Youtube video by: Breaking News Update
The death of the Fast and Furious star Paul Walker, is a tragedy that almost seems unreal. After becoming famous for his role of speeding in cars, it is as though Walker died with his iconic character.
It is difficult enough to grieve for a loved one, but celebrities have to do this under the watch of camera lenses that invade their lives and privacy. The public ignored the need for privacy when Tyrese Gibson, Walker’s co-star in the film, went to the place where his friend died. Gibson couldn’t hold back his tears and it was shocking to see reporters stick cameras and microphones in his way, as if he was performing for a live audience. Worse, he looked like a prisoner in the human-made circle around him. Intentionally or not, it doesn’t seem right to invade someone’s space in such a sensitive and heartbreaking moment.
Why did we forget that celebrities are also human beings?
A celebrity is a public figure. Many of these people become role models, having an influence on society and affecting the thoughts and actions of our youth. Social media has elevated the sensationalism people have about celebrities, since people now they are closer than ever to their idols.
But to what extent are celebrity stories relevant to the public’s interest? This isn’t simple to answer. Many factors contribute to the interaction. Our generation has normalized the desire people have to follow celebrities. But people, and for that matter, journalists, are acting unethically when invading the privacy of these celebrities.
Ever since new social networks, such as Twitter, have enabled anyone to have contact with celebrities, people have crossed all types of boundaries. Consequently, there is a greater demand for information. Social media provokes people to want to know more about the life of others. It is not until we see the negative effects of overwhelming celebrity adulation, that we realize that they are people just like us. They live and die, and like everyone else, they deserve respect.
Isabela and Gabriela
That’s a good point you are talking about, I feel like in situations like celebrity deaths, people don’t worry about their family and friends feelings… they just want to get closer and closer… and it is the same for us (journalists)… what is the limit?
Ashley Ezart
I agree completely with this. It is extremely saddening seeing what some paparazzi do to celebrities just to get the shot and the story. I understand that is how they make their living, but I feel bad for Gibson here. In addition to him, Walker’s daughter has been hounded by the media and other people with accounts on social media being made in her name. It is just sad. I understand the fascination of celebrities and I was reading everything when Walker was announced dead, but I think that his family and friends should be allowed to mourn in peace, without paparazzi and fans present every minute.
Cindy St-Laurent
I agree with this article. My dad fixes cameras for movie sets and television shows so I have met my fair share of actors, and I think as a result I do not have the same fascination for them that most of the society seems to have. I also have done lots of acting myself in school and recreationally and love it, but I never wanted to be famous. These people are human beings that need to be respected. Unfortunately journalists at times take things to far, such as what happened when reporters erased the messages of the Milly Dowler’s voicemail. There are journalistic ethics that must be followed and I feel that these should be extended to celebrities.
Roshini Sakhrani
I think that Paul Walker’s death was embodies situational irony – he played a character in the Fast and the Furious that loved speed and lived off thrill.
vancouver honoured his death by gathering about 500 drivers:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Paul+Walker+Hundreds+drivers+slow+safe+tribute+deceased+Fast+Furious+star/9260941/story.html
personally, i found out through Facebook, about Walker’s death – an hour later all my friends started posting R.I.P statuses. It’s crazy how news spreads like wildfire across all social media platforms.
i think actors need to grieve the same way we do, and not have a gigantic microscope hovering over their lives.
Justin Frizzell
I do think these types of situations (however sad they are) break down the almost mystical depiction of celebrities. I also think social media can help break down those barriers as well between celebrities and their fans. And as a big fan of the Fast and Furious franchise, I wonder how they’re gonna make Walker’s death fit into the movie, I think they’ve already filmed like half of it :(.
Aasim Raza
Deeply saddened by his death and halting of the production just goes to show to how much of a driving force he was behind the NFS franchise.
As far as the Paparazzi craze is concerned, it is just sad to see that these people could be so insensitive to the emotions of his family at a time when they need some space, clearly Ethics take a back seat in celebrity new coverage.
Kait Huziak
While the celebrity status of this event certainly magnified the amount of attention it drew, “normal” people get treated this way too. How often do you see on the news coverage of a local tragic incident with Joe Somebody’s family and friends being thrusted into the limelight? Unfortunately it’s pretty much an every day occurrence.
All in all, it’s not a matter of people forgetting that celebrities have the same set of 23 chromosomes like the rest of us. It’s the media’s policy of, “if it bleeds, it leads.”
Marissa Mallari
I completely agree with you. I watched this video soon after it was posted and was heart broken to watch someone who looks so strong break down in tears. I think that we often forget that, like you said, celebrities are real people. The poor man should have been let alone, if even just for a few minutes. He’s upset enough and probably does not need cameras shoved in his face when all he wants is to grieve his friend. I know that if someone shoved a camera in my face while I was upset, I would give them a good punch to the face. It’s hard to accept, but when people gain celebrity status, people idolize them to the point where they seem inhuman.
I do feel bad for the other guy that died in the car as well. It seems that the world is forgetting that another man with a family died too in that car.