Being a famous person

I did this topic with my student as an oral conversation question. He feels that being one is a form of pressure. A famous person has to answer for his actions to the public, who will judge him based on his actions. If he were given a choice, he would not be one. He feels that it is a must to be vigilant as a celebrity in public. It is a constant awareness a celebrity must possess, as he will be followed by the paparazzi wherever he goes. The late Princess Diana was hounded by these reporters and in a bid to avoid them, died in a car crash.

At the same time, celebrities can use their fame to do good. Alyssa Milano is a United Nations ambassador who tries to create an awareness of the poor citizens in Africa who are ill. She tries to garner donations so as to buy medicine and food for them. On the homeground, Felicia Chin and Zhang Yaodong volunteered to take food to the old and lonely flat-dwellers some time ago. These examples can be emulated by their young fans. They become role models to advocate the ideals of compassion and generosity.

Zoe Tay has been criticized for her looks. She is too old to be Fann Wong's twin in The Ultimatum, but it is the producers who casted her. Thus, it is not fair that she should be attacked. Anyway, where acting is concerned, she was better at it than Fann, who had different versions of the same facial expression. An actress should use her acting skills to be recognized, not her looks. Even if she does not maintain her looks, it is no sin.

On the other side of the coin, there are celebrities who are relatively unknown and insist on being given star treatment. A hairstylist was unhappy with not being able to have a hot drink while on a flight. When the stewardess explained that it was not available during turbulences, due to safety reasons, he pretended to understand, but subsequently blogged about the airline's poor service. What part of the reason does he not understand?! This is just one example of such people who think they deserve the same treatment as the really famous celebrities, when in actual fact their reputation and achievements do not earn such treatment.