Fame is fickle, as is common, but right now, celebrities seem to be going through more of a crisis than ever before.
Sexual assault scandals and the #MeToo movement have shaken the pillars of celebrity culture; Media developments and artificial intelligence have raised questions about the nature of the “star” as a human figure. Various forms of social, cultural and political polarization have placed celebrities under increasing public pressure. More and more celebrities are speaking openly about their psychological crises and the negative effects of fame, such as fatigue and anxietyThe impact of hate speech, physical bullying, and performance pressure.
This book, a collection of edited essays, explores how moments of crisis—scandals, reputational collapse, public controversy, and conflicts—shape the dynamics of contemporary celebrity culture. Combining interdisciplinary perspectives from media studies, cultural studies, and sociology, the book examines a wide range of cases, from high-profile public scandals to the emotional politics of celebrity failure and reputation repair. He shedsThis book highlights how celebrity figures become axes for broader social debates about gender, class, race, morality, and authenticity, offering critical insights into the mechanics of fame, the politics of visibility, and the cultural role that celebrity scandals play in the digital age.This volume will be of great interest to postgraduate students, researchers and academics in the fields of media, cultural studies, sociology, communication studies and celebrity studies, as well as anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between fame, power and contemporary culture. It was originally published as a special issue of Celebrity Studies.
