Reflections on Heroic Qualities in Personal Branding
Dear Celebrity Culture Readers, My first post in November is inspired by Oscar Del Santo, a lecturer, consultant, key speaker, and blogger of online reputation in Spain. Santo offers a case study of Canadian pop and country singer k.d. lang to describe how unconventional qualities are key to personal branding and recognition of talent. He examines vegan, homosexual, and spiritual representations of k.d. lang. In examining these representations, Santo illustrates how k.d. lang proudly refutes stereotypical images in popular culture and shines as a star. His post reflects on carving out a...
Read MoreCelebrating Life with Grief – The Talent of Deep Living
In his seminal work Stars, Richard Dyer appropriately argues that “talent is historically and culturally specific. Even if one simply meant talent as skill, one would have to ask, skill at what?” Stephen Jenkinson’s words on loving and living with grief are probably the least mentioned skills in celebrity culture. Yet, many heroic public personalities and fellow human beings achieve deep living and celebrate life through the wisdom of death that Jenkinson shares. I received Jenkinson’s knowledge of ‘Orphan Wisdom’ during my latest writing retreat near Kawartha Lakes in Ontario, Canada. ...
Read MoreCall for Presentations – Celebrity: Exploring Critical Issues 2013
Dear Celebrity Culture Readers: Writing from a sacred cottage near Kawartha Lakes, Ontario where I am taking pleasure in a research / writing retreat. I received the cottage as a gift from my beautiful friend Lynn Manwar during this Thanksgiving and we are spending a memorable week together. It reminds me of my recent writing retreat in Barcelona where the home was gifted as well and offers reassurance of precious moments coming our way. The week has been filled with inspiration to prepare new courses and lectures for celebrity studies in 2013. I am grateful for every moment spent and...
Read MoreWriting Fame: Defining the Celebrity
Dear Celebrity Culture Readers, Last week, I had the pleasure of being at the 13th Annual FILMI industrial party and film festival in Toronto. FILMI supports independent as well as mainstream film talent within and beyond standard frameworks of the entertainment industry. Questions on fame kept coming up in many conversations and industrial panel talks with friends and associates (below). There is no one single meaning of popular recognition, just like there is no one single kind of talent. Unique qualities of talent, however, play a key role in connecting with viewers and creating...
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