If I Grow Up, I Wanna Be Just Like...

I think when it comes to celebrities, we often forget that they too, are just as human as us. I kind of hate the spotlight importance given to their daily lives, dramas, and opinions. Unless said celebrity is famous for being well-versed on a subject (Bill Nye, Laci Greene), why are we turning to them for guidance?
In that same vein, with the sort of pedestaled hero-worship of many celebs, it raises the question of their responsibility as role models to their fans - i.e. pop stars.

On the one hand, I'm a big fan of the American ideals of autonomy, freedom of expression, and individuality.
I like to think we as individuals are capable of thinking for ourselves, but we all have someone out there we strive to be more like, and often it's easy to view them with rose colored glasses.

However, when a person finds themselves in a position of influence, I think there does come some degree of obligation to do right by it. I don't think celebrities should be held to higher standards, per se, but they should consider the affect their behaviors have when observed in the millions.

If anything, these "role models" should maintain the same sort of discretions as an average person of influence would have in positions like political office, teaching, religious leaders, and even parenting. These people are expected to influence others, and because of this are held to certain personal standards than say, me and Husband.

Should I ever attain a following in the millions, I too would reign in and vet my content with the idea in mind that I may be influencing others' behaviors. That's not to say I'll change much, but there may be deeper explanations or disclaimers attached to my stances and actions.