It's an interesting illusion that Madonna, John Wayne Bobbitt and Susan Boyle can be mentioned together in the same sentence. But, I have found a way. The mechanics of celebrity is the issue that can bring just about any three celebrity names together in the same sentence.
There are several ways in this world to become a celebrity. Not everyone who has graced a tabloid has followed the same set of rules. In fact, rules are pretty much out of the question. Madonna, John Wayne Bobbitt and Susan Boyle are each great examples of the fact that rules are indeed out of the question.
I could have mentioned any number of celebrities here. But, I have chosen these three because of the extreme natures of their back stories. The way they each came to celebrity status are so different in nature that they are the perfect examples for my expanse.
Everyone knows who Madonna is and what she's up to these days. She has been a mogul for years and by most probable standards will stay on that level of stardom for the rest of her life. She will be remembered long after her passing much like that of Jerry, Kurt and Elvis.
You might argue that Madonna could never be on the same level with the likes of Jerry Garcia and Elvis Presley. But if you think about what I'm saying you'll be able to see that despite the arguable differences, Madonna will be remembered. That in itself is comparable to any great you stack up against her.
Years ago, a rising star out of New York, she had what it takes to make it in the music industry. She had talent and ideas. She was a trend setter, not only in music but also in fashion. She is a beautiful woman. But, there are so many beautiful women who know music and have great ideas who don't make it. How is it that Madonna made it through?
She used sex appeal. She did outrageous things in the public eye that still are used as icons today. Her outrageous bra is just one example of the way comedians and impersonators like to portray her. You can have blond hair and you can talk with a Brooklyn accent. But if you put your hair back in a pony tail and wear cones over your breasts, you're suddenly recognized as doing Madonna. And Madonna has been enjoying that for years. Millions of teenagers used to dress like her back in the 80s. She's big because she makes herself big. She brings it large and that's one way to celebrity.
John Wayne Bobbitt is a celebrity for another reason. You might argue that John Wayne Bobbitt is no celebrity. But, mention his name in a room and mostly everyone will know the story. It was outrageous. It caught national attention. I'm not saying that you should have your wife cut your male member and throw it out along the highway. But, that kind of outrageous behavior is what puts people on the map.
Celebrities like Steve-O and Paris Hilton eat into that every day. Think about it! What is Steve-O's talent? Is he a member of a band? Is he an actor in the movies? No, he is a Jackass. Part of the crew who lights bottle rockets out of their butts and sick alligators on their moms. Bam Margera once cut the top out of a Lamborghini just to make Billy Idol happy. That's a jackass.
Speaking of which, who is Paris Hilton by the way? Is she a singer? Is she an actress? Well, it can be argued that she is both of those as well as having a few other significant celebrity titles. But, her celebrity came with being an heiress to the Hilton hotel chain. She has rubbed elbows with celebrities all her life and found herself in the spotlight along with them regardless of the fact that she wasn't actually a talent among them. So, finding yourself in the spotlight regardless of any talent you may or may not have is another way to break through the glass ceiling known as celebrity.
That brings us to Susan Boyle. She is the mark of a different kind of celebrity. She was given a moment and she completely knocked us on our butts. Everyone in the audience of Britain's Got Talent was chuckling. The judges were skeptical. But, she opened up and out of her mouth came her beautiful rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. Simon Cowell's expression was priceless and when you see Simon Cowell genuinely surprised, you know you have really nailed something right.
Rumors are flying. One exciting rumor is that there might be a movie deal and Catherine Zeta Jones wants to play her role. I saw a pole taken on a top celebrity news broadcast that asked the audience whether Susan Boyle had surpassed Brangelina in celebrity status. It wasn't a majority, but a significant number of voters thought that she had indeed surpassed the power team couple.
Now, what is that? That's fifteen minutes of fame for all the right reasons. She has a talent and was able to catch the world's attention when she was given her moment. Eminem talks about choking at a moment like that in his song "Lose Yourself." Susan Boyle lost herself. She owned it and she didn't let it go.
Michael Allen is the author of A Danger to Society, a hilarious look at the notions of law, crime and criminal behavior. The Ashlie Wrote Bookcover Contest [http://ashliewrote.com] has launched and Michael Allen extends a special invitation to anyone who would like to enter. You do not have to be a model to be the winner of the Ashlie Wrote bookcover. All you have to do is enter and get your friends and family to visit your Ashlie Wrote profile so they can vote on you. Get the details here, Ashlie Wrote Bookcover Contest [http://ashliewrote.com].
