The Double Standard of Celebrity Worship: Why Actors Face Cancel Culture While Musicians Enjoy Almost Unconditional Adoration in the Age of Social Media

In the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture, it’s hard to escape the intrigue of celebrities. However, I’ve noticed an interesting spin on the tale of celebrity admiration: it comes with its own set of conditions, heavily dependent on the industry in which the luminaries thrive. While actors and actresses find themselves under the scrutinizing lens of younger generations, musicians seem to bask in the glow of unbridled adoration. This is an interesting distinction that’s difficult to ignore when I read about more and more celebrities being canceled. I’m not suggesting that musicians should find themselves under the spotlight of cancel culture. What I am suggesting is that this distinction highlights how arbitrary and stupid cancel culture actually is. How cancel culture maintains a short-sighted focus on what we want to focus on (and manipulate) and ignores what we don’t, is inherently absurd and hypocritical to many of the mottos of those engaged in cancel culture theory.

            For millennials and younger generations, the once-celebrated intrigue of Hollywood actors and actresses seems to have come to a screaming halt. The days of appreciating actors for their on-screen charisma and performances have waned. The modern viewer is more likely to appraise a celebrity’s actions off-screen, scrutinizing their personal beliefs, ethical choices, and social stances than they are to recognize the fact that these are simply people working a job, they’re not going to be better or worse than the average of us. In the world of acting, fans increasingly demand a level of personal accountability. The “cancel culture” phenomenon has amplified this trend, as individuals criticize actors and actresses for any perceived misstep or controversial statement. No longer are we separating the art from the artist (in this context), with viewers expecting their favorite on-screen personalities to align with the personal values of their—any one other individual—both on and off the set.

Contrastingly, the music industry stands as a sanctuary of unwavering admiration. Musicians, with their ability to craft anthems that resonate with human experience, often enjoy an almost sacred status among fans. The unconditional love bestowed upon musicians seems to transcend their personal lives and choices, creating a weird dichotomy in the world of celebrity worship. The visceral connection that fans feel with musicians is often rooted in the power of storytelling. Music has a unique ability to speak directly to the soul, serving as a cathartic outlet for our emotions and experiences.

Fans often find solace in the melodies that accompany them through life’s highs and lows, creating a pardoning bond that goes beyond the superficialities of celebrity gossip. Musicians, it seems, are also perceived as more authentic and relatable. Whether it’s because of the vulnerability of their lyrics or their unfiltered presence on social media, musicians are perceived to present a more genuine version of themselves. This imprinted authenticity appeals to people who appreciate the artist not just for their music but for a seemingly more unapologetic embrace of their true selves. Although I have an equal appreciation for both actors and actresses and musicians, our impression and distinction of a celebrity’s industry is highly arbitrary and yet many of us are accepting it as canon—as truth.

The disparity in the conditions of celebrity admiration between actors and actresses and musicians might be attributed to the nature of their respective industries. Hollywood, with its glamour and intense media scrutiny, places actors and actresses under a microscope as often as is humanly possible. The demand for perfection, both on and off-screen, has led to a shift in how people engage with their favorite performers. In the music industry, the narrative is different. The culture surrounding musicians often emphasizes the imperfections and complexities of human experience. People appreciate the vulnerability of artists who wear their hearts on their sleeves, and this alludes to a more forgiving space where the line between personal and public life is less defined. As we navigate this altogether annoying terrain of celebrity admiration, it’s evident that the conditions governing this phenomenon are in constant flux. The younger generations, armed with social “awareness” and a desire for perceived authenticity, are unwittingly reshaping the dynamics of fandom. While actors and actresses grapple with the pressure of public scrutiny, musicians continue to ride the wave of unconditional love, grounded in the emotional connection they forge through their art.

The industry-specific conditions of celebrity admiration showcase the nuanced relationship between people and celebrity artists. Whether it’s the demand for personal accountability in Hollywood or the inconsistent celebration of perceived authenticity in the music world, the evolving landscape of celebrity worship highlights an ongoing concern in the way that many Americans are choosing to relate to themselves and each other, as well as the unconscious, conditioned filters that leave a translucent smear on the lens through which we are viewing our culture, and the rest of the world.