratings though. Like you say, some good has come out of her suffering, and now hopefully less women will have to share in her fate. My heart goes out to her children.
Reilley
On April 13, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Well-written piece. I wrote something similar back after the death of Heath Ledger.
Elizabeth Abbott
On April 16, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I absolutly agree. Compassion is for the loved-ones that are left. When we die our dignity dies too.
J L Williams
On June 23, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I’m with you on this, celebrity culture is such a farce, I could rant for hours and hours…instead I will react with my angry words in creative prose…hows that?!