A fall from grace? The celebrities that just keep on stumbling down

It seems that the media loves the term, “fall from grace”. Just about any time a celebrity, politician or other high-profile individual commits a wrongdoing a headline with the words “fall from grace” seems to surface somewhere. But what is grace and how does one truly fall from it?

There is something both humorous and disturbing about the way in which people attempt to assign value to others based on what they do. We elevate people to unrealistically high levels when we shouldn’t, and condemn them when we have no real right to do so.

An athlete whose athletic skills and showmanship attracts millions of fans and television viewers becomes almost superhuman in the minds of many - until they fumble in their personal life. Our applause turns to booing as they reveal that they are just human beings after all.

Likewise, an entertainer who makes hit after hit sells out concerts until they are accused of a grave error that gains public attention. Suddenly we go from admiring them to making them the primary subjects of our jokes and ridicule.

Sexual scandals in particular have been the undoing of many a musician. From George Michael to Michael Jackson, Chuck Berry to Jerry Lee Lewis, history has had a dim view of musicians accused of sexual impropriety.

Take R Kelly for example. In June 2002 his career came to a startling halt when his world was rocked with a number of accusations of sexual intercourse with a minor.

The case was ongoing for six years and while he was cleared of all charges earlier this year, his record sales have lowered greatly along with his fan base who clearly just don’t feel comfortable adoring a man who they once hailed as the most important R&B singer, producer and songwriter of his generation. Since the launch of his career in 1992, Kelly has sold 23 million albums. How quickly these 23 million people forget.

When the child pornography charges first surfaced, several radio stations across America pulled Kelly’s music from their play list and during his court case Kelly’s peers in the music world began to distance themselves from him, with artists such as Dr. Dre, Nas, Sisqo and P. Diddy speaking out against him.

One of Kelly’s albums, a joint effort with chart-topping rapper Jay-Z, was a commercial flop because Jay-Z refused to tour, make a video, or do any interviews with Kelly after revelations about the videotape. I guess when you’re a celebrity you’re guilty until proven innocent. Whilst Kelly has been attempting to make a comeback this year it is clear he has lost a lot of support from his fans.

Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, George Michael, the list goes on. These are all artists who’s private lives have affected their careers in negative ways. They are also human beings who make mistakes and will no doubt make many more.

It should be said that although it is dreadful that their private lives are dragged through the mud in this media-saturated society, it should also be said that these artists enter this society knowing it will bring attention to their private lives. But should constant scrutiny be the price of fame?

Many actively seek media exposure in order to advance their careers, revealing aspects of their personal lives.

Once success has been bought in such a fashion it is almost hypocritical to complain of press intrusion into those few aspects the star would prefer to remain hidden. However it’s an awful shame that these sorts of celebrities who seek fame in such a way get treated in the same way as those who are famous for a genuine talent and a love of what they do.