The Cult of Celebrity During a Global Pandemic

Is time running out on celebrity culture?

Published by Corpus Christi Caller-Times-photo from Associated Press / Public domain on Wikimedia Commons.

I recently came across the song ‘The Cult of Personality’ by Living Colour and was not only blown away by the musical artistry (who said black people can’t do rock), but the lyrics rang astonishingly true leaving me to pause for thought. Even though the song came out in 1988, now more than ever, its relevance speaks volumes today:

Track cover. Photo courtesy of Discogs.

I sell the things you need to be I’m the smiling face on your T.V.
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me

– A small part of the lyrics by Living Colour.

We might think of the cult of personality as being about politicians who are presented as these big figures to be appreciated and respected. But really, it can relate to an individual who creates an identity for the consumption of the masses through lies, the media, the arts and social engineering. Sounds a lot like reality TV (think Keeping up with the Kardashian’s), but the disconcerting thing is that we come across these characters all the time. Not only on TV screens, in…