Even though you might be embarrassed to say it to your friends or anybody you know, you secretly want to be famous too. Everyone wants fame—most people just won’t admit it. Who wouldn’t want to get fame, be rich, and be loved by millions of people who would go to great lengths to take a photo with them? Who wouldn’t want to be recognised and accepted by all? And, who doesn’t want to sense their admiration and recognition from total strangers?
Everyone would want to be famous after witnessing the adoration of millions of fans for celebrities like Shah Ruk khan , Deepika Padukone, Justin Bieber, and Beyonce; receiving unwavering love and countless smiles from people you don’t even know; receiving things for free; receiving preferential treatment; and not needing to introduce yourself because most people know you.
Little do we know, Celebrities frequently go through stages where they first love fame, then hate it, become addicted, accept it, and eventually adjust (both positively and negatively) to the fame experience. Being a celebrity changes how someone exists in the world. The person develops a form of character splitting between the “celebrity self” and the “authentic self” as a survival tactic in the hyperkinetic and intoxicating atmosphere associated with celebrity life once fame strikes, with its rising sense of isolation, mistrust, and lack of personal privacy.
Psychology behind fame
The psychology of fame makes a person feel “lonely, unsecure, like you’re in a bubble, like your family’s space has been invaded, like they’re being watched, as they live in a fishbowl like they’re in a locked room, and familiarity breeds unsuitable closeness.” “The sad thing about popularity is that there are those who want to be famous so badly. It’s like a drug, and a lot of people get addicted to it before leaving. When you meet them, they’re in desperate need of it.
They can’t realise they are no longer renowned because they are still living in the 10, 15, or 20 years ago when they were famous. It is a dependency. It’s an urge. It differs from person to person, but it works the same way as drugs, alcohol, or anything else.
Fame is the broad recognition and attention that people or things in the public sphere have attracted. Here are some psychological elements that fame’s attraction and effects are influenced by-
1) Social validation:
Humans have a natural desire for approval from others. Many social media influencers create their own online communities in order to broaden their reach. People go to great lengths to gain fame. We spend money on social media reach optimisation because we want to live the celebrity lifestyle and enjoy stardom. We constantly want to elevate our social status.
2) Identity and Self-Worth:
Fame has the potential to entangle a person’s identity and sense of self-worth. To boost their self-worth and create a good self-idea, people may pursue celebrity. Their sense of worth and significance can be increased by others’ admiration and attention.
3) External Recognition and Rewards:
People desire fame because it offers numerous external benefits, including financial gain, material goods, and chances for both personal and professional development. These material advantages may serve to increase motivation for achieving and maintaining renown.
4) Psychological Needs:
Fame can fulfil a variety of psychological demands. For example, achieving recognition and success in a specific domain might satisfy the demand for achievement. The social connections and networks that come with renown might satisfy the need for affiliation. Furthermore, because famous people often have more influence and decision-making power, the urge for autonomy and personal control may be increased.
5) Psychological pitfalls:
Fame is not without its pitfalls. Celebrities are frequently subjected to invasions of privacy, continual monitoring, and peer pressure to preserve their public image. Increased stress, worry, and difficulties establishing genuine relationships or maintaining a sense of normalcy can be psychological consequences of being famous.
Emotional struggles
It is common to change who we are in order to gain fame. Being in the spotlight constantly causes emotional challenges that have a negative impact on mental health. Most of us picture ourselves as pleased and happy if we ever get the wealth, popularity, and fame that come with becoming a superstar. However, having a high level of media exposure might have a significant negative impact on one’s psychological health. Actors, musicians, athletes, and high-ranking officials of all backgrounds are susceptible to the negative impacts of being in the media spotlight.
1) Lack of Privacy:
Everything that popular figures do is made public for everyone to watch, talk about, and make fun of. The more embarrassing the gaffes and rumours of the wealthy and famous, the more we like reading about them. Famous people will typically experience increased self-consciousness and paranoia in the face of such intensive scrutiny.
2) Lost of sense of self:
Many celebrities feel they are unable to express their uniqueness in the stereotypical media landscape. A celebrity starts to lose sight of the many facets of their own personality as the media and fans form a false impression of them (which is frequently one-dimensional). They consequently make decisions that no longer represent who they truly are, further undermining their sense of self. They start to feel more and more alone and alone, and they find it hard to trust people.
3) Imposter Syndrome:
When people don’t believe they deserve their achievement, they have the feeling of being an impostor. The public learning that celebrities aren’t as smart, wise, or gorgeous as they are portrayed in the media may also be a source of worry for celebrities. They quickly realise how much their admirers have idealised them, which is impossible to equal in reality. As a result, superstars can start to feel like their talents are no longer sufficient, which would make them feel inadequate.
4) The search for media fame:
Many celebrities are concerned that their fame may fade, which causes them to stress over losing the attention of their admirers and the media. After a celebrity’s success has peaked, it is typically a painful descent as they receive less attention from others. The loss of the spotlight can leave people feeling purposeless and unimportant. As a result, superstars are frequently frantic to recover notoriety and, as a result, become prone to buffoonery. In the aftermath of this loss, they frequently turn to self-destructive behaviours to cope with overwhelming emotions of failure.
Common Psychological Disorders
Famous people have to struggle tremendously to be in the spotlight. They can also suffer from psychological disorders such as:
1) Identity crisis:
Losing one’s actual identity can result in an identity crisis, which is characterized by confusion and ambiguity regarding one’s self-concept and values. This can lead to emotions of worry, sadness, and self-worth loss.
2) Depression:
Celebrity expectations, along with a loss of personal identity, can contribute to depression in some celebrities. They may experience despair, helplessness, and a lack of motivation.
3) Substance abuse:
Some celebrities may turn to substance misuse as a coping method for dealing with identity loss and the pressures of fame. As a result, substance misuse disorders might develop, leading to additional physical and mental health concerns.
4) Body dysmorphic disorder:
Celebrities who are constantly scrutinised for their physical appearance may develop body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Obsessive obsession with perceived imperfections in one’s appearance characterizes BDD, which can have a substantial impact on self-esteem and daily functioning.
Overcoming identity challenges
There are certain steps that famous people follow to overcome the lost sense of identity. Such as:
- Soul searching and self-reflection
- Career transitions
- Revaluation of priorities
- Personal development
- Privacy and seclusion
- Spirituality
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