Combatting Celebrity Idolatry

 

Student Persuasive Essay by Esther Hutchins

In our day and age, celebrities are in the spotlight. Their births, marriages, deaths, and all actions in between are always stuck under their followers’ noses. Consumers speculate about celebrities constantly, purchase their merchandise, copy their make-up and hairstyles, and emulate them. In a way, a teenager’s measure of ‘coolness’ greatly depends upon the example of the newest, hippest TikToker, actor, or artist. To an extent this is natural, but Christian teenagers must be careful that interest does not turn into idolatry. While curiosity about celebrities can in some cases be harmless, it is essential that Christian teenagers guard against the deification of their favorite influencer. An unhealthy infatuation can lead to feelings of inadequacy, influence decision-making, and weaken their relationship with God.

Thousands of celebrities have a strong (sometimes too strong) message of self-love. On one hand, they are telling their viewers how beautiful they are. On the other hand, they are flaunting perfect hair, skin, and leading their followers to believe that they are maybe just a little less perfect and that they need to fix or tweak their appearances a little. More than appearances, the varying abilities of influencers can sometimes make their followers feel inadequate. This effect can be seen in all ages and sexes, but teen girls have been found to be the most impacted. According to The Heart of Leadership, ninety-eight percent of girls feel pressure from outside sources to look a certain way, and ninety-two percent say they would like to change something about their appearance. 

        In addition to causing insecurity, idolizing celebrities often leads people to be influenced in their decisions regarding politics, religion, and more. This is extremely dangerous, as it can affect the overall course of a person’s life. The age group most affected by these messages are tweens to young adults. In these vulnerable stages of life, young people are still forming their opinions. The opinions are there; they’re just not concrete yet and can often be easily conformed. This is the very reason celebrities and influencers target the younger population instead of seniors. It is the difference between trying to remold a soft piece of clay compared to one that has been sitting out for a few days. The soft clay has just as much of a shape as the hard one; it just needs to sit for a little longer to become solidified. 

        Often the effects of celebrities' influence on lives can go completely unnoticed, but this makes them no less severe. One extremely important example of this is that idolizing influencers often leads teenagers astray in their relationship with God. Even if young people are idolizing a celebrity preacher or Christian artist, the effects can be very harmful. Already, sinful human nature is in constant conflict with the Lordship of Jesus. Just like the Israelites in 1 Samuel 18: 19-20,  ‘...We want a king to rule over us! Then we will be like other nations…’ Individuals are always, even underneath all of their good intentions, too ready to enthrone worldly things over Jesus. People must be careful to hold themselves accountable to be sure they are not glorifying a substitute ‘god.’  

While it's important to recognize the significant influence celebrities have on teenage lives, young adults shouldn't lose hope that they can mitigate this influence. Although it may be impossible to eradicate celebrity worship, there are steps that can be taken to lessen its impact. 

        One effective approach is to limit the consumption of celebrity content. If people find themselves spending excessive time thinking about or imitating a celebrity or influencer, it's a strong indication that that person is becoming too invested in them. In contrast to this danger, having healthy role models can be incredibly valuable. The best role models are those a young person regularly interacts with and those who share similar beliefs and values. A personal relationship with someone who deserves imitation can prevent idolization. The teen can legitimately admire a person while recognizing their imperfect humanity. This helps teenagers maintain the perspective that, while a person may be admirable, they are not flawless. Above all, teenagers must remain mindful of and engaged in God’s Word. It becomes difficult to remain in idolatry with a clear conscience if believers truly honor His wishes. This awareness can help Christians recognize when they have strayed too far. Although it may be a challenging and unpopular choice, becoming free from celebrity idolization will ultimately lead to a more genuine and fulfilling life.