Celebrity Culture Research Articles

Celebration of Nature and Culture through Gaura Parba: An Interdisciplinary Study of Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Sustainability

Gaura Parba, also known as Gaura Purnima or Gaura Tritiya, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated predominantly in Uttar Pradesh, India, and in the Far Western Region of Nepal, represents a unique amalgamation of nature, culture, and spirituality. This festival, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Gauri (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati), holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for the communities that observe it. However, beyond its religious connotations, Gaura Parba embodies a profound reverence for nature and serves as a conduit for the valorization of both natural and cultural heritage. This research explores Gaura Parba's significance in valorizing natural and cultural heritage within these communities. Employing an interdisciplinary approach encompassing various theoretical insights from cultural studies, anthropology, and environmental science, this study elucidates how Gaura Parba fosters a deep connection with nature and preserves cultural traditions. By examining the festival's rituals, beliefs, and environmental practices, the research explores the complex interplay between nature, culture, and spirituality within the context of Gaura Parba. The findings underscore Gaura Parba's contributions to ecological conservation, social cohesion, and the transmission of traditional knowledge, while also addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities for revitalizing the festival in the face of modernization and environmental change. This study provides valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to enhance cultural resilience and sustainable development.

Scholars as political influencers: celebrity, social media and political movements in Thailand

ABSTRACT The early twenty-first century witnessed a significant surge in democratisation movements against unjust dictatorships worldwide. In Thailand, political protests across the nation have captured considerable attention in recent years, primarily led by students and young people advocating for democratic reforms, with support from scholars and professionals. Despite this, studies of Thai politics have largely overlooked the role played by Thai scholar celebrities. While some critics have examined the rise of influencers in the online era, few have contextualised them within the political sphere. This article aims to address these gaps by elucidating the concept of celebrity culture within the political arena. The paper comprises three main sections. The first section delves into the notion of celebrity, celebrity culture, and, more specifically, scholar celebrities. Following this, a concise overview of the Thai socio-political landscape is provided, with particular emphasis on the ongoing political conflict dating back to 2006. The third and final section scrutinises Thai scholars as political influencers, exploring their relationship with and contribution to the Thai political movement. Additionally, it investigates the distinctive characteristics of these social media political influencers compared to traditional media influencers, particularly regarding their interactions with their fan bases. Contrary to prevailing beliefs regarding the negative ramifications of celebrity and fame, this study posits that scholar celebrities, irrespective of public agreement or dissent, serve to spotlight specific issues and instigate public discourse or national dialogue, thereby conferring a vital advantage to political movements.

Post-Removal Mounds: Earthworks Rising in Oklahoma

Abstract: Twenty-first-century Oklahoma—where so many Southeastern, Ohio Valley, Mississippi Valley, and other mound-building and mound-stewarding peoples were forcibly removed in the nineteenth century—is witnessing a reactivation of Indigenous practices of building and stewarding large-scale, highly graphic, multiply encoded earthworks. Replicas of historical platform mounds feature prominently at the Chickasaw Cultural Center that opened in rural south-central Oklahoma in 2010 and the Choctaw Cultural Center that opened in rural southeastern Oklahoma in 2021, while a futuristic, spiraling "promontory mound" forms an integral component of the multitribal First Americans Museum that opened outside urban Oklahoma City in 2021. Constructed and curated to meet the expectations of both tribal citizens and diverse Native and non-Native tourists, how do these new earthen structures and their contextualizing environments occupy space, organize relations, and make meaning within their specific contexts of cultural celebration, Indigenous-centered education, and immersive visitor experience? And what do they tell us about the possibilities for Indigenous aesthetics and architectural design in the future?

Celebration to Consequence: Case Report of Late Onset Ocular Effects of Firework Injuries

Firework-related injuries, particularly ocular trauma, pose a significant public health concern during cultural celebrations. We explore the case of a 20-year-old male who sustained firework-induced ocular trauma at the age of seven, subsequently developing traumatic cataract and glaucomatous optic atrophy. The patient presented with decreased vision and pain in the left eye (LE), 13 years post-injury. He underwent cataract surgery nine years after the incident, with subsequent development of glaucomatous optic atrophy. Examination revealed visual acuity impairment, exotropia, and pupil abnormalities in the LE, along with scleral thinning and corneal opacity. Posterior segment evaluation showed optic nerve cupping and hemorrhages. Gonioscopy indicated angle recession and synechiae in the LE. Optical coherence tomography revealed retinal nerve fiber layer defects. Elevated intraocular pressure in the LE was successfully managed with anti-glaucoma medication. Firework-related ocular trauma can lead to long-term complications, including traumatic cataract and glaucomatous optic atrophy. Timely cataract surgery and vigilant follow-up are essential for early detection and management of secondary glaucoma. Regulatory measures to mitigate firework-related injuries are imperative to prevent such incidents and preserve visual health.

The persuasive effects of voice characteristics embedded in paid tour guide audio on tourist purchase decisions based on deep learning

Different voices may have persuasive effects on individuals’ decision-making processes; however, in the tourism context, little attention has been paid to online paid tour guide audio. This study investigates how the voice characteristics of tour guide audio play a persuasive role in tourist purchase decisions. Drawing on the stereotype content model, we identify two voice characteristics: perceived warmth and competence. We then extract them from tour guide audio using speech processing and deep learning techniques. Our results show that perceived warmth and competence are positively related to tourist purchase decisions. The contingency effects further indicate greater warmth perception for female tour guides and greater competence perception for male tour guides. In addition, drawing on the value co-creation paradigm, we imply that perceived warmth is more salient for nonprofessionals, such as scholars, cultural celebrities, and even tourists themselves, whereas perceived competence is more salient for professionals, such as tour guides. This study represents pioneering work in AI-based sonic analysis in the tourism context and offers practical implications for tour guides on how to design their online tour guide audio and enhance tourist purchase decisions.

An Empirical Study on the Psychological Impact of 'Internet Celebrity Culture' on Adolescents in Small Towns through Xiaohongshu

With the widespread popularity of social media, the culture of internet celebrities has significantly impacted adolescents. This study explores the psychological effects of "luxurious" lifestyle content shared by influencers on Xiaohongshu (Red) on adolescents in small towns in China. Employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods, we investigated how the portrayal of influencer content on Xiaohongshu shapes the values and life expectations of minors. The findings reveal significant differences in values, life satisfaction, and mental health among adolescents who frequently engage with such content. These insights offer a new perspective on the impact of social media content on youth psychological development and provide recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers on guiding adolescent use of social media more effectively.

Risk-based management of international sporting events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mass gatherings include a diverse range of events such as sporting competitions, religious ceremonies, entertainment activities, political rallies and cultural celebrations, which have important implications for population well-being. However, if not managed properly, these events can amplify health risks including those related to communicable diseases, and place undue strain on health systems in host countries and potentially in attendees' home countries, upon their return. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the risk factors associated with mass gatherings and the effectiveness of applying mitigation measures during infectious disease emergencies. The pandemic has also allowed event organizers and health officials to identify best practices for mass gathering planning in host countries. To guide decisions about whether to hold, postpone, modify or cancel a mass gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization and its partners developed normative guidance and derivative tools promoting a risk-based approach to mass gathering planning. This approach involves three steps to guide decision-making around mass gatherings: risk evaluation, risk mitigation and risk communication. The approach was applied in the planning and execution of several mass gathering events, including the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lessons identified from these large-scale international events offer insights into the planning and implementation of mass gathering events during a pandemic, and the broader impacts of such events on society. These lessons may also further inform and refine planning for future mass gatherings.

Media and Celebrity Culture: The Influencer Phenomenon on Social Media

Media and Celebrity Culture: The Influencer Phenomenon on Social Media

References in Speech of Selena Gomez Billboard Music Award: Discourse Analysis Study

The purpose of this study is to analyze the function of references within Selena Gomez's Billboard Woman of the Year speech through a comprehensive analysis. The research employs a qualitative descriptive method, with data obtained from a YouTube video posted by the Global TV team on December 2, 2018. To analyze the data, this research utilizes discourse analysis theory from Halliday and Hasan (2013). The study focuses on identifying types of references and what grammatical cohesion is found in each type of reference within the framework of discourse analysis. The distribution of found references is as follows: 49 (35.8%) data for anaphoric reference, 16 (11.7%) for cataphoric reference, and 5 (3.6%) for exophoric reference. In terms of grammatical cohesion, the data are distributed as follows: 32 (23.4%) data for pronouns, 33 (24.1%) for lexical cohesion, and 1 (0.7%) for ellipsis. The study employs systemic functional linguistics (SFL) to delve into speech functions, emphasizing the importance of grammar and language in effective communication. By examining Selena Gomez's speech, the research aims to uncover underlying meanings and cultural influences embedded in her references. Discourse analysis, as a tool, allows for a broader understanding of language's role in society communication, particularly within the realm of celebrity culture. Keywords: Anaphoric, Cataphoric, Exophoric, Discourse Analysis, Reference, Youtube Video

Rumor has it: Epistemology of celebrity journalism in the flemish digital media ecology

Taking the case of Belgian (Flemish) celebrity news, we discuss the impact of digitization of the news media ecology on the epistemology of celebrity journalism. Theoretically, the epistemology of celebrity journalism is considered as a set of practices, through which knowledge is acquired, claimed and justified, that are shaped by the specifics of the media ecology and the celebrity culture and industry. Empirically, we analyze media celebrity coverage in two celebrity magazines and one website, owned by DPG Media and sharing a converged newsroom. Quantitative content analysis and expert interviews reveal that, while digitization somewhat affects the ways in which journalists acquire, claim and justify their knowledge, celebrity news epistemology is mostly affected by the distinction between local and global celebrities, mostly through direct versus indirect access.

Dream Scenario and Postcinematic Celebrity

FQ columnist Caetlin Benson-Allott turns the spotlight on Norwegian director Kristoffer Borgli, whose films ask what it means to want attention and be subject to unwanted attention in the era of social media and viral fame. His most recent film, Dream Scenario (2023), is the third in a series of films that “interrogate twenty-first-century celebrity—the forms of social, cultural, and financial capital it generates and the rules that (fail to) govern it.” In Dream Scenario, Borgli makes good use of the US star system, exploiting the contrasting filmic reputations of his leading actors Nicholas Cage and Julianne Nicholson to add depth to his critique of postcinematic celebrity culture.

Impact of Fashion on the Body Image of Adult of Age Group 18-60 Years Living in Mumbai

This paper explores the complex connection between women’s body image and fashion, with an emphasis on modern influences and ramifications. It investigates how the fashion industry affects women’s perceptions of their bodies and defines societal standards of beauty through an extensive analysis of scholarly literature and media sources. The paper discusses the self perception of women’s body image and their several methods to alter their appearance. The impact that fashion industry, social media, and celebrity culture have in encouraging women to have unsatisfactory bodies and unattainable body ideals is examined. The article also addresses the rise of body-positive movements and diverse fashion representation, emphasizing how these developments have the ability to subvert conventional notions of beauty and advance acceptance of a range of body shapes. This paper adds to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between fashion, media, and self-perception by examining both the positive and negative effects of fashion on women’s body image. In the end, it advocates for more inclusive and powerful representations of women in the fashion industry.

The Role of Popular Culture in social media on Millenniums’’ behaviors and social Identity

Popular culture is comprised of “mainstream” attitudes, beliefs, ideas, and images that are created by different media outlets ranging from print, television and the Internet. Popular culture is being greatly endorsed and promoted by the notion of globalization. Where it’s the idea that the world order is homogenous and harmonized. According to Hebdige, (2012) he defined popular culture as “a set of generally available artifacts: films, records, clothes, TV, programs, modes of transport, etc.” he argues that it is often known as market culture or mainstream culture. Due to the effect of Media globalization and popular culture, adolescents are being exposed – both negatively and positively- to numerous influential figures through radio, Internet, print media and television (Giles and Maltby 2003). At the peak of media globalization and with the rise of popular culture the phenomenon of celebrity culture has emerged (Gamson 1994; Holmes and Redmond 2006;).

Social Media, Celebrity, and Appearance Anxiety in Adolescent

This review paper delves into the intricate nexus between social media, celebrity culture, and the growing instances of appearance anxiety among adolescents. The rapid proliferation of social media platforms and the consequent rise in celebrity idolization has reshaped the way adolescents perceive beauty standards and their own self-worth. This dissertation seeks to synthesize extant literature on the subject, investigating how exposure to celebrity-driven content on social media platforms contributes to or exacerbates appearance anxiety among this vulnerable demographic. Results indicate a strong correlation between frequent interaction with celebrity content and heightened levels of self-consciousness and appearance anxiety among adolescents. This is particularly prevalent in scenarios where idealized and often unattainable beauty standards are perpetuated. This research has many implications: it highlights the need for interventions in digital media consumption, helps parents and educators understand the challenges of the digital age, and advocates for social media companies to take accountability and take action to lessen the harmful effects of celebrity culture. By highlighting these concerns, the study emphasizes the imperative to foster a healthier digital environment for the well-being of adolescents.

The Influence of Parasocial Relations on Contemporary Chinese Young Women's Idol Worship: A Study on Fan Culture

With the booming development of socio-economic and Internet technology, social culture has also continued to improve and enrich the times. Fan culture is given a new cultural connotation, and the fans cover the coverage of all sectors of society, which has attracted widespread attention. This study explores the correlation between parasocial relationships and celebrity worship among young Chinese women, utilizing questionnaires to examine how social connections influence celebrity worship behavior and its impact on well-being. The findings reveal a significant association between parasocial connections with celebrities and the level of celebrity worship. Despite potential adverse effects, celebrity worship provides emotional support and fosters a positive outlook on the future through parasocial relationships. The research also delves into the psychological mechanisms underlying the formation of these relationships, emphasizing the role of social media and celebrity culture. Understanding celebrity worship among young Chinese women contributes to our understanding of fan behavior, personal identity development, and the broader socio-cultural context of media and celebrity in contemporary society.

Pandemic Persona and Digital Culture: The Role of Celebrity Politicians on Social Networks

The paper discusses a specific intersection of the politics, celebrity, and digital culture. In the last few decades, more and more people from the entertainment realm entered the world of institutional politics trying to leverage their popularity. Thanks to the media, they manage to transfer their celebrity capital, namely accumulated media visibility and recognisability (Driesens 2013) into the political sphere. In the beginning, they improve their visibility with the help of mass media that place their personas and private lives in the focus of public attention. However, with the digitalization of the media, the popular-political landscape has changed (Marshall 2020), so today they have dispositional new bases for practising personalized politics, i.e. imposing their personality instead of political party programmes. In this paper, attention is directed to former American president Donald Trump, president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Miroslav Škoro, who was a candidate in the presidential, parliamentary, and local elections in Croatia. Although there were obvious differences between these three celebrities mentioned before entering the political arena, their later use of social networks vividly shows how they built their political/pandemic persona in the evolving mediatization of politics.

The changing dynamics of the creative city: Toward an inclusive, participatory, and place-based cultural policy in Wellington, New Zealand

ABSTRACT The policies and practices of creative cities are transitioning from a more externally focused and neoliberally oriented creative agenda toward local, place-based approaches that are grounded in the principles of social and cultural inclusion, participation, and diversity. However, little research has specifically examined the tensions, trade-offs, and opportunities cities might face in this transition. This research explores the creative dynamics of Wellington, New Zealand’s creative capital, pursuing a more inclusive and community-oriented policy. Using a case study approach, we identified seven key themes critical to supporting more inclusive and place-based creative city policies: affordability; availability of creative and cultural infrastructure; a supportive built environment; celebration of Indigenous culture and creative expression; support for inclusion and diversity; reliable funding resources and supportive regulations and processes; and grassroots community innovators. We developed these themes by considering both Wellington’s creative city policies and the existing creative dynamics of the city, which provide implications and recommendations for other cities experiencing similar transitions in their creative city policies.

It Depends

While Comic-Con is a celebration of popular culture, it is also a launching pad for new properties in film and television. In recent years, the conventional thought about how to approach this has changed from handing out free memorabilia such as tee shirts and posters to providing an actual experience in the properties world. This type of advertising is the immersive activation. The goal of the activation is an analogous relationship between the live experience and the mediated, neither serving as the precedent to the other. In embracing this analogous relationship, mediatized and live performances move forward, establishing new entanglements with their audience. The clearest example of this analogous relationship exists in activations. An immersive activation is a live-action event where the spectator is tasked with the moniker of both audience and participant. The shift from “viewer” to “collaborator” is, as Clair Bishop (2012) and so many others have noted, manifested in fascinating and new creations. I take an approach following neuroscientific discoveries, which support this shift through different means joining the brain’s function with philosophy, as I explore the immersive activation.

A socio-historical study of the emergence of celebrity culture in Iran: causes and roots

ABSTRACT This research provides a socio-historical analysis of the emergence of celebrity culture in Iran, covering the period from 1817 to 1961. The historical period is divided into four periods: During the first period (1817–1925), communication technologies were introduced to the country mainly through the Qajar kings’ intermediation. In the second period (1925–1941), Reza Shah improved the infrastructure of the country and initiated institutionalisation and legislation processes. In the third period (1941–1951), which coincided with Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s reign, the first Iranian celebrities emerged. The fourth period (1951–1961) witnessed a significant increase in cultural intermediaries and certain social changes, leading to the emergence of Iranian celebrity culture in the mid-1950s. While Iranian celebrity culture was influenced by global trends such as population growth, urbanisation, economic growth, inequality, commodification, and consumerism, the impact of local patterns and perceptions cannot be ignored. In contrast to Western societies, the rise of celebrity culture in Iran was facilitated by an anti-democratic coup in 1953, and the secularisation process in this country was not the result of gradual changes in societal values, beliefs, or attitudes. Rather, it was a political project imposed from the top down by a military ruler.

Nias Tribe Tradition as an Ideas in Creating Painting

The Maena dance, a cultural heritage from the Nias tribe on Nias Island, North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a traditional dance full of meaning and cultural values. This dance displays strong and dynamic movements, with dancers wearing traditional Nias clothing. Accompanying music, such as gondang, taganing, and tifa, creates a rhythm that strengthens the expression of the dance. The Maena dance depicts the strength, enthusiasm and unity of the Nias people. In this dance, vigorous war movements, high jumps symbolize courage, and expressive hand and eye movements express a variety of emotions. This dance is also used in various traditional ceremonies, cultural celebrations, and important moments in the lives of the Nias people. The Maena dance, as a source of creative ideas, inspires us to dig deeper into the cultural values and spirit of courage contained in this dance. Combining elements of Maena dance with modern art or developing new dances could provide a unique creative platform, celebrating Nias' cultural heritage while presenting a message of strength, unity and courage to today's generation.