Cost of Being a Celebrity

I have personally seen, even at a distance, the cost, hysteria and rules and regulations surrounding celebrities. As a young journalist, I was thrown into the world of royal coverage. My experience was pre-Diana but as a reporter for the Monarchist League of Canada, I covered official events of the British royalty when they came to Canada. In my duties, I was obligated to follow the rules and regulations adhered to by the press. We were only allowed to get so close, needed to behave in such a way, were not allowed to leave formal dinners prior to the royal leaving, etc. I saw the media and how they treated them, how the public reacted, how much their lives were controlled, etc.

Keep in mind that this was prior to the new rules of engagement or lack of. It was pre-social networking where every move is recorded, commented on and captured on digital cameras only to be sent around the planet via the Internet. Although as trained journalists we were lectured on ‘get the picture and story at all costs’ it really was not without rules, regulations and common decency. Today the rules of engagement are simply ‘every man/woman for themselves’. We don’t want to kill the subject at hand but as we know from Diana’s experience, there are casualties sometimes.

Now, going back to the news at hand this week (June 2009), I also had the personal experience of encountering the mass hysteria surrounding Michael Jackson. Unlike my official duties as royal reporter, my encounter with Michael was purely personal.

Sitting outside one hot sunny afternoon on the patio of an outdoor cafe at the casino in Monaco, I and my spouse sipped on cafe lattes while in the distance chants could be heard. We both, rather surprised, came to the conclusion that the words sounded like ‘Michael’. Asking rather innocently to our French waiter if the chanting was for Michael Jackson, he snorted ‘of course’. Turned out the music awards were in town. As we sat there listening to the roar grow, pure hysteria followed.

Less than a few feet away, an official limo slowly rode by. From the slightly opened side window a beaded gloved hand and a masked individual became visible. This was pre-masked Jackson (at least in North America) so the sight was a bit of surprise. What followed was truly frightening even to someone accustomed to media coverage.

Right in front of us people began screaming, throwing themselves on the car (and I mean every part of the car), and running after it. Fans seemed to be oblivious of the fact that they could get run over. The car slowly rolled away but began to pick up speed as it moved up the hills on Monaco. In a split second, I got to see about 5 minutes in the life of Michael Jackson.

To say the experience left me rather rattled would be an understatement. My only other experience of feeling complete sadness for a celebrity was the time I toured Graceland and felt the exploitation/demise of a celebrity. I feel the scene I saw that day in Monaco provided insight as to how it must feel to be mobed and hunted.

Many seem critical of Michael Jackson’s odd behaviour, disguises for both himself and his children, drug addictions, etc. I am no expert and do not know him or his habits but I do feel I have an understanding.

How could anyone not become odd, paranoid, reclusive or want to shield the identifies of children with hysteria around all the time.

The mass interest and hysteria surrounding him, constant commentary about his looks and behaviour and what seemed to be joyful glee by many as the world watched him fall from grace is in hindsight shameful.   Although I believe he was addicted to the attention and was guilty of manipulation, I believe no one can deny he was ultimately the product of exploitation by parents and those who depeneded on him.

I like many others are interested in his life, marvel at his genius and wonder about his shortcomings and accusations, I pity his life.  I truly hope that he finds peace finally and that his children will be spared his experience.