It is true that many judge those who read tabloid publications, however many know precisely which celebrity has recently gone through a messy divorce in Hollywood. For years we have been informed that “people press” is low-brow or a complete waste of your time. However, this is an elite view. Honestly, we are all simply programmed to be interested in others’ stories. It isn’t shallow to want a break from your life; you can find comfort in knowing that even the wealthiest and most attractive individuals on Earth go through the same things (heartbreak, drama, bad hair) as the rest of us. This brings the world down to size while making it more enjoyable.
The ultimate brain break
Right now, it feels like so much is weighing on us with work, paying bills and seeing what’s happening in the world. We just need somewhere to escape and have some relief from all of this. A good way for that to happen is by watching celebrities recover from their downfalls or engage in silly red carpet feuds. It gives you an adrenaline rush at little cost. The same reason we watch sports — you can’t help but be interested as to which one will win or lose. You’ll actually find that a lot of fans who track these Hollywood power moves also love the rush of a live game, often checking out the tonybet sportsbook to see if their predictions about the weekend’s biggest matches actually pan out. Whether it’s a pop star’s new era or a massive underdog victory on the field, we’re all just chasing that same feeling of excitement.
A weird way of connecting
Think about the last time you were at a boring party or stuck in an awkward elevator ride. What’s the easiest thing to talk about? Usually, it’s some massive pop culture moment that everyone saw on their phone that morning. You don’t need to be an expert to have an opinion on it. The celebrity press gives us a common ground that isn’t political or depressing. It’s a bridge. It lets you chat with your barista or your cousin you haven’t seen in three years without things getting weird. It’s social glue, plain and simple. It’s not “meaningless gossip” if it’s the thing that actually gets people talking and laughing together.
It’s okay to just have fun
We’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with always producing something at work, so much so that we believe we are wasting away mentally if we’re not studying a 500 page biography or an in-depth financial analysis. The truth is your mind needs to relax. It needs color, drama and a little excitement. You won’t be dumber because you read about a celebrity. You’ll only be happier. There is a lot of fun in allowing ourselves to get swept up in the excess of a celebrity marriage or outrageous fashion choice. When you see a “Breaking” news headline about a celebrity’s wedding or some ridiculous fashion choice, don’t think it’s stupid. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the glitz of the situation. We all need a little glamour in our feeds, and I honestly couldn’t care less if anyone has a problem with that.
The evolutionary architecture of gossip
The natural tendency to be attracted to the upper echelons of society, while at first glance appears to be nothing but casual interest, is an innate result of how we have evolved. Through history, tracking those who were above us on the status ladder provided for a method of understanding social hierarchy and navigating the nuances of tribalism, all from a safe distance. The raw attraction to observing those on the top rung today has merely changed mediums — from film and television to social media. By watching the rise and fall of a celebrity or other prominent personage, we are performing a complex form of social mapping, utilizing the success and failure they display to align our personal sense of right and wrong, and what is acceptable in society.
