Celebrities aren’t your role models. It’s by far, largely an unpopular opinion, but it needs to be said. Celebrities are people with emotions, ideas and thoughts just like everyone else. Their status as popular figures that are looked up to by millions of people doesn’t change that and is, in fact, a part of the problem. They’re famous because they possess a skill or talent that not many other people can do. A person like Taylor Swift, for instance, is an amazing singer and songwriter. Millions of people, even here at Community, enjoy her music. I even enjoy a little Taylor Swift every once in a while, but I don’t look to her for her opinions on the day’s most pressing issues, and I surely don’t look to her for political advice. When Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president, I thought: cool. But many conservatives didn’t see it that way; instead, they and right-leaning people everywhere, proceeded to flip out, tearing her down.
Similarly, when reggaeton artists Anuel AA, Justin Quiles and most recently, Nicky Jam came out in support of former president Donald Trump, Democrats and left-leaning people flipped out as well, harshly criticizing the three of them. Regardless of how you personally feel about either of the two candidates running for president, the real question is: why do we care about what these celebs have to say? The usual response might be, “They have the potential to influence people,” but my response to that would be, why do they have that potential? Why are we, as a society, allowing people with more wealth than we’ll probably ever see to have such an influence over us? Simply put, why are we looking up to these people?
All four of these individuals have made some amazing music and have inspired millions, but at the end of the day, they are human beings who have different experiences. They come from different backgrounds, different areas and have different beliefs. We need to start prioritizing the art and product over their opinions. What does Anuel AA bring to the table that wouldn’t be there without him? Personally, I don’t think he’s a great person, but his music didn’t do a thing to anyone. I’m not supporting him personally, and
I’m not donating to him personally. I’m streaming Anuel AA’s music because it’s good music. I’m supporting the art, and while that might indirectly support him, I’m okay with that because he earned it. He made a good song. Anuel’s support of Trump isn’t going to stop me from singing: ‘Ella quiere beber, ella quiere bailar.’ I’m sorry. Celebrities aren’t my role models. I don’t look to them for advice, I only go to them for entertainment and reward them when they give me that.
That’s the problem with our society: we demand that celebrities give an opinion on everything. When they do, we reward them or attack them based on how their views align with ours. By treating celebrities as leaders, we dilute the importance of a more knowledgeable voice and falsely give them the idea that their ideas are any more important than others. There are people whose life’s work is studying and understanding the complexities of politics, economics, social justice and global issues. Yet, their voices are often overshadowed by famous individuals with little expertise on the matter. Why aren’t we holding up experts—scholars, activists, scientists—as role models instead?
At the end of the day, they’re people who, like anyone else, can be wrong, biased or misinformed. Their fame doesn’t grant them deeper insight into life’s complexities. They’re allowed to have their own opinions and views, and their art and work shouldn’t be punished because of it. Let’s appreciate their work for what it is—entertainment—and not mistake it for expertise. It’s time we elevate the voices that deserve to be heard: those with the knowledge, experience and understanding to truly lead.
