While celebrities can use their platform to raise awareness of important news topics, they should not be held responsible to do so. Celebrities are entertainers; their job is to produce media for their fans to consume, not to be a news outlet.
Social media has allowed for celebrities and influencers to reach a large audience through their role as entertainers. For many, social media has become their primary news outlet — relying solely on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X to stay informed about current events.
While social media is an efficient way to spread news to large numbers of people, it has blurred the line of who is reliable to do so. Celebrities who have built a large following have the opportunity to share messages to their fans who trust and admire them. Commonly, influencers and celebrities have used their large platforms to promote their brands and images as entertainers. If they become expected to speak on topics that extend past their expertise, they could either spread misinformation or misinterpret the facts themselves.
While celebrities who speak on essential news topics may spread false information, others spread awareness about less well-known issues that are related to their identities.
For example, Selena Gomez has been open about her anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.Gomez has launched several initiatives to showcase her status as a mental health advocate for many young teens and adults. In addition to creating the accessibly-packaged makeup collection Rare Beauty, she has launched a mental health support campaign called the Rare Impact Fund, aimed at expanding and making mental health services more readily available.
While there are notable examples of positive impacts from celebrity advocacy, these campaigns should not promote their personal image and brand. In 2017, model Kendall Jenner partnered with Pepsi in an ad aimed at protesting police brutality. In the ad, Jenner participates in a protest that mimicked the Black Lives Matter Movement. She attempted to ease tension and bring peace by handing a can of Pepsi to a police officer. After 48 hours, the ad was taken down due to backlash and accusations of appearing supportive to promote a brand for profit.
In conclusion, while celebrities can take advantage of their influence to spotlight important issues, they should not be expected to do so given their line of work. Their primary role is entertainment, not journalism. True awareness should come from reliable and informed sources, and people should not place celebrities’ opinions on a pedestal. Celebrity political involvement should remain voluntary and genuine.