The Mycenaean

Obsession: something every teen goes through, whether they admit it or not. That one celebrity that you would marry in a second; no questions asked. For example, some people are filled with Bieber Fever while others fall for the dreamy Channing Tatum or hot Megan Fox.

Why, you might ask, do people become so attached to these iconic figures? Well, it is different for everyone.

Nicole Park, junior, said, “I have fallen in love with One Direction. My cousin showed them to me a long time ago and ever since then, I just can’t stop listening to their music and watching their videos. I have followed them since the beginning, so it feels like I am friends with them. ”

While others see them as more of a untouchable, role model.

“Celebrities are people we look up to and base our actions off of,” said Claire Coward, junior.

That can be a good or bad thing though. Some celebrities are positive role models who volunteer and who participate in charity work. In contrast however, there are celebrities that are constantly drinking or smoking or being arrested.

Popularity in Hollywood is quite varied. Teens like relatable celebrities. For example, teens adore Taylor Swift because she is young and sings about things that teenagers go through. However, teens also enjoy following the extremely rich, completely unrelatable lives of famous socialites. The Kardashians are a prime example. Tons of young people watch their shows, keep up with their lives and follow them on Twitter, despite the fact their lifestyles are profoundly far from normal.

Brittany Millice, senior, said, “One of my favorite celebrities is Adele. She has a great voice, is very inspirational, and has changed or affected a lot of people’s lives.”

That is what it often times comes down to. These socialites have changed peoples lives in some ways. Sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. It could be with their beauty, their voices or their acts. Whichever it is, there is something about them that made them famous.

Some people may claim that celebrity obsession is unhealthy and weird. On the contrary though; Shira Gabriel, a psychologist at the University at Buffalo, published studies that give evidence that worshipping a celebrity actually boosts your self esteem. He said that people “are able to assimilate the celebrity’s characteristics in themselves and feel better about themselves when they think about that celebrity.”

Coward said, “Some celebrities are just so beautiful you cannot help become fixated/obsessed/in love with them.”

“Natalie Portman is one of my favorite actresses because she stars in Black Swan, and it’s freaky but cool,” said Jesse McGuire, junior.

Everyone has different reasons obsessing over their favorite celebrity. Whatever the reason, it is important and normal for people to fall in love with a celebrity or celebrities.