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The Fine Lines Of Celebrity Privacy

Tanya Mardirossian |
October 16, 2014 | 9:49 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell (@ImKristenBell/Twitter)
Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell (@ImKristenBell/Twitter)
Celebrities often complain about having what should be private information exposed to the world: to fans, paparazzi, hackers and entertainment news networks. 

Though leaks of celebrity nude photos aren’t new to the public, the recent photo leaks of actresses like Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna have made people upset, and they have a right to be. There is no reason for anyone unwelcome to look through someone’s phone and share it with the world without consent. 

Celebrities like Kristen Bell and Jennifer Garner have made it clear that they don’t want the paparazzi anywhere near their children. They have argued that children should choose whether or not they want to be in the entertainment industry. They shouldn’t have to experience the craziness simply because their parents are constantly under the spotlight. Bell calls paparazzi following kids around "pedorazzi."

READ MORE: 7 Celebrities Who Keep Their Lives Private 

Everyone is entitled to their privacy—celebrity or not. But there is an easy solution to make the drama with paparazzi and media simmer down a bit: share information. 

Mila Kunis shared photos of her newborn daughter with Ashton Kutcher. Fans seem happy. 

Actress Blake Lively posted a picture of her looking gorgeous showing off her baby bump. No drama there. The news is out for everyone to see, but with the celebrity’s consent. 

Andrew Garfield has been seen arguing with members of the paparazzi about keeping away and respecting his and girlfriend Emma Stone’s privacy. 

The paparazzi remarks, “…you chose the life of a celebrity, which puts you in the public eye just as much as a politician.”

This is a common statement not just by members of the paparazzi, but fans—obsessed, starstruck fans who chase their favorite celebrities. 

Yes, it is true that celebs choose a career that requires them to be in the public eye; but as Garfield says, they are human beings too. 

READ MORE: Are We Too Obsessed With Celebrities? 

If Garfield and Stone allow paparazzi to take their necessary camera shots, they may face less stress. But even then, we see paparazzi harassing actors and actresses to get an angry face to sell to a gossip magazine. 

The relationship between celebrities, paparazzi and fans is complex, and has a fine line. 

Fans look to social media to see pictures of their idols. They use Pinterest and Twitter. How do these sites differ? A celebrity’s verified Twitter account displays pictures approved by the celebrity and/or his or her publicist. Pinterest on the other hand, shows pictures often taken by the paparazzi. So though people may despise the paparazzi, they are credited for taking many of the celebrity pictures we search on Pinterest. 

But even with celebs sharing their information, it may be a permanent goodbye to privacy in the industry. With privacy gone, perhaps the public will eventually get tired of hearing too much about celebrity news. Who cares what so and so ate for breakfast or whether Taylor Swift's lyrics were about her break up with John Mayer, or whoever else she has dated? The obsessed public will get what they asked for and one day wish they didn't speculate as much. 

Reach Staff Member Tanya Mardirossian here. Follow her on Twitter



 

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