In this article, we delve into the irresistible appeal of fame, determine today’s modern popularity metrics, explore the stardom of 15 of today’s most famous people worldwide, and determine how they measure up as they continue to polish the sheen on their stars.
How Fame Has Become an Achievable Dream
In the recent decade, the obsession with celebrity — or becoming a celebrity — has grown more intense, says writer Emma Rosenblum in a feature for Teen Vogue (1). “Twenty years ago, stars were a much more rarefied bunch,” then came the time of the socialites that made instant celebrities out of the alta-rich of society, suggests Rosenblum. For instance, Paris Hilton epitomized the concept of “being famous for being famous,” and ”regular girls” turned stars like Lauren Conrad followed suits, “igniting the hope for young people everywhere that large-scale popularity may not be so hard to come by after all,” writes Rosenblum. Tabloids soon supported this wave, showing celebrities in their “regular lives” — doing groceries, grabbing coffee, going out on the street, and hitting the gym. This made stardom and influencer status seem all the more achievable. According to Rosenblum, this gave birth to the concept of “stars are just like us,” and started an entirely new way of thinking about fame: If stars are just like us, why can’t we all be stars? Then came the social media era. According to Alfie Kohn, thanks to mainly the digitized era, the possibility of fame seems tantalizingly within reach to more folks today than ever (2). The younger generation clings to this concept even more. Kids no longer want to be lawyers, doctors, or astronauts. Instead, “They just want to be famous,” says Kohn. They also see famous people as their role models.
Why Visibility Matters More Than Talent
According to Psychology Today, fame used to only be a by-product of a person’s talent in a certain field, like acting, singing, sports, politics, etc. (3). However, we now live in a culture where some people are just “famous for being famous,” and that can often be measured by social metrics — followers, fans, influence. It is why many people, including children, scramble for visibility on YouTube or try to raise their social following on other platforms, even if they haven’t done anything notable. Proficiency is no longer the only factor. The renowned individual is now receiving recognition from a large number of strangers, and there is a desire to be noticed by millions of others – criteria that can be quantified through analytics.
What Defines Fame Today
The true celebrities of this era are those who hold sway. They may have substantial social followings but often pair it with corresponding skill, knowledge, or even controversy to shape public opinion. Dr. Ganz Ferrance, a psychologist and media personality, in an interview with Psychology Today, said that in today’s ultra-critical social media climate and numbers-based measures of fame, “you have to be able to deal with a lot of rejection, judgments, and negative comments along the way to ‘making it’ and even after you make it” (4). What is so convenient with today’s social media platforms, like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, is that an individual’s reach and engagement metrics provide a real-time gauge of their current influence and impact. Plus, recognition media coverage, awards, and endorsement deals help reinforce celebrity status further, making fame in 2024 both measurable and highly sought-after.
Who Is the Most Famous Person in the World Right Now?
In no particular order, we have listed some of the brightest stars in the world today — 15 global icons, from sports and music to politics and business. Vote on your favorites, and if you think we’ve overlooked someone significant, feel free to leave a comment below. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
