Why Celebrities Are Not Real Heroes

There is no denying that we love to see celebrities. They entertain us through different mediums like movies, music, dance, and sports.

That’s it!

This is what a celebrity’s role is.

Whenever we feel bored or want to escape from the reality of our world, we take refuge in the world of entertainment.

The problem appears when we consume constant entertainment. We start loving and idolizing actors, musicians, influencers, and sportspersons.

We start worshipping them and think they are the real heroes of society.

But a celebrity is not a “Hero”. They are just celebrities.

What People in India Think a “Hero” is

In India, what it means by the word “Hero“?

It means a celebrity who has lots of money. Who wears costly clothes and accessories. Who does stylish and complex dance moves. Who beats the goons in the movie and flies them in the air.

A hero for them is an actor who does criminal activities and violence in the movies and hardly gets caught by the police.

A hero is a pop singer who shows guns, drugs, expensive cars, and beautiful women in their songs.

A hero for the people of India is a sportsperson who abuses and shows rude behavior in a cricket stadium.

This is what many people of India think a “Hero” is.

Why Celebrities are not Real Heroes

To understand why celebrities are not real heroes, let’s dissect the illusion created by the media and our own perceptions.

1. Images of Celebrities are Manufactured

What you see is not the real picture of celebrities.

They are curated images. Celebrities hire PR teams, stylists, and brand managers to create those images.

They know how to market a particular celebrity and create an image for them. This helps in maintaining their popularity and masking their flaws.

Example: Take the case of Lance Armstrong. He was celebrated for his cycling prowess and cancer survival.

People used to consider him a “Hero”.

However, his manufactured image was shattered when his doping scandal came out in the open. He was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and one Olympic medal.

People hailed him as a hero.

But he was just a manufactured celebrity who was willing to compromise his integrity for fame and success.

2. Celebrities are Motivated by Profit

One doesn’t become a celebrity to become a “Role model” or “Hero”.

Celebrities’ main goal is to earn money, fame, and status.

The whole entertainment industry thrives on the celebrity culture. They know that people become crazy for celebrities.

So, the actions of many celebrities are often driven by profit, not by worrying about the well-being of people.

Therefore, if you see celebrities involved in charitable activities, you should understand that it is more about enhancing their image and brand value.

They are not showing genuine concern for the people’s welfare.

Their genuine concern is Profit.

Further, celebrities can become unethical when they endorse harmful products (junk food, sugary drinks, shampoos, unhealthy sports drinks, and many more) and influence you to buy the same.

Example: Many celebrities do philanthropic activities, but often these efforts are publicity stunts.

When some celebrities donate to a cause and immediately share it across social media, you can question whether the act was truly selfless.

Or was it a deliberate move to garner positive media coverage and appreciation from their fans?

3. Celebrities Have Temporary Impact

Celebrities don’t have long-lasting impacts. Their impacts on people are often fleeting.

You can get inspired temporarily by a movie or a song, and then it fades.

True heroes, however, withstand the test of time. Their actions are such that they create enduring legacies.

Example: When a celebrity speaks or mentions a cause, such as environmental conservation, their influence is usually temporary.

In contrast, individuals like Greta Thunberg, who has dedicated her life to activism, create a sustained impact through consistent efforts and personal sacrifice.

Who are Real heroes?

In today’s time, there are less heroes and more celebrities.

People have forgotten the meaning of “Real Heroes” and consider celebrities as heroes.

People have started giving more importance to money, wealth, luxurious lifestyle, fame, and status than human values, integrity, and humanitarian actions.

People have forgotten that a hero is a noble person. They have dignity and respect other humans. They have a deep interest in helping other human beings and take action accordingly.

Heroes don’t look for personal gains. But celebrities look for personal gains.

Celebrities horde and heroes give in difficult times.

Celebrities become selfish and heroes become selfless.

Heroes are selfless people who dedicate their lives to the betterment of others.

They are not recognition-hungry people.

They put duty and compassion over the desire for fame.

Let’s look into the kind of heroes present in society.

1. Everyday Heroes

Everyday heroes contribute to society daily in their own small yet significant ways.

They can be teachers who inspire students. They can be healthcare workers who save lives. They can be volunteers who help the less fortunate.

They can be road workers and rail workers who keep working for us, even in bad weather, to make our journeys smooth, and to make the transportation of goods smooth.

Everyday heroes can be social workers or everyday civilians.

Example: Arunima Sinha was a national-level volleyball player. She survived a horrific train accident that led to the amputation of her leg.

But this accident didn’t deter her from doing something extraordinary in life. She became a symbol of willpower and courage and climbed Mount Everest. She is the first female amputee to achieve this fete.

Arunima’s story of resilience and determination serves as an inspiration to many.

2. Crisis Responders

As the name suggests, crisis responders are groups or individuals who help us during emergencies and provide critical assistance.

They are courageous individuals, who often put their lives at risk to save others.

They can be healthcare workers like doctors and nurses, who worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They can be Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics.

They can be firefighters, police officers, or military personnel.

Example: People who know Captain Vikram Batra understand how brave he was. He played a significant role in the Kargil War.

Captain Vikram sacrificed his life while saving a fellow soldier.

His famous last words, “Jai Mata Di,” and his fearless actions have immortalized him as a hero in Indian military history.

3. Activists and Humanitarians

Activists and humanitarians are just simple people with no superpowers.

But they have a strong will. They dedicate their lives to advocating for social justice, human rights, and the betterment of society.

They work tirelessly to fight social issues like poverty, inequality, and various forms of discrimination.

They fight against the system for environmental conservation.

Example: People may have heard about Medha Patkar, an Indian social activist.

She is known for her “Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement)”. She has been fighting against the construction of large dams on the Narmada River.

Due to to construction of dams on this river, thousands of tribal and rural communities have been displaced without proper rehabilitation.

So Can Celebrities Be Real Heroes?

There are exceptions and some celebrities do leverage their fame and resources to support humanitarian causes.

Here are a couple of examples of celebrities who have done some heroic work.

Example 1: Hollywood icon John Travolta is not just a famous actor; he is also a licensed airline pilot.

His passion for aviation has seen him actively participate in various disaster relief efforts.

Notably, in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Travolta personally piloted his private jet to deliver essential supplies and medical personnel to the affected area.

This compassionate act provided crucial assistance to those impacted by the hurricane. (Sources: NBC News)

Example 2: Nana Patekar, a Bollywood actor has been doing humanitarian work.

He along with actor Makrand Anaspure, established the NAAM Foundation.

This foundation helps drought-affected farmers in Maharashtra by providing them financial assistance, water conservation projects, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. (Sources: The Hindu)

Final Thoughts

I’m not targeting Celebrities here. I just want the children, youth, and adults to be aware of who they are referring to as a “Hero”.

Celebrities do what they have to do, which is entertainment. They are here to entertain us and earn from it.

People need to focus on their own careers, life goals, and relationships.

What is the point of focusing and wasting your energies on celebrities?

Aware and well-educated people ignore them and their advertisements.

However, a large part of the population is influenced by them and tries to copy them. Whether those people are from India or in any other country of the world.

Stop celebrity obsession and focus on real heroes.

Focus on creating a society that values genuine contributions over superficial allure.

Let’s honor the true heroes among us, as they deserve it.

Strive to embody the qualities like bravery, integrity, and selflessness that define “Real Heroism”.