celebrity influence essay

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• Art /Entertainment The Power of Influence: How Celebrities Shape Culture and Society
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The Power of Influence: How Celebrities Shape Culture and Society

• Jack Williams
• May 11, 2023
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Celebrities have always been influential figures in society, with their lifestyles, opinions, and actions often shaping popular culture. From movie stars to musicians, athletes to influencers, these high-profile individuals have a powerful platform to influence their followers and fans.

With the rise of social media, celebrities have even more power than ever before. They can connect with millions of people instantly, sharing their views and experiences on a global scale. But just how much influence do they really have, and what impact does it have on our society?

The celebrity effect

Celebrities have a unique ability to capture the public’s attention and influence their behavior. Whether it’s a new fashion trend, a viral dance move, or a political endorsement, celebrities can shape our collective consciousness in ways we may not even realize.

For example, when a celebrity endorses a particular brand, it can have a significant impact on sales. A study by Nielsen found that celebrity endorsements can increase sales by up to 20%. Similarly, when a celebrity speaks out on social or political issues, it can raise awareness and inspire action among their followers.

Social media and the celebrity effect

Social media has taken the celebrity effect to a whole new level. With platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, celebrities can reach millions of people instantly, sharing their lives, opinions, and causes with their followers.

This level of access and influence has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it allows celebrities to connect with their fans on a more personal level, creating a sense of community and belonging. On the other hand, it can also lead to the spread of misinformation and the glorification of unhealthy behaviors.

The impact on society

The impact of celebrity influence on society is a topic of much debate. Some argue that celebrities can use their platform to bring attention to important issues and effect positive change. For example, actors like Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio have used their fame to raise awareness about global issues like climate change and human rights abuses.

Others, however, argue that the celebrity culture perpetuates unrealistic standards and values that can be harmful to society. The pressure to conform to certain beauty standards, for example, can lead to body image issues and low self-esteem, particularly among young people.

The role of the media

The media also plays a significant role in shaping the public’s perception of celebrities. The constant coverage of their lives, both good and bad, can influence how we view them and their actions.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to hold the media accountable for the way they report on celebrities. Some argue that the constant scrutiny can have negative effects on their mental health, while others point out the unfair and often sexist treatment of female celebrities.

The bottom line

There’s no denying the power of influence that celebrities have on shaping culture and society. Whether it’s through fashion, music, politics, or social issues, they have the ability to inspire change and impact millions of people.

But with great power comes great responsibility. As consumers of media, it’s important to be aware of the messages and values that are being promoted by celebrities and the media. By doing so, we can make informed choices about who we choose to follow and how we choose to engage with their content.

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Introduction

Teen behavior and celebrity influence, celebrities and promotion of negative behaviors.

Drug Abuse by Celebrities

Celebrity influence on teen image, teen self-esteem, teen body image.

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Youth, Celebrity Culture, and New Populism

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• First Online: 21 June 2024
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• Surjit Singha 4 &
• V. Muthu Ruben 5  

This essay examines the interaction between celebrity culture and new populism, significantly impacting young people’s conduct and aspirations. The influence of celebrity culture on how young individuals perceive themselves and their objectives is amplified by social media and influencers. Concurrently, new populist movements attract disillusioned youth seeking a change in conventional politics. The interaction between the celebrity-like strategies employed by new populist leaders and celebrity endorsements heightens their influence on the younger generation. However, this interaction may lead to conflicts between materialistic values and the socioeconomic promises of the new populism. Addressing these challenges requires promoting media literacy, responsible endorsements, and educational support, empowering youth to navigate these influences critically and collaboratively to shape a better future.

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Beck D (2023) Humorous parodies of popular culture as strategy in Boris Johnson’s populist communication. Br J Polit Int Rel 13691481231174165. https://doi.org/10.1177/13691481231174165

Caiani M, Padoan E (2023) Populism, popular culture and (pop) music: an introduction. In: Populism and (pop) music. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 1–62

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Dai Y, Cheng X, Liu Y (2023) Information alienation and circle fracture: policy communication and opinion-generating networks on social media in China from the perspective of COVID-19 policy. Systems 11(7):340. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11070340

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Liu PL, Li Q, Wang Z (2023) The impact of exposure to a scientific role model on Chinese young adults’ compliance with governmental COVID-19 restrictions: a moderated serial mediation model. Chin J Commun 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750.2023.2232894

Pickard S (2022) Young environmental activists and Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) politics: collective engagement, generational agency, efficacy, belonging and hope. J Youth Stud 25(6):730–750. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2022.2046258

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Department of Commerce, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

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Singha, S., Ruben, V.M. (2024). Youth, Celebrity Culture, and New Populism. In: Chacko Chennattuserry, J., Deshpande, M., Hong, P. (eds) Encyclopedia of New Populism and Responses in the 21st Century. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9859-0_443-1

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9859-0_443-1

Received : 01 August 2023

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The Science Survey

Analyzing the impact of celebrities.

Celebrities are more well known than most political figures in this day and age. Walk into a classroom and ask the students inside if they can name their local governor. A couple of hands, maybe some slight murmurs may arise from the classroom, but the majority remain hushed. Pull up a picture of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, however, and many more will start to take notice. Now imagine this scenario, but on the scale of today’s society. A survey conducted by reporters with the New York Times asked hundreds of thousands of its readers to attempt identifying  a list of 52 people composed of politicians, athletes and celebrities. 

On average, Americans did considerably worse at identifying politicians than that of partisan followers and avid news readers. For example, many avid Times readers could identify former British Prime minister Boris Johnson noticeably better, while they recognized more modern celebrities, such as popular YouTubers, much worse. However, the median age for an average Times reader is 54 years old, which is a significant minority of the overall population.

In today’s hyperconnected world, the influence of celebrities extends far beyond the realms of entertainment and into the fabric of society itself. From influencing consumer behavior to contributing to political discourse, celebrities wield significant power in today’s society and hold a unique position of influence. However, some critics agree otherwise, fearing the immense and potentially hazardous grasp they have on society. Exploring the role of celebrities and how they manage their platforms raises questions about how they can effectively navigate the complexities of brand appeal, politics, and the economy.

Celebrities possess a magnetic appeal that transcends borders and demographics. Their status as cultural icons affords them unparalleled visibility and reach, making them powerful drivers of consumer trends and brand loyalty. Endorsements from A-list stars can elevate a product’s status, increase sales, and shape consumer perceptions. Cristiano Ronaldo’s simple gesture at a press conference, where he removed two Coca-Cola bottles and encouraged people to “drink water” instead caused Coca-Cola’s stock to fall by 1.6%, costing them around $4 billion in the short-term. Whether it’s a fashion label, a luxury brand, or a social cause, celebrities have the ability to amplify messages and spur action.

Take a look at Michael Jordan’s brand, ‘Jordan,’ for example. In 1984, Nike sales had slipped nearly 30 percent from the previous year. Nike’s image was fading in the NBA, and popularity was dropping fast. This changed after they signed an explosive rookie, hailing from the Chicago Bulls. Jordan’s first shoe, the Air Jordan 1, transformed the company; first-year shoe sales totaled $126 million, a figure more than forty times Nike’s three-year sales estimate. Fast forward to last year: Nike grossed over $46 billion in sales, of which $5 billion was purely from their work with Jordan. Research shows that a $1,000 investment in pre – Jordan Nike could have purchased around 7,000 shares of Nike, which would be worth millions today. With the retro-revolutionary brand of Jordan, Nike was able to grow from a simple foot locker company to a massive sports conglomerate. 

Beyond just their role in shaping consumer preferences, celebrities play a significant role in the global economy. Their collaborations with brands, sponsorship deals, and entrepreneurial ventures contribute to economic growth and employment opportunities. Taylor Swift is a great example of this. Her recent Eras Tour recently broke the record as the highest-grossing tour ever, with a whopping $1 billion of revenue and numbers proje cting that she is bringing nearly $6 billion dollars into the economies of the cities the tour stopped in. In fact, studies show that for every $100 spent on the average show, an additional $300 is spent on necessities associated with traveling and attending the tour, such as hotels, food, and transportation. However, studies show that Swift’s fanbase, otherwise known as “Swifties,” generated an additional $1,300 on average in additional expenses, nearly 5 times more than the average  ratio. Combined with all the additional merchandise and concert-themed outfits of her fans, Taylor’s tour culminated to more than the GDP of dozens of nations in one tour.

However, with economic power comes social responsibility. As public figures with immense wealth and influence, celebrities have a duty to use their resources for the greater good. Many celebrities have embraced philanthropy, establishing charitable foundations, and supporting causes. Swift regularly donates to food banks while on her tours, providing meals for hundreds of thousands of people in every city she visits. Socialites and mega-billionaires, such as Bill Gates, make a point to engage in charity. Since 1994, Bill Gates has donated more than $50 billion dollars to eradicate diseases, promote education and advance equality. Celebrities can drive positive change and inspire others to join the fight against inequality and injustice by leveraging their platforms for social impact.

Their influence does not stop in just the economic sector, however. In recent years, celebrities have increasingly stepped into the political arena, leveraging their influence to champion causes and mobilize support. Their endorsement of political candidates, advocacy for social justice issues, and participation in grassroots movements can galvanize public opinion and drive voter turnout. Almost a year ago, Swift posted to her Instagram, where she has 272 million followers. “I’ve been so lucky to see so many of you guys at my U.S. shows recently. I’ve heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are,” she wrote in her story. “Make sure you’re ready to use them in our elections this year!” 

Within hours, vote.org recorded more than 35,000 registrations, marking the highest turnout since 2020. Andrea Hailey, CEO of the nonpartisan nonprofit, hailed it as a “highly encouraging sign of voter enthusiasm,” particularly among newly eligible voters. Swift’s influence was glaring as Vote.org reported a 1,226% jump in participation in the hour following her post.

Swift’s advocacy for voter registration is not an isolated incident, but part of the broader trend of celebrity engagement in social and political issues. While Swift had previously shied away from political endorsements, her recent activism reflects a growing willingness among celebrities to leverage their platforms for societal impact, potentially endorsing politicians that align with their views. With her visibility at a peak during the Eras Tour and the release of her re-recorded albums, Swift’s advocacy underscores the potential for celebrities to drive positive change and inspire civic engagement.

Amidst the allure of celebrity influence lies an ethical dilemma: should celebrities use their campaigns for societal influence, or should they remain neutral and apolitical? While some argue that celebrities have a moral obligation to speak out on issues of social importance, others caution against the dangers of politicizing entertainment and commercial endeavors. In an era of mass polarization, where an increasing social media and increased exposure to the internet have critics wondering whether celebrities and mass influencers should take sides in fear of increasing the divide. 

Celebrities, such as Taylor Swift, understand the potential hazards of their impact with their audience and use it wisely. Others use it for personal gain. Elon Musk’s infamous Dogecoin scandal still rings today in a $258 billion dollar lawsuit, where investors accuse Musk of deliberately driving up Dogecoin’s price by 36,000% for years before letting it crash in an elaborate pump-and-dump scheme, where Musk advertised Dogecoin by doing things like making the icon his profile picture in twitter and creating many positive tweets about it, causing a frenzy of investment that eventually fell sharply, causing many investors to suffer tremendous losses.

Ultimately, the decision rests with individual celebrities, who must weigh the potential risks and rewards of using their platforms for advocacy. Regardless of their choice, transparency, authenticity, and a genuine commitment to social responsibility are essential. 

Overall, celebrities possess a unique ability to shape public opinion, influence consumer behavior, and drive social change. While many fear their involvement in politics in fear of making it even more trend-driven than it already is, their popularity also presents an opportunity to address pressing societal issues and promote positive change. By leveraging their platforms for social impact, celebrities can inspire millions of fans to engage in meaningful action and contribute to a more just and equitable world. As stewards of their influence, celebrities must navigate the complexities of brand appeal, politics, and societal impact with integrity, transparency, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.

In today’s hyperconnected world, the influence of celebrities extends far beyond the realms of entertainment and into the fabric of society itself. From influencing consumer behavior to contributing to political discourse, celebrities wield significant power in today’s society and hold a unique position of influence.

• Michael Jordan
• Social Media
• Taylor Swift

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• Celebrities’ Influence on Teens: The Good and the Bad

• Empowering Teens

Celebrities have always had a powerful presence in American culture. Looking up to and even obsessing over celebrities is a part of growing up. But social media has given teens greater exposure to famous people than ever before. And like it or not, celebrities have a tremendous impact on how teens view themselves and how they behave.  

Some celebrities have a positive influence on young people, while others portray unrealistic and unattainable ideals of beauty. There are also celebrities who normalize, even glorify, substance use with their social media posts, song lyrics, or music videos. As the need for adolescent mental health treatment increases across the country, the positive and negative influence of celebrities is a topic too important to ignore.  

Key Takeaways

• Celebrities have a powerful impact on how teens view themselves and how they behave.
• A survey found that 1 in 3 women feel pressure to change their appearance because of online images. 
• Growing numbers of celebrities are speaking out about beauty standards, addiction, and mental health. As a result, they help to reduce stigma and raise awareness.
• Celebrities are real people with real struggles. Teens can learn from their experiences, including when and how to seek help.

The Impact of Media on Teen Body Image

Research shows that teen body image is shaped by many factors. These include friends and family, where the teen lives, and their cultural background. However, celebrity images have a profound impact on teen body image.

A YouGov survey found that most Americans think that the media has a negative impact on women’s body image. An overwhelming 76 percent of adults agree that the media promotes an unattainable body image for women. Additionally, more than half of those surveyed believe these unattainable body standards also exist for men.  

In addition to the media, the fashion industry has a long history of underrepresenting a wide range of body types in their advertising. The same survey revealed that only 11 percent of Americans feel that fashion companies have a positive impact on body image.  

How Celebrities Influence Teen Eating Disorders

Why does celebrity influence on teen body image matter? Because body dissatisfaction is linked to mental health challenges, including eating disorders, depression , anxiety , and low self-esteem.

Studies find that young women who consume media with many images of an unrealistic “thin ideal” are more likely to exhibit symptoms of disordered eating . In addition, the Girl Scouts Research Institute found that nearly half of girls ages 13 to 17 wish they were as skinny as the models in fashion magazines.

When Celebrities Go Too Far

Celebrity influencers play into this trend when they document their extreme diets or use language that can be triggering for those with eating disorders. For example, the entertainer Kim Kardashian expressed gratitude for being told she looked anorexic. News outlets covered a conversation between the Kardashians and the backlash it spawned.

When celebrities minimize the severity of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, or endorse taking unhealthy products to suppress appetite, they are emulating dysfunction.

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Furthermore, for celebrities who are exploited for their physical bodies as often as the Kardashian family is, they are shirking an opportunity to reframe the narrative around healthy weight. Hence, teens are told that looking skinny defines your worth. This messaging is superficial, heartbreaking for many, and can be deadly for those who suffer with life-threatening eating disorders.

And it’s not just teen girls who are affected. Research shows that young men also experience body dissatisfaction and depression as a result of viewing media images. And this body dissatisfaction can lead to unhealthy, excessive exercising among male teens.

Body Positivity Movement

In recent years, the body positivity movement has challenged cultural and societal deals of beauty. It encourages the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities.  

Companies like Dove have been at the forefront of body positivity. To mark 20 years since the launch of their “Campaign for Real Beauty”, the company conducted the world’s largest beauty report . They surveyed over 33,000 people across 20 countries to gauge the impact of beauty on women and girls around the world. The findings show the pressure girls and women are under to achieve societal beauty standards.  

Here are some highlights from the survey: 

• Only 2 percent of women feel they are beautiful 
• 1 in 3 women feel pressure to change their appearance because of online images 
• 2 in 5 young girls feel pressured to alter their appearance based on images of influencers they see on social media. 
• 2 in 5 women would give up a year of their life to achieve their beauty ideals 
• 9 in 10 women and girls have been exposed to harmful beauty content on social media  
• 65 percent of men and 68 percent of boys wish they were taller 
• 79 percent of men and 74 percent of boys don’t think they are muscular enough

Positive Celebrity Influence on Teen Body Image

Some celebrities influence the body-image discussion for the better. For example, singer Ariana Grande has been body-shamed for being too thin. Addressing the comments on TikTok, she wrote, “There are ways to compliment someone or to ignore something that you see that you don’t like, that I think we should help each other work towards. We should aim toward being safer and keeping each other safer.”

Other celebrities, including Rihanna and Zendaya, have spoken out against the ideals of beauty promoted by the entertainment and fashion industries. During the 2017 Beautycon Festival, Zendaya shared the importance of using her platform to show all of the beauty that exists within the African American community. “I am Hollywood’s, I guess you could say, acceptable version of a Black girl, and that needs to change.”

“You shouldn’t be pressured into trying to be thin by the fashion industry, because they only want models that are like human mannequins. You have to remember that it’s not practical or possible for an everyday woman to look like that. It’s not realistic and it’s not healthy.” —Rihanna

Substance Use and Celebrity Influence s

Celebrities influence teens in other ways as well. When stars post images of themselves drinking or smoking on social media, they normalize substance use. Furthermore, they make it appear attractive and cool. This is one way that social media can have a negative impact on teen mental health .

Teens often idolize celebrities and want to be like them. Therefore, if they see images on Instagram of a favorite singer or actor using drugs or drinking, they might be tempted to do so as well.

For example, a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study looked at teenagers who frequently listen to music that contains references to marijuana. Subsequently, they found that these teens are more likely to use the drug than teens with less exposure to such lyrics.

In addition, for every hour that American teens listen to music, they hear more than three references to different brand names of alcohol. Researchers say that this might contribute to teen drinking. In addition, researchers at Dartmouth Medical School found that movie characters who smoke cigarettes influence teens to try smoking. Therefore, media influence on youth can contribute to risk-taking behaviors.

Why Are Celebrities Good Role Models?

Some celebrities are open about their own struggles with body image or mental health. Selena Gomez is a notable example of a celebrity who has used her platform of more than 428 million social media followers to destigmatize mental health. She has openly shared her own struggles with bipolar disorder on social media and in her documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me .

In 2021 Gomez co-founded Wondermind , a mental health wellness website, with her mom Mandy Teefey, and newsletter entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. People can come to the site for information and resources on all things mental health including articles, interviews, even journaling prompts.

Singer Billie Eilish has become a strong advocate for mental health , openly sharing her struggles with body dysmorphia , depression, and suicidal thoughts. And Simone Biles received both criticism and applause when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics final individual all-around to focus on her mental health. The organization released a statement in support of the elite gymnast’s decision, saying, “We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”

These are just a few of the many celebrities who have shared their struggles with the world. As a result, celebrities play a significant role in influencing the public’s understanding of these issues.

How to Talk to Teens About Celebrity Influence

How does media influence teens? Because pop culture plays such a big role in teens’ lives, celebrities influence the way teens think and what they talk about. Therefore, parents can use celebrities’ experiences as avenues for talking about sensitive subjects.

Some celebrities are unable to overcome mental health conditions and continue to dive deeper into self-destructive behaviors. The death this year of famed “Friends” star Matthew Perry brought renewed attention to mental illness and substance use disorder . This tragedy is an opportunity for parents to reinforce that those suffering with mental health and substance use disorders must seek professional treatment as soon as possible.

Thus, celebrity anorexia cases offer opportunities to talk to teens about how dangerous the “thin ideal” can be. And they can discuss healthy ways to stay fit and eat well. Moreover, stars who speak out about coping with mental illnesses demonstrate that people with such diagnoses can be successful and happy.

Start the Conversation

As a parent, you might ask your teen what they admire about the stars they follow. What qualities do they want to emulate? Perhaps creativity, passion, or dedication? What can they learn from the lives of celebrities who have struggled with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or substance use?

It’s important to remember that celebrities are real people who experience real struggles. But because they are in the public eye, their influence on teens, good or bad, is powerful. As a parent, you can help them sort through the information to take away healthiest, most positive messages.

Mental Health Help for Teens

Celebrities and social media influencers are filling your teen’s social feed daily with images that may make them feel “less than” or “not enough.” It’s important to observe your teen for signs of any mental health struggles they may be experiencing, such as depression or anxiety.

Seeking treatment early is the best way support you teen in healing and prevent further health complications. Contact us today to learn more about our teen mental health treatment programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are celebrities good role models or not.

Celebrities can be good or bad role models for teens. Celebrities glamorize unhealthy fads and behaviors and encourage unrealistic body image standards. On the other hand, some celebrities choose to use their status to counteract harmful cultural messages, by reducing stigma around a particular issue or speaking out honestly about their own struggles.

Why are celebrities good role models?

Teens are in the process of determining their own values, beliefs and goals independent of their parents. It’s natural for teens to look up to celebrities, and celebrities who use their status responsibly can help shape the course of a teen’s life for the better.

Can a famous person be a role model?

Absolutely. Celebrities can inspire a young person to achieve goals beyond what they observe in their immediate community. They can motivate teens to engage with community causes and live a healthy lifestyle. Their impact is not limited to success stories. Celebrities can also be role models for how to get help for mental health issues or substance use disorder.

Who is the best person to be a role model?

The best role model for a teen is someone with a passion for what they do, solid values, and the ability to inspire others. Any person who can connect with a teen in these ways can be a role model—whether it’s a parent, a coach, a neighbor, or a distant celebrity.

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Media and Celebrity Influence on Society Essay

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Introduction

Media and celebrity, media and celebrity impacts on decision making, works cited.

There are various people all over the world who have become popular due their utterances, beliefs or even political ambitions. The various activities undertaken by the various individuals in performing their day to day life activities are the major source of their celebrity.

This is not usually the case as some people usually engage in illegal or even life threatening activities so that they can be recognized by the general public or a specific category of the society. The most popular people are found to influence so many things and perspectives of others.

The influence is usually not positive and thus can have adverse effects on the individuals or the community at large. This paper seeks to analyze the effects of media and celebrity to the society. It critically analyzes the impacts on decision making of various personnel from the celebrity influence checking whether it makes the personnel involved to make informed decisions.

There are various technologies used in the current world that are used to pass information among various people. These may printed like newspaper, audio like radio or audio visual like the television. These means of communication have been found to be very efficient and are mostly capable of passing information to large number of people within a very short period of time.

This is usually due to their well established networks all over the region. Some of these Medias are available to all persons worldwide while others are only available to specific geographic regions. Another means of communication that have found its way all over the world is the internet.

This service connects various people all around the globe and is very fast in communication. This service also provides social sites where different persons interact and share their views and opinions on various aspects that may be affecting them and the society at large.

These Medias usually pass various informations about different people in the society. The news may be praising or cursing different activities or events undertaken by various people across the world.

These media usually have no tight regulation about the access of the information and this usually makes the information land to the wrong audience. Some people usually depend on these Medias as their main source of information. Such people are found to base their arguments on the information provided without critically analyzing it (Miller, Hess and Orthmann 10).

This thus means that the presence of a mistake in the passing of the information may have very bad implications on the decisions that such people are likely to make. Such phenomenon usually occur when the source of information are celebrities whose followers usually take in whatever he or she says and are usually to his or her defense incase of any problem.

The environment in which the children are brought up in is usually important and it determines their argument basis and character as they grow up. The first argument that a child is taught as he is bought up usually sticks to their minds and they usually reject any other proposal.

The new approach to their already known version of an idea, person or activity usually finds its way in after persuasion. This thus requires the children to be exposed to the right kind of information so as to mould their characters and arguments in the positive way.

Young children are usually found to be fond of imitating various people for various reasons and these people who are their celebrity usually influence their characters. In the case that the celebrity is involved in activities that are illegal or against the culture, norms or traditions of a given community or society, then the children are most probable to be of ill character in future.

Many things that are usually heard or seen again and again are usually assimilated into a person’s life. This is one of the means in which the celebrities usually make their impacts on various peoples mind. When such opinions or activities are usually repeated, they are usually taken to be truth. The truth is that these opinions are not usually right and thus pose a very big danger if used to implement various things.

The opinions or views may be on political, social or economic issues. When celebrity or experts such as scientists and researchers are usually implicated in the production of a certain piece of material, people are usually found to be in favor with it without analyzing it. Due to the fact that these people are usually expert in these fields, people usually take the information without any modification.

This is evident in various advertisements where people make decision depending on the celebrities used in making the advertisement. The scarcity of an idea or such personnel is one of the means used by the celebrities to win and influence different people’s minds.

There are various reasons why people usually imitate celebrities. The celebrities are found to have strong influence on various people decision making and lifestyles. Lack of confidence in anything that one undertakes may cost him too much.

It usually results in one failing in whatever he is undertaking not because he has insufficient knowledge or capabilities but because he views himself inferior compared to others.

This usually gives the celebrities an upper hand in influencing the mind of the people involved. Peer pressure if not well controlled can lead people in to using invalid information. This problem is especially found among the youths whose activities and behavior is mainly influenced by the company of his age mates which he keeps and interacts with.

During their chatting, the youth’s discussions are usually based on the celebrities in various industries such as music and movies among others. In between the youths, some of them are found to be very convincing to others about information they got about certain celebrities from various media outlets (Program Committee 7).

To avoid critics from fellow peer group members, the youths usually imitate and take the information provided to them which sometimes turns out to be very bad and usually affects their future as they may find themselves undertaking illegal activities.

Body conformations are mostly inherited from our parents and grandparents. According to some celebrities, being slim is considered to be good looking especially for ladies. Most ladies are found to be very much concerned about their looks and are undergoing various activities such as surgery and lack of feeding to obtain their admirable conformation.

This usually leads to many complications and diseases which may sometimes lead to death. This is due to provision of wrong information to the public by the news agencies which usually make people to make unsound decisions (Good & Nichols 4).

In the political field, political celebrities have been found to lead people into crisis. These cases usually are executed for personal gain to a person or a group of people. The main cause of the prevalence of such occurrences is lack of proper information and ignorance among the community or society members (Leslie 1).

The media is found to give the image of the celebrities as good or bad. The media usually presents information in audio, visual, written or audio visual impacts which have great impacts on the children and the youths. To the young, these impacts are usually very significant in modeling their personality.

The young children are found to look up to celebrities as their role model and usually have no one to guide them so that they can make good judgment on the information they are given.

The youths on the other hand find the peer pressure to be one of the greatest forces driving them. The youths and the children should be given proper guidance so as to avoid them from getting into activities that may ruin their lives.

On the other hand, the media personality should be very careful of the utterances they make when performing their shows. In general media affects our perception of various activities and thus to maintain good culture, everyone should join hands to make our children’s future brighter.

Good, Thomas & Nichols, Sharon. America’s teenagers–myths and realities: media images, schooling, and the social costs of careless indifference . London: Routledge, 2004. Print.

Leslie, Larry. Celebrity in the 21st Century: A Reference Handbook . California: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Print.

Miller, Linder., Hess, Karen & Orthmann, Christine. Community Policing: Partnerships for Problem Solving . Stamford, United Kingdom: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.

Program Committee. Studying Media Effects on Children and Youth: Improving Methods and Measures, Workshop Summary . Washington: National Academies Press, 2007. Print.

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How to Write on The Influence of Celebrities on Youth: 3 Best Essay Examples

Writing about the influence of celebrities on youth can be both exciting and challenging. Celebrities significantly impact young minds, affecting their choices, behavior, and even values. Let's dive into how you can effectively craft essays on this topic with the help of three comprehensive examples.

• What is an Essay on The Influence of Celebrities on Youth?

An essay on the influence of celebrities on youth explores how public figures, ranging from pop stars and movie actors to social media influencers, shape the attitudes and behaviors of young people. This type of essay often examines both the positive and negative aspects of this influence.

• What Makes a Good Essay on The Influence of Celebrities on Youth?

To write an effective essay on this topic, consider the following tips:

• Clear Thesis: Your essay should provide a clear thesis statement outlining the main point or argument.
• Balanced Perspective: Address both positive and negative influences to provide a comprehensive analysis.
• Use Examples: Relate your arguments to real-life celebrity actions and their impact on youth behavior.
• Well-Structured: Ensure your essay has a proper introduction, body, and conclusion with logical transitions.
• Research: Support your examples with data and credible sources.
• Example 1: Celebrity Influence on Youth Fashion and Lifestyle Choices

Introduction

Teenagers today are increasingly influenced by the fashion and lifestyle choices of celebrities. From clothing and accessories to fitness routines, young individuals often emulate their favorite stars. This essay will explore how and why celebrities play a pivotal role in shaping the fashion sense and lifestyle choices of youth.

Positive Influence

• Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Many celebrities endorse healthy living, inspiring youth to adopt habits like regular exercise and nutritious eating.
• Encouraging Self-Expression: Celebrities often push the boundaries of fashion, enabling youth to express their individuality.

Negative Influence

• Pressure to Conform: The desire to imitate celebrities can lead to unhealthy comparisons and a loss of individuality.
• Unrealistic Standards: Celebrity portrayals of 'perfect' bodies may contribute to body image issues among young people.

In conclusion, while celebrities significantly influence youth fashion and lifestyle choices, it is essential for young people to balance their admiration with critical thinking.

• Example 2: The Impact of Celebrities on Youth’s Career Aspirations

Celebrities today often serve as role models for young individuals, impacting their career aspirations. This essay will analyze how various celebrities inspire youth to pursue specific professional paths and the implications of this influence.

• Inspiring Ambition: Success stories of celebrities can motivate young people to strive for excellence in their chosen fields.
• Exploring New Fields: Exposure to celebrity-endorsed careers, like acting, music, and sports, can broaden career options for youth.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Celebrity success stories may give youth a distorted view of the effort required for success, leading to disillusionment.
• Narrowing Career Choices: Overemphasis on fame-related careers might divert attention from equally rewarding but less glamorous professions.

The influence of celebrities on youth career aspirations has its positive and negative aspects. Encouraging a balanced perspective is crucial for young individuals to make well-informed career decisions.

• Example 3: Celebrity Influence on Youth’s Social and Political Views

The social and political influence of celebrities on youth is undeniable. This essay will explore how celebrities shape the social and political ideologies of young people, focusing on both positive and negative impacts.

• Raising Awareness: Celebrities often use their platforms to raise awareness about critical social and political issues, encouraging youth involvement.
• Advocating for Change: Many celebrities advocate for positive societal changes, inspiring youth to participate in activism.
• Misinformation: Celebrities may lack expertise on certain issues and spread misinformation, leading youth astray.
• Polarization: Celebrity endorsements of specific ideologies can contribute to social and political polarization among young people.

While celebrities can positively influence the social and political views of youth, it is essential for young individuals to critically evaluate the information they receive and maintain diverse perspectives.

• Tips for Writing Your Essay

Here are some additional tips to help you write a compelling essay on the influence of celebrities on youth:

• Choose Relevant Examples: Use current and relatable examples of celebrities to make your essay more engaging.
• Balanced View: Avoid taking an overly positive or negative stance; instead, provide a nuanced perspective.
• Engage Your Audience: Start your essay with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention.
• Cite Credible Sources: Support your arguments with data and references from reputable sources.

Writing about the influence of celebrities on youth allows you to engage with a dynamic topic that affects many aspects of society. By providing balanced perspectives and real-life examples, you can create impactful essays that resonate with readers and offer meaningful insights into this fascinating subject.

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Celebrity Influence on Mental Health: Changing the Narrative

For a lot of people that struggle with mental health issues, the first steps to getting professional care can be the most difficult. Studies show that negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental illnesses often stand in the way of someone speaking out and asking for help when they need it.

Experts say that promoting peer norming programs and safe messaging is one way to overcome the stigma surrounding mental health problems. In recent years, the cause has gained some serious star power with prominent public figures now advocating mental health awareness and normativity.

Celebrities for Mental Health

​Historically, celebrities were solely known for the characters they played or the music they made and expected to “stay in their lane.” But now, some stars are choosing to show that they are more than their stage roles and are human beings like the rest of the world. Unmasking this persona includes sharing that they, too, struggle with mental health and mental disorders. Celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Chrissy Tegan, Taraji P. Henson, and more have made it their mission to break mental health stigmas.

Demi Lovato

Grammy-winning singer Demi Lovato (pronouns: they/them/theirs) sparked conversations about mental health during a 2011 ABC News interview. In the interview, Lovato explained that during their treatment for drug addiction and eating disorders, they were diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

During that time, Lovato was offered strategies to manage their emotions and cope with the effects of bipolar disorder. “For the first time in my life, I started to feel,” the singer said. Lovato’s struggles with mental health evolved into advocacy. They are now the celebrity spokesperson for Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health campaign.

Taraji P. Henson

Golden Globe-winning actress Taraji P. Henson was inspired to create a mental health foundation in memory of her father, Boris Lawrence Henson, a Vietnam veteran who struggled with mental health issues. Through the foundation, she has raised funds through grants, donations, and events for free therapy courses, scholarships for Black students in mental health careers, a mental health support group, and a Facebook program.

Henson’s end goal is to normalize the stigma of mental health conversations in the African-American community. In a Town & Country Magazine interview, she said, “The first thing we wanted to do was get Black people talking about mental health, let’s just get it out there. I’ll say something. I’ll break the ice.”

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen is known for many things, including being a New York Times best-selling cookbook author and a host of the Emmy Award-nominated TV series, “Lip Sync Battle.” She is also famously known for her candid tweets. Many of her followers appreciate that she shares her unfiltered stance on various issues while maintaining a refreshing sense of humor. One of the issues she has recently brought to light is her mental health problems related to postpartum depression.

Chrissy went public in a candid essay published in the April 2017 issue of Glamour magazine discussing her postpartum depression. “I started taking an antidepressant, which helped. And I started sharing the news with friends and family—I felt like everyone deserved an explanation, and I didn’t know how else to say it other than the only way I know: just saying it. It got easier and easier to say it aloud every time.” she wrote.

Teigen finished her essay by explaining why she finally made the courageous decision to share her battles with postpartum depression. “I want people to know it can happen to anybody, and I don’t want people who have it to feel embarrassed or to feel alone.”

Athletes for Mental Health

Athletes are not ones to shy away from speaking about their battles with mental health either. Balance beams, basketball courts, and sporting arenas are no longer the only places where their voice is recognized. Many athletes are making revolutionary strides towards creating a safer environment for people to speak about mental health issues.

Simone Biles

Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles recently shocked the world by withdrawing herself from the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics. In light of this ‘controversial’ decision, she received a lot of support from other Olympians who have admitted that they’ve also struggled with similar issues.

Allyson Felix, an 11th-time Olympic medal winner, took to Simones’ defense by saying, “With everything that Simone has gone through, I’m really proud of her and the way she is standing up for herself but also making things better for others and bringing a lot to the forefront of these conversations.”

Kevin Love, a decorated basketball player, began his journey of publicly speaking about his battle with depression after he had a panic attack in a game against the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 ​. His panic attack was so severe that he had to leave the court suddenly. When recalling the life-changing episode, Love emphasized how it felt like a near-death experience.

Love wrote an essay featured in The Players’ Tribune titled ‘To Anybody Going Through It‘ a few years later. In the letter, he candidly says, “Listen, I’m not trying to sell you some fairy-tale version of mental health. It took me years and years — hell, it genuinely took 29 years for me to realize what I needed. I needed medication. I needed therapy. I still need those things now, and I probably always will.” He concludes the essay by encouraging others to seek therapy as well.

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka took the tennis world by storm after successfully becoming a four-time Grand Slam champion and the first Asian player to hold the No. 1 ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association. What has also been shocking to the tennis world was her decision to withdraw from the French Open to tend to her mental health.

In a Time Magazine essay, titled ‘It’s O.K. Not to Be O.K.’ Naomi gives insight into what led her to make this decision. She says, “In the past few weeks, my journey took an unexpected path but one that has taught me so much and helped me grow. I learned a couple of key lessons.” The key takeaway from her article is that no matter who you are or what you do, it’s okay to take breaks and do what’s best for your mental health.

With more and more celebrities and athletes talking about their mental health difficulties openly and transparently, they are putting the CDC recommendations into play, gradually making the topic less taboo.

How can I, too, become a mental health advocate?

Anyone can be a mental health advocate. In fact, you may already be one. If you are speaking about mental health issues, you are an advocate. Here are some tips to take it even further:

• Educate yourself on mental health
• Share your story
• Find a mental health group to volunteer for
• Encourage others to change stigmatizing language
• Join an awareness event or contribute to a charity fund
• The future of mental health awareness

The recent public conversations about mental health are a significant turning point in the movement towards positive mental health, partly due to well-known influencers and public health movements encouraging people to talk. Additionally, we have more mental health services open to people in need of support.

Thrive Peer Support offers proven behavioral health recovery services to people struggling with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Thrive’s peer support program restores hope by embracing all pathways to recovery and providing compassionate, comprehensive continuing care.

Essay on Celebrities Influence On Youth

Students are often asked to write an essay on Celebrities Influence On Youth in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Celebrities Influence On Youth

Role models.

Many young people look up to celebrities like stars in the sky. They see them in movies, hear their songs, and follow their lives on social media. Often, they want to be just like them because they seem successful and happy. This makes celebrities powerful role models who can shape what youth think is important or cool.

Fashion and Style

What celebrities wear can quickly become a huge trend among young people. If a famous singer wears a unique hat or a sports star has a new hairstyle, many teens will want the same thing. They use these styles to express themselves and to fit in with their friends.

Behavior and Choices

The actions of celebrities can influence the choices of young people. If a celebrity is seen doing charity work, it might inspire youth to help others. But if a celebrity makes bad choices, like breaking the law, some young people might think that’s okay too, which can lead to problems.

Health and Body Image

Celebrities often show off perfect bodies and faces, but this can make regular teens feel bad about how they look. They might try to change their diet or exercise in unhealthy ways to look like their favorite stars. It’s important for youth to know that many celebrity images are not real.

Positive Influence

250 words essay on celebrities influence on youth.

Young people often look up to famous individuals like actors, musicians, and sports stars. These stars are role models because they are successful and well-known. Kids and teenagers may want to be like them, copying what they wear, how they act, and what they say.

Fashion and Lifestyle

Celebrities often set trends in fashion and lifestyle. You might see a famous person wearing a new style of clothes and suddenly, many young people are wearing the same thing. They influence what is cool to wear, how to style hair, and even what gadgets to use.

Behavior and Attitudes

The way celebrities behave can also affect young people. If a star is kind and works hard, they can inspire others to do the same. But if they act badly or break rules, some youths might think this is okay and follow suit.

Stars often have fit bodies and talk about their diets and exercise. This can make young people want to be healthy, which is good. But sometimes, it can also make them feel bad about how they look or push them to diet in unhealthy ways.

Celebrities have a big influence on youth. They can inspire them to dress in certain ways, act kindly, and live healthy lives. It’s important for young people to remember that stars are human too, and not everything they do should be copied. Choosing the right role models is key to growing up well.

500 Words Essay on Celebrities Influence On Youth

Introduction to celebrity influence, copying styles and trends.

One of the biggest ways celebrities affect youth is through fashion and style. When a famous singer or actor wears a new kind of clothing, hairstyle, or accessory, many young people want to look the same. They may ask their parents to buy them similar clothes or try to copy the style themselves. This can be fun and help them feel connected to their favorite star, but it can also lead to pressure to always have the latest things.

Setting Examples with Actions

What celebrities do in their personal lives can also influence young people. When stars do good things, like helping others or speaking up for what’s right, they can inspire young people to do the same. But if a celebrity makes poor choices, such as breaking the law or being unkind, it can send the wrong message. Young people might think that this behavior is okay, which can lead to problems.

Impact on Health and Body Image

Influence on dreams and ambitions.

Famous people can also affect what young people want to be when they grow up. If they see a celebrity who is a successful musician, athlete, or business person, they might want to follow in their footsteps. This can be a good thing if it helps them work hard and aim for success. But sometimes, it can make them think that being famous is the only way to be happy or important, which isn’t true.

Responsibility of Celebrities

Because they have such a big impact on young people, it’s important for celebrities to think about how they act and what they say. They should try to set a good example and remember that many people are watching them. When they make mistakes, they should be honest about them and show that everyone has flaws, but it’s important to learn and grow.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Celebrity — Celebrity Influence on Today’s Society

Celebrity Influence on Today's Society

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Celebrities’ impact on health-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and status outcomes: protocol for a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis

• Steven J. Hoffman 1 , 2 , 3 ,
• Yasmeen Mansoor 1 , 4 ,
• Navneet Natt 1 , 5 ,
• Lathika Sritharan 1 ,
• Julia Belluz 6 ,
• Timothy Caulfield 7 ,
• Yoni Freedhoff 8 , 9 ,
• John N. Lavis 2 , 3 , 10 &
• Arya M. Sharma 11  

Systematic Reviews volume  6 , Article number:  13 ( 2017 ) Cite this article

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Celebrities are highly influential people whose actions and decisions are watched and often emulated by wide audiences. Many celebrities have used their prominent social standing to offer medical advice or endorse health products, a trend that is expected to increase. However, the extent of the impact that celebrities have in shaping the public’s health-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and status is unclear. This systematic review seeks to answer the following questions: (1) Which health-related outcomes are influenced by celebrities? (2) How large of an impact do celebrities actually have on these health-related outcomes? (3) Under what circumstances do celebrities produce either beneficial or harmful impacts?

Ten databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Communication Complete, Sociological Abstracts, Social Sciences Citation Index, Journals @ Scholars Portal, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. Two reviewers conducted title and abstract screening and full-text screening to identify primary studies that employed empirical methods (either quantitative or qualitative) to examine celebrities’ impact on health-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, or status outcomes.

The results of this review will contribute to our understanding of celebrity influences and how to design positive evidence-based celebrity health promotion activities. In addition, these findings can help inform the development of media reporting guidelines pertaining to celebrity health news and provide guidance to public health authorities on whether and how to respond to or work with celebrities.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42015019268

Peer Review reports

Celebrities can have a tremendous influence on the knowledge we retain, the attitudes we adopt, and the decisions we make, including those that affect our health [ 1 – 4 ]. A previous systematic meta-narrative analysis identified 14 biological, psychological, and social mechanisms through which celebrities influence our health-related behaviors, illustrating how the mechanics of celebrity and popular culture is a serious public health issue (see Table  1 for the 14 mechanisms) [ 5 , 6 ]. This previous analysis identified those 14 mechanisms by systematically reviewing and synthesizing relevant research from economics, marketing, neuroscience, psychology, and sociology. The review of economics literature showed that celebrities can catalyze herd behavior, and help distinguish endorsed items from competitors. Marketing studies explained that celebrities’ characteristics are transferred to endorsed products which lends credibility to these products. These findings were supported by emerging neuroscience research which showed that brain regions involved in making positive associations are activated by seeing or hearing celebrity endorsements. The review of psychology literature showed that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice and that are subconsciously pushed to follow it to avoid cognitive dissonance and to become more like those celebrities they admire. Finally, the sociology literature explained how the spread of celebrity advice through social networks increases its influence and that people follow this advice to acquire celebrities’ social capital [ 5 , 6 ].

Yet, despite this existing evidence about why people trust celebrities with their health, there is less evidence—and, to the best of our knowledge, no synthesized evidence—measuring the magnitude of this influence and the conditions that mediate it across different contexts.

Addressing this evidence gap is vitally important. On the one hand, celebrities may serve as an untapped resource for public health promotion efforts, where their influence could bring about positive changes in public opinion and health-related behaviors. This positive celebrity health effect was witnessed as early as the 1990s, after basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive [ 7 ]. In the weeks following this disclosure, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National AIDS Hotline reported over 28,000 calls from people expressing an increased concern about HIV/AIDS and seeking AIDS-related information [ 8 ].

Celebrity advocacy can also lead to the adoption of certain health prevention behaviors, as seen more recently with Angelina Jolie’s public announcement of her double mastectomy. Months later, studies recorded an increase in the number of high-risk patient screenings for the impugned BRCA1 gene [ 9 ]. These studies suggest that celebrities can serve as agents of positive social change, erasing stigma associated with disease and prompting information-seeking and preventative behaviors. However, at the same time, the power of celebrities to sway public opinion can equally be a cause for concern [ 10 – 12 ]. Some authors criticize celebrities for presenting biased health information that evokes irrational fear and persuades audiences to behave in a certain way, rather than educating patients [ 11 ]. For example, Sabel and Sin discovered that many of the women who consulted a surgeon for an elective bilateral mastectomy following Jolie’s announcement were unsuitable candidates for the procedure following a thorough evaluation of their genome and family history [ 12 ]. Therefore, it may be important to combine celebrity advocacy with expert-led patient education in order to provide complete and accurate information about health issues and appropriately guide patient behavior [ 10 – 12 ].

Celebrities may also negatively affect the public’s health [ 13 – 15 ]. TV celebrity Jenny McCarthy’s anti-vaccine movement, for example, has captured significant public attention and roused concerns about vaccine safety [ 16 – 18 ]. Such celebrity advocacy can be counterproductive to the efforts of public health organizations that invest substantial resources in promoting the life-saving benefits of immunization [ 19 ]. With social media, it is now easier than ever for celebrities, journalists, and amateur bloggers to communicate directly with the public to influence their knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviors; as technology further develops, this ability of non-experts to reach the masses will only increase and become more important to understand [ 20 – 22 ]. For example, in 2012, pop and R&B sensation Beyoncé signed a $50 million advertising contract with Pepsi—news that made national headlines [ 23 ]. This is not the first instance where famous musicians have been found to advertise unhealthy food items to the public through media outlets. A descriptive study by Bragg et al. found that 81% of foods endorsed by musicians featured in the Teen Choice Awards were of poor nutritional quality [ 24 ]. Given that youth and adolescents are a primary target of these promotional advertisements and moreover a significant at-risk group for obesity, these findings suggest inherent value in establishing guidelines that limit child exposure to celebrity food advertisements [ 13 , 24 ]. As such, there is a potential opportunity for public health authorities to partner with celebrities, provided we better understand the impact of celebrity involvement and the conditions that determine this impact.

This planned review will compile empirical research evidence that evaluates the impact of celebrity health activities and the conditions that influence the direction and magnitude of that impact. To the extent possible, we will use a meta-analytic approach to synthesize the results from previous studies. Qualitative research will also comprise a critical component of our analysis, as we strive to better understand the health-related attitudes, behaviors, and preferences that are pervasive in society, their sociocultural underpinnings, and how celebrities may influence these beliefs. Ultimately, this review will use both quantitative and qualitative evidence to answer the following questions:

Which health-related outcomes are influenced by celebrities? We will focus on identifying the impact of celebrities’ advice on various health-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and status outcomes. Health-related outcomes of interest will include a series of short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes, and are illustrated in the logic model (see Fig.  1 ).

Logic model of the systematic review. This logic model illustrates the rationale and the interaction among the health-related outcome measures that will be assessed by this review

How large of an impact do celebrities actually have on these health-related outcomes? We aim to uncover both the directionality and the magnitude of celebrity impact on health by conducting a meta-analysis of quantitative studies.

Under what circumstances do celebrities produce either beneficial or harmful impacts? We will identify underlying and/or contextual factors that may also influence the impact of celebrities by conducting subgroup analyses of factors (i.e., demographical impact and location) as well as meta-regression analysis. Thematic synthesis of qualitative research will also shed light on individual factors that may render certain groups of individuals more susceptible to celebrity influence.

Currently, there only exists a fragmented collection of primary studies evaluating celebrities’ impact on health. Topics investigated by these primary studies include body image, cancer screening, smoking, and suicide. In addition, outcomes are evaluated across various populations and environments. Through the planned systematic review and meta-analysis, we will determine the extent to which the health effects of celebrity activities are consistent across the range of outcomes, populations, environments, and interventions. In order to effectively analyze such a heterogeneous pool of data and offer meaningful conclusions, studies will be categorized by common themes and outcomes. By encompassing a wide range of quantitative and qualitative evidence in our review, we aim to produce meaningful effect sizes to enhance our understanding of the present celebrity-health phenomenon and guide policymakers in facilitating significant and positive public health initiatives.

Overall, the results of this review should be helpful in understanding when to worry about negative celebrity influences and designing positive evidence-based celebrity health promotion activities. Findings could also help inform the development of media reporting guidelines pertaining to celebrity health news and provide guidance to public health authorities on whether and how to respond to or work with celebrities.

Study registration

We will conduct this systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis adhering to the following protocol and will report any changes to the protocol that arise as we proceed. The methods and design of this systematic review protocol are in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-P), available as an additional file to this protocol (see Additional file 1 ). This protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42015019268).

Types of study designs

Both quantitative and qualitative studies will be included in this systematic review to identify all empirical research evidence pertaining to the impact of celebrities on health-related outcomes.

All quantitative impact evaluations, including experiments (e.g., randomized controlled trials), quasi-experiments (e.g., interrupted time-series analyses), and observational designs (e.g., pooled time-series and cross-sectional analyses) will be included. Based on the results of our pilot search, we anticipate that most studies encountered will likely be observational in nature (see Additional file 2 for pilot search strategy). Within observational evaluations, both ecological studies (i.e., comparisons of groups rather than individuals) and individual-level studies (e.g., surveys of opinions) will be assessed. It is of value to include both ecological and individual-level studies since ecological studies alone face limitations with respect to identifying causal effects, whereas individual-level studies have an increased risk of reporting bias [ 25 ].

Qualitative studies will complement the knowledge gained from quantitative analyses, especially in providing rich insights into the contexts in which celebrities affect health-related outcomes. Qualitative research evidence will specifically allow us to better understand the meaning of the quantitative data, explore how individuals or groups may perceive certain celebrity interventions, and better understand the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms underlying the factors that mediate any influence.

Types of participants

We will only include studies that evaluate the impact of celebrity health activities on individuals or groups of individuals. Studies that evaluate the impact of celebrities on corporations, governments, organizations, or similar entities will not be considered.

Types of settings

Studies from all settings and countries will be considered, which is appropriate given that the influence of celebrities manifests itself in different places and across geography and culture.

Types of interventions

Interventions include any health-related campaigns, news events, programs, or statements that primarily revolve around a celebrity or several celebrities—whether or not the celebrities intended to cause a health effect. Existing literature defines celebrity status in a number of ways, with a recent emphasis on celebrity as a type of capital that results from accumulated media visibility and recognizability [ 26 , 27 ]. We aim to be liberal in our understanding of who are “celebrities,” with the recognition that various cultures may endow celebrity status in different ways and this may or may not be linked to media presence. Therefore, we chose to define celebrities as well-known and highly visible individuals in society, including but not limited to athletes, entertainment stars, media personalities, politicians, religious leaders, and socialites. Interventions will be included regardless of whether or not a celebrity played an active first-hand role in influencing a health-related outcome. In some cases, a celebrity may personally advocate for health-related behaviors; in other cases, a celebrity may be indirectly involved, such as a newspaper reporting on a particular health condition with which a celebrity was recently diagnosed. The goal is to broadly evaluate the impact of celebrities on health-related outcomes rather than only purposefully designed celebrity interventions that specifically aim to affect health-related outcomes.

Randomized controlled interventions are not necessary for a study to be included in this review. Examples of possible control interventions include, but are not limited to, comparator groups who were not exposed to the celebrity health activity. Studies without a control group will still be included in the review for the purposes of qualitative synthesis; however, only studies that assess the intervention in comparison to a control group will be included in the meta-analysis.

Type of outcomes

The outcomes of interest in this review can be divided into short-, medium-, and long-term effects of celebrity intervention on health-related outcomes. In the short-term, celebrities may alter the public’s health-related knowledge, such as by changing the public’s understanding of a certain disease’s etiology, risk, diagnosis, and treatment. In the medium-term, celebrities may change the health-related attitudes and/or behaviors of the public. The Health Belief Model proposed that individuals’ perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers related to health-related issues are precursors for their “readiness to act” and perform various health-related behaviors [ 28 ]. As such, we defined “health-related attitudes” to encompass this range of perceptions that help to shape individuals’ intentions to perform health-related behaviors. For instance, fear of needles may be viewed as a health-related attitude that will influence whether an individual seeks vaccination. A health behavior was originally defined by Kebl and Cobb as any activity undertaken by a person who believes himself to be healthy for the purpose of preventing disease or detecting disease in an asymptomatic stage [ 29 ]. For the purposes of this review, we are interested in examining both positive and negative celebrity influences as it applies to all individuals, both healthy and unhealthy, and thus defined a “health-related behavior” as any action that may promote or diminish one’s health status, be that physical, mental, or emotional well-being. For example, the decision of a high-risk patient to be screened for cancer would be a positive health behavior that can potentially benefit long-term health status, whereas declining treatment contrary to medical advice would be a negative health behavior that can lead to diminished health status. Finally, in the long-term, health status outcomes such as the incidence and prognosis of a preventable disease will be considered. These long-term health status outcomes are this review’s primary outcomes of interest; however, the secondary short- and medium-term outcomes serve as helpful secondary surrogate measures in the meta-analysis and potential mediating factors for study in the meta-regression analysis. Collecting evidence of celebrity influence on a wide range of primary and secondary outcomes from short- to long-term will allow for a comprehensive assessment of celebrity influence on health. The logic model illustrates this rationale and the interaction between these outcome measures in determining short-, medium-, and long-term health-related outcomes (see Fig.  1 ).

Search strategy

We constructed a generic search strategy and adapted it for the MEDLINE database in consultation with health sciences and social sciences information specialists at McMaster University (see Table  2 ). With the goal of conducting the most comprehensive review possible, we aimed to maximize the sensitivity of our search by encompassing a broad range of potential celebrity interventions and health-related outcome measures in the search terms. We maintained specificity by taking a conservative approach to defining the inclusion and exclusion criteria (see “ Selection of studies ” section below).

We adapted the generic search strategy for the following ten electronic databases (see Additional file 3 for all adapted search strategies): CINAHL (1982 to July 2014); Communication Complete (1915 to July 2014); EMBASE (1947 to July 2014); Journals @ Scholars Portal (no date restrictions); OVID MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (1946 to July 2014); Proquest Dissertations & Theses A&I electronic database (all dates); PsycINFO (1806 to July 2014); PubMed (1966 to July 2014); Social Sciences Citation Index (1976 to July 2014); and Sociological Abstracts (1952 to July 2014). We searched a combination of health and social sciences databases and additionally looked for gray literature. All searches were run on July 31, 2014. There were no language restrictions and the databases were searched from their earliest date of inception.

Selection of studies

Two members of the research team (YM/NN) independently screened the title and abstract of each study for inclusion based on a pre-established eligibility screening form (Additional file 4 ). This eligibility criteria form was used to screen for both quantitative and qualitative studies and, moreover, helped to categorize which studies belonged to which study design. Articles were selected during the title/abstract screening if reviewers answered “yes” to all three questions:

Independent variable : Does the study explore a potential association with celebrities as the intervention?

Dependent variable : Does the study explore a potential association with outcomes associated with health-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and/or status? (Note that health-related behaviors encompass a wide range of actions that can either promote or threaten one’s health)

Method : Is the study an empirical evaluation? (Either quantitative or qualitative)

Disagreements were resolved through discussion between the two reviewers. If there had been a case in which a consensus could not be reached, the principal investigator (SJH) would have been consulted, although that was never necessary. Studies that were eligible for inclusion based on title and abstract screening were then reviewed in a full-text screening exercise. The same inclusion criteria were used during full-text screening as the title/abstract screening but with two adjustments: first, the full-text screening required a precise examination of whether celebrity interventions were being evaluated and if a health-related knowledge, attitude, behavior, or status outcome was being measured; and second, we narrowed our third eligibility criteria to only include empirical studies that had been peer-reviewed . Doing so enhanced the specificity of our search, allowing us to exclude studies that were likely to be less robust and credible. Again, the two independent reviewers used an eligibility screening form to determine which studies met the full-text inclusion criteria (see Additional file 5 for the full-text screening form). Disagreements were resolved through discussion; if consensus could not be reached, the principal investigator would have been consulted, although that was never necessary. Figure  2 visualizes the first part of a PRISMA flowchart showing the number of articles included and excluded at each stage of screening.

PRISMA flowchart of the systematic review. This flowchart outlines the process of database searches, hand searches, title and abstract screening, and full-text screening, and lists the number of studies included and excluded with reasons

Data extraction from quantitative studies

Given the likely variability among studies and the challenges we anticipate in developing a standardized form that can be applied to all included studies, three stages of data extraction will be conducted. In the first stage, general study information will be gathered including details about participant demographics, interventions, and methods employed (see Additional file 6 for a draft form for stage one of data extraction). This will help make data extraction more efficient by grouping together studies with similar study designs. The next phase of data extraction will focus specifically on defining outcome variables. This information will be used to further group studies by outcomes, thus facilitating the development of a third data extraction form specifically tailored to each subgroup of studies. The third data extraction form will focus on collecting precise quantitative data and key findings specific to the outcome measures reported in the second data extraction form. As there will be a large number of studies in this review, data extraction will be completed by two pairs of extractors (four reviewers total), with each pair randomly assigned half of the studies.

The three data extraction forms will be developed through a series of calibration exercises involving the investigators, data extractors, and a statistician. Specifically, each extractor will independently extract data from three purposively selected studies with diverse methodologies and celebrity activities. After data extraction is performed, discrepancies will be discussed until full agreement is reached among the extractors. We will also ask each extractor for feedback to modify the data extraction forms such that they are user-friendly and applicable to the wide range of studies that are included. These calibration exercises will be repeated until all four reviewers agree on a reliable set of data extraction forms and achieve near-perfect consistency in the extraction process. After finalizing the standardized data extraction forms, they will be implemented in Distiller SR online software to maximize efficiency of the data extraction process. Similar to the calibration exercises, disagreements will be resolved by discussion between reviewers to achieve consensus and consultation with the principal investigator if necessary.

Data extraction from qualitative studies

Two extractors will independently describe the main findings from the included qualitative studies using a standardized form implemented in Distiller SR. Extractors will record specific text fragments from the studies wherever possible and appropriate. In line with our third research question, we will also extract information on any factors identified as mediators of celebrities’ impact on health-related outcomes and make note of any themes or trends that are uncovered. Overall themes across all included qualitative studies will be allowed to emerge naturally from the data in keeping with thematic synthesis methodology; they will not be pre-identified by a priori hypotheses [ 30 , 31 ]. Any discrepancies about the details and conclusions from qualitative studies will be addressed through discussion between reviewers, consulting the principal investigator if consensus is not possible.

Assessment of risk of bias in included studies

Studies that met the inclusion criteria will be assessed for bias using either the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials or the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies for Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool, depending on study design [ 32 , 33 ]. Although the kinds of biases are broadly equivalent for randomized and non-randomized studies—namely selection, confounding, group equivalence, spill-overs, and reporting biases—there are important differences in their operationalization. Raters will resolve disagreements by discussion and through consultation with the principal investigator if necessary. Qualitative studies will be assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) approach, given its widely cited use in qualitative reviews and recommendation from the Cochrane Qualitative Research Methods Group. We will explore reporting biases such as publication bias by using funnel plots and assessing the asymmetry both visually and using the Egger test [ 34 ]. In the presence of visual asymmetry, exploratory analyses will be performed.

Data analysis

Studies will first be categorized by outcome domain (short-term, medium-term, and long-term health-related outcomes). Within each outcome domain, three types of analysis will be conducted, resulting in at least three sets of results: 1) summaries of studies demonstrating that celebrities have positive, negative, mixed, or no impacts on the health-related outcome; 2) synthesized quantitative measurements of the direction and magnitude of any identified impact that celebrities have on the health-related outcome; and 3) evidence identifying the comparative influence of different factors, circumstances, or conditions that mediate whether celebrities have positive or negative effects on the health-related outcome. A meta-analysis will facilitate all three lines of inquiry, while the subgroup analyses, meta-regression analysis, and the qualitative review will contribute to the third line of inquiry.

Meta-analysis

In preliminary searches of health sciences and social sciences databases, it was found that studies evaluating celebrities’ impact on health were very heterogeneous. Studies investigated a variety of outcomes, ranging from HIV knowledge to opinions on different foods and to cancer screening behaviors. In addition, these outcomes were evaluated across various populations, environments, and interventions. Through the meta-analysis, we will determine the extent to which the effects of celebrity influence on health are consistent across this range of outcomes, populations, environments, and interventions. For questions in which it is plausible, we will conduct meta-analyses.

Our aim is to be liberal in this judgment. We will pool results from a relatively broad range of studies of different outcomes, populations, environments, and interventions. Having done that, we can examine the variability in results to determine the extent to which the data supports the assumption regarding similar effects across outcomes, populations, environments, and interventions. We anticipate substantial variability and will explore this through pooling across studies that share similar outcomes and conducting subgroup analyses and/or meta-regression analysis (see below). This approach will allow us to estimate a broad summary effect of celebrities on health and also estimate more specific celebrity effects.

For dichotomous outcomes, the risk ratio or odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals will be used for pooling the data. For continuous outcomes, mean differences and 95% confidence intervals will be used for pooling outcomes reported on the same scales or measured in the same units. Data will be transformed to allow analyses with mean differences wherever possible. All formats of continuous outcome data will be extracted whether reported as post-intervention or change from baseline. We will consider using the R value, a correlation coefficient, for continuous variables when pooling some studies that report dichotomous outcomes and others that report continuous outcomes. If so, results from individual studies will be converted to an R value before the meta-analysis. The R value can be roughly interpreted as a small ( R  = 0.1), medium ( R  = 0.3), or large ( R  = 0.5) effect size. We plan to transform the pooled R to another statistic, such as an odds ratio, to aid in interpretation. For time-to-event data, the hazard ratio, which is usually estimated from a Cox proportional hazards model, will be pooled using the generic inverse variance method.

Since we know that the studies will measure outcomes of interest in different units, synthesized effect sizes of continuous outcomes will additionally be measured using the standardized mean difference (SMD) (also sometimes labeled the “effect size”). This will be calculated by dividing the difference in mean values by the pooled standard deviation of the two groups (i.e., intervention versus non-intervention), as outlined in the following equation:

This measure will allow us to compare and pool across studies where outcomes are reported in different units. The SMD will be expressed as a ratio of means to facilitate meaningful interpretation of the effect size.

In interpreting the SMDs, a rule of thumb suggests that 0.2 standard deviation units represents a small effect, 0.5 a moderate effect, and 0.8 a large effect. In addition to this rule of thumb, to facilitate our interpretation, we will convert the SMDs to measures of effect typically used for binary outcomes. In principle, this approach assumes that data are normally distributed, allowing calculation of the probability that results are greater than equal to a particular threshold. These probabilities allow calculation of odds ratios and risk differences. There are a number of methods available to conduct the conversion from continuous to binary outcomes. We will use the approach described by Furukawa [ 35 ].

Effect sizes for non-continuous outcomes will be measured by combining risk ratios. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals will be calculated for all effect measures. We will be conservative in our methodology by employing a random-effects meta-analysis as it considers both within- and between-study heterogeneity. We will statistically examine the extent of heterogeneity using chi-square tests of heterogeneity and measure the extent of inconsistency with the I 2 measure.

Subgroup analyses

Several subgroup analyses are planned to quantitatively measure the impact of different kinds of celebrity activities depending on their source, message, and audience, assuming there are a sufficient number of studies with relevant data to allow for it. These include the following:

Source: celebrity type. At least one existing study has shown that entertainment stars may be more influential than politicians in terms of influencing copycat suicide attempts [ 36 ]. This suggests the celebrity’s occupation may be an important mediating factor. Types of celebrities that will be compared include athletes, entertainment stars, media personalities, politicians, religious leaders, and socialites.

Message: communication channel . As forms of media differ so greatly, so too may the impact of a celebrity health activity disseminated through different channels [ 37 ]. Media differ in their typical length of exposure, sensory effects, and tone. Audiovisual (television/film), print, radio, and social media will be compared.

Message: time period . Are celebrities more influential on our health in today’s age of social media than ever before? We will group and compare studies that evaluated celebrity health activities during different time periods. At the very least, we plan to group studies conducted before and after 2004—the year Facebook launched.

Message: tone . The impact of celebrities may differ based on whether it is disseminated in a positive of negative tone. Positive dissemination involves conveying a particular opinion or action in a favorable light, while negative dissemination warns the public against an opinion or action. For example, one study found that negative reporting of celebrity suicides was associated with 99% fewer copycat suicides [ 37 ]. As possible, studies will be dichotomized according to whether they evaluated positively and negatively framed celebrity activities to measure the potential influence of tone.

Message: condition/risk type . Given people often have strong prior perceptions, the impact of celebrities may not only be due to their influence alone, but also the public’s existing views about particular conditions and risks. As data allows, celebrities’ impact will be assessed across several broad classes of conditions and risk factors, hopefully including cancer, mental illness, physical disability, sexually transmitted disease, vaccination, and consumption of harmful products like alcohol, narcotics, and tobacco.

Audience: demographics. Certain populations may be more susceptible to celebrity influence than others, on the basis of age, culture, education, gender, or socioeconomic status [ 7 ]. Studies will be stratified by demographic factors, depending on the availability of demographic data in the included studies. Studies will also be stratified by World Bank regional groupings of countries to see whether the effect of celebrity influence differ across countries.

We will additionally conduct a subgroup analysis of the highest-quality studies to calculate a more conservative broad measure of celebrities’ impact on health-related outcomes.

Meta-regression

Meta-regression will be used to explore the reasons for different effect sizes across studies which will help us to quantify the specific influence of various factors that might determine celebrities’ impact. Depending on the number of studies available from which results can be analyzed in this way, we will endeavor to consider as many factors as possible from the list previously identified for the planned subgroup analyses (see above) as well as any others that might be relevant and feasible such as the study’s design. This analysis will be especially helpful for developing media reporting guidelines on how to cover celebrity health news and providing guidance to public health authorities on whether and how to respond to or work with celebrities.

Synthesis of qualitative results

Thematic synthesis will be used to synthesize the data from the qualitative studies. This approach combines free-coding, iterative categorization of text fragments, and reciprocal translational analysis from meta-ethnography with grounded theory’s inductive approach and constant comparison method [ 38 , 39 ]. We will aim to synthesize the themes that emerge—particularly those on the factors and mediators of celebrity influence on health-related outcomes—into a conceptual framework that can inform both understanding and future inquiry. The conceptual framework will supplement the subgroup analyses and meta-regression analysis in order to make recommendations on how to minimize the harm and maximize the benefits that celebrity health activities may cause in a range of contexts.

Given that this is the first review of its kind, we anticipate several future challenges as we strive to evaluate both the extent and magnitude of celebrities’ impact on different health-related outcomes. Nevertheless, we have proactively undertaken several steps to overcome these anticipated challenges in order to conduct a rigorous systematic review.

Specifically, when defining our independent variable, we recognized that celebrities can include many different types of public figures, such that we adopted a broad definition that can be operationalized across varied cultures and countries. Additionally, we acknowledged that celebrity interventions could assume many different forms. Given these many considerations, we opted for a broad definition of celebrity interventions in order to ensure a more comprehensive review of the literature and retrieve as many relevant studies as possible. We took the same approach when assigning definitions for the dependent variables of interest, including what comprises health-related attitudes and behaviors. The use of broad definitions allowed us to conduct a highly sensitive literature search that yielded 19,365 records that were each reviewed.

One future obstacle that we foresee involves the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative studies in our analysis. In order to maximize the relevance of this study for policymakers in their decision-making processes, we feel it necessary to incorporate diverse forms of evidence. While quantitative studies provide a highly precise means to assess celebrity impact, we cannot discount the importance of ethnographic research and other qualitative findings since celebrity influence is a culturally based and sociologically rooted phenomenon. A significant challenge therefore lies in finding the most effective way to synthesize our qualitative and quantitative findings to answer the three research questions. We will address this issue by developing two independent strategies for data analysis—one for quantitative studies and the other for qualitative studies. As possible, quantitative evaluations will be subject to meta-analysis so as to pool different effect sizes and determine the magnitude of celebrity influence for different health-related outcomes. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses will offer additional insights as to which contextual factors either enhance or diminish the aforementioned celebrity effect. Qualitative studies will complement the knowledge gained from quantitative analyses and provide additional understanding of the factors affecting the celebrity-health phenomenon. For example, by analyzing the outcomes of focus groups and surveys, we can draw upon individual perspectives and community experiences to better understand the types of attitudes that exist toward various health topics, the factors that may shape these attitudes, and the exact motives driving certain health-related behaviors. Conducting two distinct methods of analysis will preserve the unique benefits offered by quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and will allow us to draw from different pools of findings to facilitate a more critical analysis of our research questions.

Finally, there are many considerations to take into account when ensuring our review has sufficient power. From our initial pilot search (Additional file 2 ), we uncovered a vast amount of literature examining celebrity impacts on different health topics such as smoking, body image, suicide, and cancer screening. In order to effectively analyze such a heterogeneous pool of data and provide meaningful conclusions, we must carefully categorize all included studies by themes and outcomes before performing any statistical tests. This has been addressed by conducting data extraction in three distinct stages, with the first two stages analyzing the study designs and outcome measures in order to group them before proceeding with the final phase of data extraction. While organizing the studies in this way is crucial to achieving a meaningful analysis, it may decrease the number of studies available for statistical testing with respect to each outcome. However, by encompassing a wide range of quantitative and qualitative evidence in our study, we aim to produce meaningful findings to enhance our understanding of the present celebrity-health phenomenon and guide policymakers in facilitating significant and positive public health initiatives.

In order for this review to be leveraged to have a meaningful impact on public health, our research team is committed to engaging in a series of knowledge translation activities. By disseminating our findings to a wide range of stakeholders in the public health arena, health systems can involve celebrities in their efforts to promote positive health messages through opportunistic moments while working in partnership to mitigate the potentially negative impact that celebrities might have. These knowledge translation activities will be specifically targeted toward the development of updated media reporting guidelines, partnerships with celebrities, and future public health interventions.

Abbreviations

Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Standardized mean difference

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Acknowledgements

We thank Laura Banfield and Olga Perkovic for providing feedback on our search strategy, and Lucy Turner for advising on our data analysis plan.

This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as a part of its Knowledge Synthesis Grant: Fall 2014 competition (#KRS-339658). SJH is additionally financially supported by the Research Council of Norway and the Trudeau Foundation.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable to this protocol.

Authors’ contributions

SJH conceived the review, led its design as principal investigator, and supervised the implementation. NN led the development of the search strategy and conducted all the searches. YM led both stages of article screening and led the logistical planning for data extraction, with guidance from SJH and LS and assistance from NN. LS and LT advised on the approach to data analysis. SJH, YM, NN, and LS led the preparation of this manuscript. LT, JB, TC, YF, JNL, and AMS helped design the review protocol and critically revised this manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors will play important roles in the analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, and knowledge translation of this review in the future. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors’ information

SJH is an Associate Professor of Law, Medicine and Public and International Affairs and Director of the Global Strategy Lab at the University of Ottawa with courtesy appointments as an Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (part-time) at McMaster University, Adjunct Faculty with the McMaster Health Forum, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Global Health and Population at Harvard University.

YM is a medical student at the University of British Columbia.

NN is a medical student at the University of Toronto.

LS is a Research Coordinator with the Global Strategy Lab at the University of Ottawa.

JB is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist covering medicine, health policy, and public health for Vox Media Inc.

TC is a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta and holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy.

YF is the Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute, an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa, and a board member of the Canadian Obesity Network.

JNL is a Professor in the departments of Health Evidence and Impact and Political Science, Director of the McMaster Health Forum, Associate Director of the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, and Canada Research Chair in Evidence-Informed Health Systems at McMaster University, and Adjunct Professor of Global Health at the Harvard School of Public Health.

AMS is a Professor of Medicine and Chair in Obesity Research and Management at the University of Alberta and Scientific Director of the Canadian Obesity Network.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Consent for publication

Ethics approval and consent to participate, author information, authors and affiliations.

Global Strategy Lab, Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Steven J. Hoffman, Yasmeen Mansoor, Navneet Natt & Lathika Sritharan

Department of Health Evidence and Impact and McMaster Health Forum, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Steven J. Hoffman & John N. Lavis

Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Yasmeen Mansoor

Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Navneet Natt

Vox Media, Washington, DC, USA

Julia Belluz

Health Law Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Timothy Caulfield

Bariatric Medical Institute, Ottawa, Canada

Yoni Freedhoff

Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis and Department of Political Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

John N. Lavis

Canadian Obesity Network and Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Arya M. Sharma

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven J. Hoffman .

Additional files

Additional file 1:.

Populated PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) checklist. Recommended items to include in a systematic review protocol. (DOCX 102 kb)

Additional file 2:

Pilot search strategy. Reports the search phrases and the databases on which the pilot search was conducted. (DOCX 117 kb)

Additional file 3:

Adapted search strategies for each database. (DOCX 147 kb)

Additional file 4:

Title and abstract screening form. (DOCX 80 kb)

Additional file 5:

Full-text screening form. (DOCX 81 kb)

Additional file 6:

Data abstraction form —phase 1. The first data abstraction form that will be utilized with all studies in order to collect population, intervention, methodology, and preliminary outcome information. (DOCX 111 kb)

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Hoffman, S.J., Mansoor, Y., Natt, N. et al. Celebrities’ impact on health-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and status outcomes: protocol for a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis. Syst Rev 6 , 13 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0395-1

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Received : 21 July 2016

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Published : 21 January 2017

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0395-1

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HOW Celebrity CAN Influence POLITICS

ANALYSIS: Kyree Sawyer examines how LeBron James’ social media platform influenced voters in the 2020 Election.

With the internet being a mega-platform for information, celebrities are now some of the most influential people in the world. Celebrity posts on social media alter how a person lives their everyday life and can even impact their political views. The history of celebrity endorsements goes back to the birth of modern celebrity. Warren Harding won the 1920 US presidential campaign with backing from film stars of the day. And over the past century, celebrity endorsements have increasingly saturated the political campaign scene.

Celebrities attract attention to candidates, get people excited about voting, and can sway the public’s opinion. A recent study conducted by Whitman Insight Strategies and MRC Data in partnership with DISQO even measured the intersection of entertainment, influence and politics among 1,103 likely voters.

In order to attract support for a candidate, a celebrity must have three qualities: they must be well-known, well-liked, and credible. Some influencers that obtain all three qualities are people like Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, and LeBron James. In the 2008 presidential election, Oprah Winfrey was credited for bringing Barack Obama worldwide attention. Research conducted by the University of Maryland credits Oprah with bringing Barack Obama more than a million votes in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary process. T his is an example of a celebrity intertwining popularity with politics.

The 2020 presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was an election for the ages. With the election going on during a worldwide pandemic, people turned to social media for almost everything, even political updates on candidates. This brought celebrities to the forefront of the presidential election and gave them the power to influence people’s views on candidates. With all the celebrities swaying the public’s political opinions on candidates, LeBron James stood out the most this election.

In this photograph t hat LeBron James posted to his Instagram stories (74.7 million followers) during the presidential debate, he covered Donald Trump’s face with the clown emoji. LeBron James is an A-list celebrity who has had a huge impact not only on the black community but the entire world of sports fans since he was 15 years old. With him posting things of this nature and providing his views on the election, this can cause a fan or two to change their opinions on who to vote for. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “James was found to be the most influential with 36% of those surveyed saying he had done the most to raise awareness and to motivate people to vote.”

Lloyd Middlebrooks, FTC men’s basketball player commented on James, “He did influence my selection for who I thought would be a better president because LeBron is someone I looked up to for years and I’ve valued his opinion my whole life. Also, because he is defined as one of our black leaders and someone who is highly respected around the world, I trust in what he promotes because he is such an iconic figure to our culture.”

Jami Cardenas from Farmingdale State College agreed, “I usually don’t see LeBron openly speak about politics on social media. Seeing him post that picture on Instagram made me want to take action and support him. He has been one of my role models growing up, and I’ve paid attention to what he does or does not believe in simply because he doesn’t openly speak politics often.”

Chris Gardner from the Hollywoodreporter.com h ighlighted the Whitman Insight Strategies study, “Overall, 12 percent of voters reported that an entertainer or athlete influenced their thinking regarding the election. Influence is higher among Black voters (28 percent), Hispanic/Latino voters (20 percent), LGBTQ (17 percent), Gen Z and Millennials (both 17 percent). Asked to name the person whose opinion they trusted the most regarding political or social issues in America, [Tom] Hanks came in first among total voters by tallying 49 percent. He was followed closely by [Dwayne] Johnson with 45 percent, [Oprah] Winfrey with 38 percent and [LeBron] James with 32 percent.”

With the research presented above, Americans should be aware that celebrities do influence voting and are major influencers in today’s age.

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How Celebrities Influence Teens and Why it Matters

January 30, 2024

Discover how celebrities influence teens and why it matters. From positive role models to risky behavior, understand their impact on young minds.

The Influence of Celebrities on Teens

Celebrities hold a significant influence over the lives of teenagers, shaping their aspirations, behaviors, and attitudes. Understanding the power of celebrity influence and the reach they have in today's digital age is crucial in comprehending the impact they have on teens' lives.

Understanding the Power of Celebrity Influence

Celebrities possess a unique ability to captivate the attention and admiration of teenagers. They serve as role models and sources of inspiration, often influencing the way teens think, act, and perceive themselves and the world around them. Whether through music, movies, sports, or social media, celebrities have a profound impact on shaping the attitudes, values, and lifestyles of teenagers.

The influence of celebrities can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, celebrities are seen as successful individuals who have achieved fame and fortune, making them aspirational figures for teens. By observing their favorite celebrities' lifestyles, teens may adopt certain behaviors and aspirations in the hopes of emulating their success.

Secondly, celebrities often possess qualities that make them relatable to teenagers. They may share similar struggles or experiences, creating a sense of connection and identification. This sense of familiarity can lead teens to develop a strong emotional attachment to celebrities, further amplifying their influence.

The Reach of Celebrities in Today's Digital Age

In today's digital age, celebrities have an unprecedented reach and influence through social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. These platforms allow celebrities to connect directly with their fans, sharing glimpses into their lives, promoting products, and endorsing causes. The accessibility and immediacy of social media enable teens to constantly engage with their favorite celebrities, making the influence even more pervasive.

The impact of celebrities on teens can be seen in their massive social media followings. A quick glance at the follower counts of popular celebrities reveals the extent of their reach:

Celebrity                                                                 Instagram Followers

‍ Selena Gomez                                             242 million

Cristiano Ronaldo                                       266 million

Ariana Grande                                             241 million

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson                    249 million

These staggering numbers demonstrate the vast audience that celebrities can potentially influence. With just a single post or endorsement, celebrities can shape trends, influence purchasing decisions, and even sway public opinion among teenagers.

Understanding the power and reach of celebrity influence on teens is crucial for parents, educators, and society as a whole. By recognizing the impact celebrities have on shaping teen behavior and attitudes, we can work towards promoting positive influences and fostering media literacy skills that empower teenagers to navigate celebrity culture in a mindful and critical manner.

Why Celebrities Matter to Teens

Celebrities hold a significant influence over the lives of teenagers. Understanding why celebrities matter to teens requires examining the need for role models and the processes of identification and aspiration.

The Need for Role Models

During adolescence, teens undergo a critical period of identity formation. They are searching for guidance and inspiration to shape their own identities and navigate the complexities of life. Celebrities, with their fame and success, often become role models for teenagers. These role models can provide a sense of direction, offering values, beliefs, and behaviors that teens may want to emulate.

Role models play a crucial role in shaping the aspirations, interests, and choices of teenagers. They can inspire teens to pursue their dreams, overcome obstacles, and strive for success. By observing the achievements and positive traits of their chosen role models, teenagers develop a sense of motivation and purpose.

Identification and Aspiration

Teens often develop a deep sense of identification with celebrities. They may relate to their favorite celebrities based on shared experiences, backgrounds, or personal qualities. This identification process creates a connection between the celebrity and the teenager, serving as a source of emotional support and validation.

As teenagers identify with celebrities, they also aspire to achieve similar levels of success, fame, and recognition. Celebrities become symbols of what teens aspire to become, representing the possibilities and opportunities available in the world. By idolizing celebrities, teenagers believe that they too can achieve greatness and fulfill their dreams.

To better understand the impact of celebrities on teens, it is important to explore both the positive and negative influences they exert. This exploration will shed light on the complexities of celebrity influence and its implications for the well-being and development of teenagers.

Positive Influences of Celebrities on Teens

While the influence of celebrities on teens can have both positive and negative aspects, it's important to recognize the positive role that some celebrities play in shaping the lives of young individuals. In this section, we will explore two key positive influences of celebrities on teens: promoting positive body image and advocacy/activism.

Promoting Positive Body Image

Celebrities have the power to influence societal standards of beauty and promote positive body image among teens. By embracing their own unique features and promoting diversity, celebrities can help teenagers develop a healthy and realistic perception of beauty.

One way that celebrities promote positive body image is by openly discussing their own struggles and insecurities. By sharing their personal stories, they show teens that nobody is perfect and that it's okay to have imperfections. This can help reduce feelings of inadequacy and encourage self-acceptance.

Additionally, many celebrities use their platforms to challenge narrow beauty ideals and promote body positivity. They advocate for inclusivity and representation in the media, encouraging teens to embrace their bodies and celebrate their individuality. This can have a significant impact on the self-esteem and confidence of young individuals.

Advocacy and Activism

Another positive influence of celebrities on teens is their involvement in advocacy and activism. Many celebrities use their fame and influence to raise awareness about important social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. By doing so, they inspire and motivate young people to take action and make a difference in the world.

Celebrities often use their platforms to shed light on various causes, such as climate change, mental health, and equality. They engage in fundraising efforts, participate in awareness campaigns, and use their social media presence to amplify important messages. This helps to educate and empower teens to become active and engaged citizens.

Moreover, celebrities who engage in advocacy and activism serve as role models for young individuals. They demonstrate the importance of using one's voice and influence for positive change, inspiring teens to become advocates for causes they are passionate about.

By promoting positive body image and engaging in advocacy and activism, some celebrities play a crucial role in shaping the lives of teenagers in a positive way. Their influence can help foster self-acceptance, empowerment, and a sense of social responsibility among young individuals. It's important for teens to critically analyze the messages conveyed by celebrities and to embrace the positive influences while being aware of the potential negative aspects as well.

Negative Influences of Celebrities on Teens

While celebrities can have a significant impact on teenagers' lives, it's important to acknowledge the negative influences that can arise from this power dynamic. Two prominent negative aspects of celebrity influence on teens are the promotion of unattainable standards of beauty and the potential for risky behavior and impressionability.

Unattainable Standards of Beauty

Celebrities often embody and promote the idea of an idealized and unrealistic standard of beauty. Their flawless appearances, carefully curated images, and access to beauty treatments and enhancements can create an unattainable benchmark for teenagers. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and body image issues among impressionable teens.

It is worth noting that the beauty standards projected by celebrities are often heavily influenced by societal expectations and media manipulation. By comparing themselves to these unrealistic standards, teenagers may feel pressured to alter their appearance through extreme measures, such as excessive dieting, cosmetic procedures, or engaging in unhealthy behaviors.

Risky Behavior and Impressionability

Celebrities' actions and behaviors can greatly influence teenagers, who are often in the process of forming their own identities and making decisions about their values and lifestyle. When celebrities engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, reckless driving, or promiscuity, impressionable teens may be more likely to perceive these actions as glamorous or acceptable.

The media's constant coverage of celebrity scandals and tabloid culture can further amplify the influence of such behaviors. Teens may be more prone to imitating their favorite celebrities, even if it means adopting risky or unhealthy habits that can have detrimental consequences.

It is essential to recognize that while celebrities may have a significant impact on teenagers, they are not infallible role models. It is crucial for parents, educators, and society as a whole to address these negative influences and provide teens with the tools and support necessary to critically evaluate celebrity behavior and make informed choices.

By promoting media literacy, encouraging open discussions, and fostering self-esteem based on individuality rather than external standards, we can help teenagers navigate the complexities of celebrity influence and develop a healthy sense of self-worth and personal values.

The Importance of Media Literacy

In today's digital age, media literacy plays a crucial role in helping teens navigate the influence of celebrities. By developing media literacy skills, teens can become critical consumers of media and make informed decisions about the messages they receive. Here are two key aspects of media literacy that are essential for understanding and managing celebrity influence:

Teaching Teens to Be Critical Consumers

One of the fundamental aspects of media literacy is teaching teens to be critical consumers of media content. This involves encouraging them to think critically about the messages, values, and ideologies presented by celebrities. By questioning and analyzing the information they receive, teens can develop a more discerning approach to celebrity influence.

To foster critical thinking, parents and educators can engage teens in discussions about media representation, stereotypes, and the potential biases present in celebrity endorsements or promotions. Encouraging teens to consider the intentions and motivations behind celebrity actions helps them develop a more comprehensive understanding of the media landscape.

Encouraging Self-Reflection and Individuality

Media literacy also involves encouraging teens to engage in self-reflection and embrace their individuality. It is important for teens to understand that celebrities often present curated versions of themselves, and that they do not need to conform to those images or ideals. By promoting self-acceptance and celebrating diversity, teens can develop a stronger sense of self and resist the pressures of conformity.

Parents and educators can encourage self-reflection by facilitating conversations that challenge societal beauty standards and encourage body positivity. Promoting discussions about personal values, interests, and goals can also help teens develop a stronger sense of identity and resist the influence of celebrities who may not align with their own values.

By emphasizing media literacy skills such as critical consumption and self-reflection, teens can navigate the influence of celebrities in a more informed and empowered manner. These skills enable teens to develop their own perspectives, make independent choices, and resist the potential negative impacts of celebrity influence.

Parental Role in Facing Celebrity Influence

As celebrities continue to hold significant influence over teenagers, parents play a crucial role in helping their teens navigate the impact of celebrity culture. By maintaining open communication and setting healthy boundaries, parents can guide their teens in developing a balanced perspective on celebrity influence.

Open Communication and Active Listening

Open communication is key in addressing the influence of celebrities on teens. By creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment, parents can encourage their teens to share their thoughts and feelings about the celebrities they admire. Through active listening, parents can gain insight into their teen's perspective and better understand the specific celebrities that resonate with them.

Engaging in meaningful conversations about celebrities allows parents to guide their teens in critically analyzing the messages conveyed by these influencers. By asking open-ended questions and encouraging thoughtful discussions, parents can help their teens develop media literacy skills and become more discerning consumers of celebrity content.

Setting Healthy Boundaries and Realistic Expectations

While it's important to acknowledge the impact celebrities have on teens, parents should also help their teens set healthy boundaries and maintain realistic expectations. By discussing the curated nature of celebrity personas and the importance of separating fact from fiction, parents can help their teens understand that what they see in the media may not always reflect reality.

To assist teens in managing their expectations, parents can emphasize the importance of focusing on their own personal growth and achievements rather than constantly comparing themselves to celebrities. Encouraging teens to pursue their own passions and interests can help foster a sense of individuality and self-worth.

Furthermore, parents should set limits on media consumption and guide their teens in making conscious choices about the content they engage with. By establishing screen time guidelines and encouraging a healthy balance between online and offline activities, parents can help mitigate the potentially negative effects of excessive exposure to celebrity culture.

By actively engaging in open communication, setting healthy boundaries, and promoting realistic expectations, parents can empower their teens to navigate the influence of celebrities in a balanced and critical manner. Ultimately, parents play a vital role in helping their teens develop a strong sense of self and resilience in the face of celebrity influence.

‍Conclusion

In conclusion, celebrities hold a significant influence over teenagers and can have both positive and negative impacts on their lives. By promoting positive body image, engaging in advocacy and activism, and serving as role models for young individuals, some celebrities play a crucial role in shaping the lives of teenagers in a positive way. However, the promotion of unattainable standards of beauty and risky behavior among celebrities can have detrimental effects on impressionable teens.

To mitigate these negative impacts, it is essential to promote media literacy skills such as critical thinking and self-reflection among teenagers. Parents also play a vital role in helping their teens navigate the influence of celebrity culture by fostering open communication, setting healthy boundaries, and promoting realistic expectations.

Overall, by acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects of celebrity influence on teenagers and taking steps to promote media literacy and healthy attitudes towards celebrity culture, we can help young individuals develop into informed and empowered consumers of media content.

https://depts.washington.edu/triolive/quest/2007/TTQ07083/celebrities.html

https://www.teenink.com/hot\_topics/health/article/950458/Celebrities-Influence-on-Teens

https://imperialwriters7.medium.com/how-celebrities-influence-teens-in-colleges-87c40782e890

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Could Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris make a difference? 19% of young people admit a celebrity’s OK might influence them

Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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Following months of speculation about would she or wouldn’t she, Taylor Swift announced her endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris with an Instagram post shortly after the Sept. 10, 2024, presidential debate.

“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,” Taylor wrote to her 283 million followers in the post , which she signed as “Childless Cat Lady.”

Swift joins a growing list of celebrities who are backing Harris – including British pop star Charli XCX, who posted on X in July that “ kamala IS brat .”

Harris’ campaign astutely embraced Charli XCX’s support – temporarily changing the background of its X profile to the same shade of lime green that Charlie XCX favors .

So far, a range of other celebrities , including actor Jeff Bridges , the singer Cher , movie director Spike Lee and comedian Amy Schumer , among others, have endorsed Harris.

Meanwhile, comedian Roseanne Barr , as well as singer Kid Rock , model Amber Rose and actor Jon Voight have endorsed Trump.

Some researchers have estimated that Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 gave him an additional 1 million votes . Winfrey also spoke at the August 2024 Democratic National Convention and endorsed Harris there.

But overall, research shows that celebrity political endorsements don’t matter enough to determine an election’s results.

If celebrity endorsements don’t shift an election, then why do political campaigns seek them out?

The answer is that they still do matter and for many different reasons. Celebrities can easily get media attention, act as campaign surrogates, expand the voter base and make campaign contributions . All these things can help a candidate win.

What guides voters and celeb endorsements

Not many people will admit that they voted for a candidate because Oprah Winfrey or another celebrity told them to – so survey research will rarely find that celebrity endorsements are meaningful.

About 89% of adults also said in February 2020 that they wouldn’t switch their vote because of a celebrity endorsement .

However, this leaves 11% of American adults who said that they might change their preferred candidate based on what a celebrity said. Another 19% of younger voters also said in this same poll that a celebrity could help change their vote.

In a close election, these voters at the margins could change a candidate’s fortunes.

Celebrities can help keep a politician in the news cycle – and a celebrity endorsement gives candidates an extra opportunity to distribute their message to a public audience.

Whether it is Jeff Bridges – who played “The Dude” in the 1998 movie “The Big Lebowski” – speaking at a “White dudes for Harris” Zoom meeting, or the pro-Trump singer Kid Rock hosting a series of “Rock the Country” concerts, celebrity endorsements can also help candidates target specific demographic groups.

Celebrities also benefit when they get involved in politics because they, too, depend on staying relevant.

By weighing in on political issues, celebrities can keep themselves in the limelight and promote their personal brand. There is a risk, however, that a celebrity might alienate fans and business partners who don’t share their political views.

A strong online presence

Celebrities can also get a lot of media attention when they disagree with a politician or are offended by what they say.

For example, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has said that “ the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children.”

His 2021 comments about the country being run by “ childless cat ladies ” also resurfaced in July 2024.

Actress Jennifer Aniston and talk-show host Whoopi Goldberg went on the counteroffensive, stating that there are many reasons some women don’t have children, including fertility challenges.

“I truly can’t believe that this is coming from a potential VP of the United States,” Aniston wrote on Instagram .

“All I can say is … Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day.”

Expanding the electorate base

Celebrities can also effectively encourage people to register to vote or to actually vote. In September 2023, Swift encouraged her fans to register to vote with a link to vote.org .

The site saw a 1,226% increase in traffic, and over 35,000 new voters registered within an hour of her post.

There was months of speculation this election that Swift would formally back Harris, as she did President Joe Biden during the 2020 election .

Some Swift fans looked for clues of a possible endorsement, including that a Swift dancer – who wore a pantsuit during a recent concert – appeared to resemble Harris .

When Swift’s endorsement finally happened, Swift’s fans , who had organized a “ Swifties for Kamala ” movement, released a statement saying, “ We never doubted Taylor would endorse at the right time because we know that her values align with Harris and our community.”

Trump falsely implied on Aug. 18 that Swift endorsed him, posting an AI-generated image on Truth Social that showed an image of Swift and said, “Taylor wants you to vote for Donald Trump.”

In Swift’s Sept. 10 Instagram post, she commented on the AI image of her that Trump shared, writing, “It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”

Celebrities still have political influence

Celebrity political endorsements are unlikely to change a voter’s core values or sway voters who are already closely following politics and are familiar with the different candidates and what they stand for.

But celebrities still have cultural influence and could encourage people who are not closely engaged in politics or an election to vote for or support a candidate in other ways, such as with donations.

And research also shows that celebrities are especially likely to shape the political opinions of younger voters .

Even if a celebrity endorsement is not the primary reason any voter would select a particular candidate, the celebrity endorsement might have value for some people. And in a close election, it can be just a few thousand votes that matter.

This article is an update of an earlier version published on Aug. 20, 2024.

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‘The Mentalist’ star Simon Baker admits drinking and driving in Australia

Australian actor and director Simon Baker, center, best known for his role as Patrick Jane in the CBS drama series The Mentalist, arrives at the Mullumbimby Court House, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, for his sentencing hearing for driving under the influence of alcohol near his rural home. (Darren England/AAP Image via AP)

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MULLUMBIMBY, Australia (AP) — Australian actor and director Simon Baker, best known for his role as Patrick Jane in the CBS drama series “The Mentalist,” avoided a conviction Wednesday after pleading guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol near his rural home.

The 55-year-old appeared in the Mullumbimby Local Court in New South Wales state for sentencing after pleading guilty the week before to a charge of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit of 0.05%.

Baker acted alongside Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in the Oscar-nominated 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada” before starring as a former professional psychic who became a California Bureau of Investigation consultant in the hit series “The Mentalist” for eight seasons until 2015. He has worked on multiple shows and movies since, including a movie adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s “ Klara and the Sun ” directed by Taika Waititi with an expected 2025 release.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden accepted that Baker was remorseful and was unlikely to drive after drinking again. She released him on a nine-month good behavior bond with no conviction recorded. Australian judges have discretion to not record a conviction against first-time offenders under exceptional circumstances.

Police reported seeing Baker’s Tesla electric car driving erratically in the fashionable Byron Bay region where he lives at 2:11 a.m. July 20.

That was hours after a faulty software update issued by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike created worldwide technological havoc , disrupting airlines, hospitals, government offices and financial systems. Crittenden said the outage knocked police systems offline and an electronic breath test could not be completed on Baker.

She said police resorted to an “old-fashioned sobriety test.”

Police reported Baker was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol. He told police he had consumed four glasses of wine over dinner since 6 p.m., roughly eight hours prior. He was alone in the car.

Baker was “very polite and cooperative” and “extremely remorseful for his actions,” Crittenden said. Baker had since completed a traffic offenders’ rehabilitation program, the court was told.

Crittenden said four character references were tendered to the court about Baker’s community contributions, significant remorse and attesting to his conduct being out of character.

“The court has little difficulty in finding that Mr. Baker is remorseful for his offending and it is unlikely he will offend again,” she said.