L'OFFICIEL&nbsp;takes a look at celebrity culture and the way the idea of the celebrity has evolved throughout time.

Throughout history, the public has always wanted to be in the know about their favorite actors, singers, athletes, and other figures. But, over the course of the past few decades, the nature of the <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/celebrity-scandals-you-forgot-about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">celebrity</a> has transformed. New inventions, as well as the rise of technology, have impacted celebrity culture throughout history, allowing the public to see stars like never before. L&rsquo;OFFICIEL is taking a look at the history of the celebrity and the way the culture has evolved.

Celebrity culture can be traced back hundreds of years with the public first becoming interested in politicians, philosophers, performers, and playwrights in the 1500s and 1600s. During this time, the printing press was invented, allowing for ideas to be spread further and faster than ever before. The ideas and personas of celebrities like Jean-Jacques Rousseau earned recognition from this new invention, earning them a community of loyal fans.&nbsp;
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, increased access to the printing press led to the production of gossip sheets in London. These papers covered scandals and stories of London's elite as well as the social season, shifting the idea of celebrity to include the aristocracy as well as intellectuals. The gossip sheets circulated all around London, letting the public in on the lives of prominent figures for the first time.&nbsp;

The Rise of Newspapers

Newspapers fundamentally changed the nature of celebrity culture. In the 1830s, publishers began to lower prices on their newspapers, making it easier than ever for the public to be in the know. Articles about celebrities increased during this time as they improved the circulation of newspapers. Paired with new methods of travel like steamships and railways, celebrity news began to travel all around the globe.

Hollywood Stars

Although <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/old-hollywood-sailing-photos-summer-inspiration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hollywood</a> didn't invent celebrity culture, it set the stage for celebrity culture to become what it is today. Up until the creation of the film industry, performers were limited to the stage. They had power over their roles, their schedules, and even sometimes their co-stars. However, as they transitioned to film, studios began to control many aspects of their lives and craft their image. Marketing departments and executives told stars how to dress, helped book appearances, and earned them large followings. A celebrity was no longer just known for their talent or position but also by the image they projected to the public.
A prime example of this is <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/marilyn-monroe-media-legacy-nude-playboy-photos-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marilyn Monroe</a>: to the world, she is remembered as a sex symbol&mdash;the Blonde Bombshell of Old Hollywood. However, her reputation as a "dumb blonde" was largely due to a string of publicity stunts that painted her in a light that matched her on-screen persona.

Flashing Cameras

Another component that shaped celebrity culture was the rise of the <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/gigi-hadid-instagram-post-paparazzi-privacy-daughter-khai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paparazzi</a>. Known today for tracking down and photographing celebrities in their daily lives, the paparazzi originated in the 1950s. During this time, magazines were looking for candid photographs of celebrities, especially in compromising positions. They no longer wanted staged pictures and were willing to pay photographers to capture celebrities in embarrassing or even mundane moments. The creation of the paparazzi made the celebrity even more accessible as the public was able to find out about their daily lives and whereabouts regardless of the celebrity&rsquo;s consent.

Reality TV Star

In the '80s and &rsquo;90s, celebrity culture took a leap. Magazines solely dedicated to celebrities like People, Us Magazine, and Hello! hit their stride, circulating more celebrity information than ever before. Throughout this period, <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-looks-mtv-vmas-red-carpet-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTV</a> made its debut in 1981, marketing and glamorizing the celebrity in one's home. 
Moving into the early aughts, <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/celebrities-who-you-forgot-starred-on-reality-tv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reality television</a> took the concept of the celebrity even further as talent was no longer the most important factor in garnering fame&mdash;see: the entire Kardashian-Jenner empire. Information about reality stars became highly sought after by the public, emphasizing entertainment value as a key part of celebrity culture.

Social Media Influencers

<a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/kim-kardashian-slams-ex-kanye-west-social-media-instagram-attacks-north-west-tiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Social media</a> unlocked a whole new sector of celebrity culture. Platforms like Twitter, which was created in 2006, allowed celebrities to market themselves online and directly interact with fans. Social media further blurred the line of celebrity as fans got a closer look into their personal lives. The rise of these platforms also allowed for the invention of the DIY celebrity, also known today as the <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/santa-brands-influencer-approved-party-fashion-chiara-ferragni-leonie-hanne" target="_blank" rel="noopener">influencer</a>. Ordinary people were able to create their own content without the help of industry professionals, allowing them to showcase their talents to millions of viewers. Platforms such as Youtube were able to birth many of our favorite celebrities such as <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/justin-bieber-style-evolution-songs-baby" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Justin Bieber</a> who began his career with a viral video in 2008.

In 2022, we are in the midst of a new age of celebrity. With so many social media platforms from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/artists-to-follow-tiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> to Instagram, fans are able to interact with their favorite celebrities and are let into some of their most intimate moments. Celebrities have more control over their image as they create and manage profiles on every major social media platform. Fans can see inside <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/selena-gomez-birthday-beauty-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Selena Gomez&rsquo;</a>s morning routine on TikTok, peak at <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/bella-hadid-acting-debut-in-hulu-tv-show-ramy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bella Hadid</a>&rsquo;s outfit for the night on Instagram, and watch <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/kourtney-kardashian-travis-barker-wedding-italy-dolce-and-gabbana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Travis Barker</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/kourtney-kardashian-travis-barker-relationship-timeline-instagram-pda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kourtney Kardashian</a>&rsquo;s relationship on Snapchat. But, celebrities also have limited privacy. The public has begun to demand information from their favorite celebrities whether it be about their families, day-to-day lives, or their relationships. Many celebrities have opted to stay out of the spotlight after achieving mass fame, or have even ended their career early due to the pressures of being in the public eye.
 Social media today has also allowed celebrity status to become easier to achieve than it has been in the past. Thousands of people have used social media to gain fame in every industry imaginable, making celebrity status within reach for anyone looking to grab it.

Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, A$AP Rocky, Brie Larson, Slick Woods, Luka Sabbat, Paris Jackson, Frank Ocean, Lily Aldrige, Diddy, and more. 

The Evolution of the Celebrity

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