The Celeb Phenomenon

Now, I don't live in the US right now, so I only have an inkling into the whole celeb phenomenon over there. but in Japan they take it to a new level of craziness. The word celeb is over-used and over-hyped. I think that most use it now instead of oshare (お洒落), rich (リッチ) or zeitaku(贅沢).

The mass media hypes everything as being celeb or choi-waru(チョイ悪） meaning, fashionable, trendy or extravagant. Restaurants are celeb, or spas are celeb. Designer closthes are celeb, fine I can deal with that. But just because someone is a bit rich does not make one a celeb. I think the proper definition for celeb is famous for the sake of being famous. Paris Hilton (God forbid I run into her again, but that is another story) is a celeb. She has no talent, she is famous for being famous, nothing else. I guess the Kano sisters are celebs in that regard. But one is not a celeb or has a celeb lifestyle just because they go to a few extravagant places. It seems that if you have little bit of money and like to show it off then you are a celeb in Japan. What a joke.

Recently they invented a new word, puchi-celeb (プチセレブ)- a little celeb. WTF? They just mean a little extravagant. An extravagance that moer people can afford. Or the feeling of being one of the nouveau riche for a short period of time.

One does not strive to be a celeb. I think if you are striving to become of celeb, then you are missing the entire point. You re famous for being famous, you don't try, it comes as a by-rpdocut of your life, not the goal. Paris and tha Kano-sisters already have the fame, so now it is a business. Prior, they did not really work at it as much. If you work for it, then you are a true poser and living your life for someone else (the public in this case). I hate to think of how much money is pissed away on this stupid phenomenon in Japan.
"Oooh, I want that because it is so celeb", or "I want to eat there becuase celebs eat there." Get the stuff becuase you like it, or eat there becasue it is good, not to be a celeb.

I originally thought tht his celeb thing was going ot be a quick fad, but it continues to this day! It is sad testimony to the materialistic nature of current Japanese (especially women).

Just be yourself and get what you like, if that makes you cool in the eyes of other people, fine. OTherwise don't sweat it and enjoy life. And most of all don't flaunt your lifestyle, it can only come back to bite you in the ass.

Oh, Happy New Year!