When you think of celebrities and the media what comes to mind? “Inside scoop?” “secrets about …?”  Do you feel like you have the right to know all these incredible personal things about them? ‘Cause in the end, they are just like the rest of us.

Some media today use their platforms to shame celebrities. An unflattering picture of a highly known celebrity could pay a photographer between $1,000-$10,000. Paparazzi are making money from celebrities’ candid lives doing things we do every day, such as sunbathing on a beach or just taking a walk with their children.

Recently, actor Jonah Hill reflected in an Instagram post about his lack of confidence growing up.

“I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I was in my mid-30s even in front of family and friends,” Hill wrote.

“Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by press and interviewers,” Hill was responding to pictures Daily Mail (a British tabloid) published of him while at the beach surfing. “This is for the kids who don’t take their shirt off at the pool. Have fun. You’re wonderful and awesome and perfect. All my love.”

Hill gives us a snippet of insight into the Hollywood world and how it can alter one’s self-image. The media has a responsibility to minimize harm but also give us this view inside our favorite people’s lives. When does it begin to be too much?

Actress Kelly Marie Tran, most known for her character Rose Tico in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films, faced plenty of racist and sexist backlash from her Star Wars role. Her Star Wars wiki page was vandalized with racist and ableist slurs and her social media was filled with more hateful comments. In an interview on tour with the Last Jedi press, Tran was asked about her position as a lead actress of color and if she took it seriously.

Tran responded, “I wish I didn’t have to answer this question. I wish we lived in a world where every person has the chance to write, direct, produce, and star in movies but that’s just not true.” She said, “It feels like a responsibility but it’s awesome as I get to be in this movie and be this character, but it’s horrifying because it’s so rare. I don’t take representation lightly, and I am excited to be part of the change.”

Celebrities put themselves in the position to be monitored all the time, but the scrutiny they face is often bewildering. Tran specifically wrote about avoiding the media out of fear of being scrutinized and picked apart; yet here she is facing just that. It seems the media can completely consume even our favorite celebrities, but it is more about who they are than what they are. The more focus put on labels and surface level understanding, the less we see who these people really are.

Erin Lynch is a senior communication major from Yukon, OK.