Why are Americans so obsessed with celebrities?
462987
Hold on...I have to go watch American Idol! Ill answer your question later. Oh no wait, theres a special show on Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie tonight after Idol...Guess Ill answer you tomorrow.\n\n\nJoking...I dont know why americans are so celebrity obsessed. Ive been wondering that too. Ill come back to see other answers later. Im interested in what people think..Sorry Couldnt help you out.\n\n\npeace
689840
I love to hear about celebs.
952042
People tend to have irrational attractions to celebrities, for reasons I don't fully comprehend, but weddings especially, for many of the same reasons people are interested in "normal" weddings.\n\nAs sad as it may sound, a lot of people will probably never find true love in their lives, and a wedding gives them a way to live this scenario vicariously through others. A high-profile couple like the two of them just has wider appeal because they're celebrities and more people know about them.
53305
Because on some level, it makes them seem less than perfect. Some people tend to promote celebs to a demigod status but knowing that they live their lives the same way as the "common" man makes it more bearable to cope with the fact that they have more money and notoriety than most average people will ever experience. Knowing that Linsday Lohan has an eating disorder and Paris Hilton is a total hoe kind of makes all the people out there that worship celebs see that they are fallible just like everyone else. Just because they can buy the most expensive houses, cars, and clothes doesn't mean that they can buy love, happiness, and peace of mind.
1098911
I think a lot of people are curious about EVERYBODY'S everyday lives and enjoy gossip about anyone. Tabloids, magazines, and interviews with celebrities ensure that there's a lot of information about celebrities out there. I have a feeling most people would read tabloids about their next-door neighbors if their neighbors had paparazzi following their every move. :)
1163221
Because the "SUPERSTARS" are always traveling to fun exotic places where they spend most of their time hanging around with beautiful people. Business people if they travel stay in boring hotels and meet with other business people. \n\nAlso, usually stars are married to other stars who are very competitive with each other and put their careers first. Business people are married to "normal" people. I don't know that a marriage between two business people who were both always having to travel and boh putting their careers first would work out too well.
363832
People are always going to care about celebrities. They live the kind of lifestyle we can only dream about. You obviously do give a damn about him thats why you are asking this question, in the first place.
855984
And more widespread than we could possibly know.  The media is only focusing on the most famous people.  \nEverybody has a secret.
286969
They are just exotic enough to be interesting and not so exotic to be off-putting.  \n\nWe don't have anything like royalty in our country.  (The current Kennedys just aren't that glamorous and Hollywood stars come and go)  The trappings of royalty and the nobility fascinate a lot of Americans, probably because we don't have knighthoods and huge fairy tale TV weddings. \n\nBut we don't really pay attention to anybody else's royals either. I think we're comfortable with the English because we share a language and a history with you.  Nobody really wants Queen Elizabeth as a figurehead at the top of our government, but we can't help but feel we have some claim to her too.
1180488
CAUSE THEY ARE PEOPLE AND THAT HOW IT ALWAYS HAPPENS CELEBRITY OR NOT
254154
probably because doesnt originate from US. Strange really because it is HUGE all over the world and with the population in the states meaning there is a massive pool of potential stars, a bit more interest and they could be real world beaters.
733523
They are getting paid what they are worth, as per the market. If nobody goes to see their movies, they won't make as much for future pictures or if their pay is linked in part to the box office receipts. If there is a celebrity you don't like, don't enrich them by seeing their movies. \n \n\nIn addition to thier regular careers, people are so starstruck with them, many seem to be interested in any and everything they do. This earns them even more money in terms of product placement deals etc. I don't understand the fascination with these people, but it sure is very alive.
354484
The celebs you hear about are the ones at the top of the pyramid of fame, people that other people want to hear about.  So the media is just waiting for a mistake.  Plus, these celebs are pampered and babied, and they do not, or have lost common sense.  They have publicist and managers take care of their problems and needs.  They lose a sense of what is "real", and just think they are invincible and more important than the rest of us 9-to-5ers.
267297
(m)\n\nA third of people reportedly suffer from Celebrity Worship Syndrome, a fascination in the lives of the rich and famous that can become a dangerous addiction.\n\nPsychologists Lynn McCutcheon of DeVry University in Florida and James Houran of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine interviewed more than 600 people about their personality and interest in celebrities.\n\nThey were asked to rate statements such as "I am obsessed by details of my favourite celebrity's life", "I consider my favourite celebrity to be my soul mate" and "If he/she asked me to do something illegal as a favour, I would probably do it."\n\nThe responses cast doubt on the conventional view that celebrity worship is categorised into pathological and non-pathological cases -- in other words, harmless fun and obsession.\n\nInstead, the replies pointed to a "sliding scale" in which the celebrity devotee becomes progressively more fascinated with his or her idol.\n\nIn addition, celebrity fans are significantly likelier to suffer from anxiety, depression and social dysfunction than non-worshippers. \n\nAbout 20 per cent of respondents closely followed celebs in the media for "entertainment-social" reasons, according to the report. They tend to be extroverts: social, lively, active and adventurous.\n\nThe next stage, affecting about 10 per cent, is when the devotee develops an "intense-personal" attitude towards an idol, such as the belief that he or she had a special bond with the star.\n\nAt this point, celebrity worship is becoming an addiction. Those in this category are often neurotic, tense, emotional and moody.\n\nAt its most intense, celebrity worship is "borderline-pathological," a condition found in one per cent of interviewees.\n\nThese include celebrity stalkers and people who are willing to hurtthemselves or others in the name of their idol. They correlate with symptoms of psychosis, such as impulsive, antisocial and egocentric behaviour.\n\n"Just worshipping a celebrity does not make you dysfunctional," New Scientist quoted Houran as saying. "But it does put you at risk of being so.\n\n"There is this progression of behaviours, and if you start, we don't know what's going to stop you."\n\nPeople tend to get interested in celebrities at times when they are looking for direction in life, as in their teenage years.\n\nThe interest can develop into addiction at a time of crisis, such as the loss of a loved one, according to the research.
2182
Celebrities are fascinating to people because they have talents (most of the time), good looks, and seem to lead a perfect life. wait..one more thing..sometimes it's okay to care about someone you've never met.
791097
Ah the price of fame.. I've dozens of people wanting my autographs and views on all sorts of things. It's a small price to pay for fame, I guess.
990250
Well I don't exactly know what you mean because you couldn't get too specific, but I'll give a general answer of my opinion.\n\nI think the obsession with America is due to the fact that we are a young country. Not just young, but like a baby country compared to everyone else. Sure we have history (I hate to have anyone say that any country has NO history . . if it's there it has history) but we don't have the "legend" aspect to us. We're supposed to be such a great country but yet I think we are pushed to prove that because of how young we are. Therefore, everything about America is watched so closely. Others want to know what's next for America and just what America is all about. This country is kind of all over the place, always trying to kind of judge what's right or wrong, so it's not like when you go to another country and things are a little more routine. I guess America is so free that it can be too free a times and we tend to be watched.\n\nHey, I think America needs to be watched sometime too. But mainly, I think we just need to grow into the world a little more.