Are celebrities required to be role models?

I’m torn. If I were an artist, I wouldn’t want people judging me on my choices. I wouldn’t want to see the enormous backlash that follows my every move.

On the other hand, I feel as though many celebrities use their fortune and fame in the wrong way and get caught up in living an extravagant lifestyle. I do stand very firm on the notion that many people too harshly criticize celebrities and their lives. More often than not we judge without taking a second look. Celebrities are just like you and me and sometimes we forget they are only human and by no means perfect.

Some feel out of control stars reinforce bad behavior for the younger and more easily influenced generation. Others believe if you are in the lime light, you have an obligation to behave respectfully, use your power and money for good and become a shining beacon for those who look up to you. As Uncle Ben once told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

The power celebrities have, especially when it comes to media attention, should be used for good and not just to make headlines for the latest scandal. Not only are celebrities’ lifestyles coming under fire, their very careers are being dissected. Miley Cyrus faced a lot media hate after her risqué Video Music Awards performance. Many flocked to social media sites to claim she was setting a bad example and glorifying sexual promiscuity.

Many artists come to do what they love and not be judged on their outside actions. Because there is a certain standard held by the public toward entertainers, people get distraught when the stars deviate from the image that the media has set.