What is the definition of celebrity according to historian Greg Jenner?
According to Greg Jenner's 2020 book Dead Famous: An Unexpected History Of Celebrity, a celebrity is a unique persona made widely known to the public via media coverage, whose life is publicly consumed as dramatic entertainment, and whose commercial brand is made profitable for those who exploit their popularity, and perhaps also for themselves. Jenner argues the earliest true celebrities lived in the early 1700s, with Henry Sacheverell as his first example.
Who was the first celebrity to endorse a commercial product?
Lillie Langtry became the first celebrity to endorse a commercial product in 1882, when she became the poster-girl for Pears Soap. She had made her West End theatre debut the previous year, 1881, becoming the first socialite to appear on stage.
How much did the top 100 celebrities earn in 2010 according to Forbes?
The total earnings for all Forbes Celebrity 100 earners combined reached $4.5 billion in 2010 alone. Forbes also cited Lady Gaga as having earned over $90 million in that same year.
Who coined the phrase 'famous for being famous' and when?
British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge made the first known usage of the phrase in the introduction to his 1967 book Muggeridge Through The Microphone: BBC Radio and Television. He contrasted earlier eras, when fame required a talent or distinction, with a shift he observed toward people being recognized simply for having appeared on television.
What was Lisztomania and why is it significant in celebrity history?
Lisztomania was an immense fan frenzy around musician Franz Liszt that began in 1841, a response never seen before in music. It created the behavioral template for how fans relate to their favorite musicians in modern society.
What does research say about the health effects of celebrity and fame?
One study found that singers, musicians, actors, and athletes die younger on average than writers, composers, academics, politicians, and businesspeople, with a greater incidence of cancer and especially lung cancer. A separate academic study found that fame has an addictive quality, and that celebrities whose fame recedes over time often find it psychologically difficult to adjust.