The debate surrounding whether famous individuals today make good role models is a highly contested topic. Some argue that certain well-known figures can serve as positive examples by engaging in beneficial activities like assisting in developing countries, donating to charities, and participating in sporting and charitable events. On the other hand, not all celebrities exhibit these commendable qualities; some indulge in reckless behavior, violate laws, and abuse drugs and alcohol. Consequently, doubts arise regarding the suitability of famous people as role models for younger generations.
However, actor Johnny Depp stands out as an exceptional exemplar amidst this skepticism. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Depp experienced a challenging childhood due to his parents’ divorce when he was eight years old. This tumultuous upbringing led him towards various psychological issues and self-destructive behaviors. Nevertheless, his life took a positive turn when he encountered his first wife Lorri Anne Alison and embarked on his acting career. Starting with “Nightmare on Elm Street” in 1984, Depp went on to star in numerous successful films. In 1999, he welcomed his first child Lily-Rose Depp alongside his new wife Vanessa Paradis.
Unfortunately, she fell seriously ill with a kidney infection and had to stay at Great Ormond Street hospital. Fortunately, she recovered from the illness and Depp was extremely happy. To show his gratitude, Depp began making substantial monetary donations to the hospital. Since then, he has actively participated in numerous fundraisers and charity events, continuously providing financial support to organizations dedicated to helping children. Through these actions, Depp serves as an exceptional role model.
Anne Hathaway is another individual who embodies extraordinary role modeling qualities. She is a respected Academy Award winner and advocate for human rights. Hathaway has received multiple awards and recognition for her exceptional acting skills, including winning an “Academy Award for Best Actress” for her performance in “Rachael Gets Married.” Additionally, Hathaway actively engages in various charitable endeavors such as St.Jude’s children’s research hospital and the human rights campaign.
In 2007, she bravely shared her personal battle with depression and now devotes her time to assisting others who are fighting the condition without relying on medication or drugs. Hathaway sets an admirable example by providing aid to those in need.
Role models can be found beyond public attention or fame, exemplified by Sir Bill Gates. Known for his business expertise and entrepreneurial brilliance, Gates is regarded as one of the most influential role models.
At the age of 13, Gates created a computer program that allowed players to play tic-tac-toe against the computer. At 17, he and his friend started their own computer company and developed their first computer processor. Despite achieving an impressive SAT score of 1590/1600 and attending Harvard University, Gates dropped out in his second year to focus on Microsoft. Under his leadership, Microsoft became a leading technology company.
In 1994, Gates and his wife Melinda founded “The Bill and Melinda Foundation” with the goal of addressing global poverty. In June 2008, Gates handed over Microsoft to Ray Ozzie for $50 Billion, increasing his net worth to $101 Billion and making him the world’s first “cent billionaire.” With full-time commitment to the foundation, Gates donated £33.5 Billion of his personal fortune to charity.
Gates also collaborated with Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg on a commitment to donate half of their net worth ($42.55 Billion) over time, making it one of the most well-funded charitable organizations globally. This showcases Gates’ selflessness and concern for global issues and others’ welfare.
However, not all celebrities can be role models;Paris Hilton, who gained fame due to her grandfather’s ownership of the “Hilton Hotel” empire, exemplifies individuals who achieve notoriety through illegal means. Renowned for her extravagant lifestyle and constant partying, Paris Hilton faced severe criticism and media backlash on February 3rd, 2007 when an explicit video featuring her engaging in sexual activities with her ex-boyfriend was leaked online. The leaked footage further tarnished Hilton’s image as it revealed her use of racist and derogatory language. Prior to this incident, on January 15th, 2007, she was apprehended for driving under the influence while speeding at twice the speed limit despite already having a suspended license from a previous conviction. Consequently, she received a jail sentence of 45 days but ultimately served only 40 days under house arrest. Despite evading complete legal repercussions for her actions, it is difficult to consider Paris Hilton as a positive role model based solely on her behavior.
Famous individuals, such as Jordan or Katie Price, can also gain notoriety for causing trouble. Price, a glamour model, made headlines when she married singer-songwriter Peter Andre after their relationship began on the TV show “I’m a Celebrity Get Me out of Here.” They tied the knot in September 2005 and had three children together: Harvey, Junior, and Princess. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 2009 after three and a half years. Throughout the divorce proceedings, both Andre and Price were constantly in the media’s spotlight. While Price seemed to enjoy the attention initially, she resorted to sharing sensationalized personal stories with the media to stay relevant once it faded. These stories included claims of being raped by a “famous celebrity” and accusations of secret affairs by Andre. Her dramatic behavior eventually led to her own reality TV show where cameramen followed her while she lived her normal life.
Another example of celebrities becoming infamous is Charlie Sheen. He gained recognition for his role in “Two and a Half Men” and was once the highest-paid actor on TV earning $1.25 million per episode. However, despite his successful career, he experienced a mental breakdown that resulted in multiple stints at rehab within 12 months starting from January 2011.Unfortunately, the treatment attempts mentioned earlier were not successful. Sheen openly made offensive remarks about “Two and a Half Men,” its production crew, and creators. Consequently, he was fired from the show and went through a widely recognized decline. He publicly identified himself as a “warlock” with “tiger blood.”
He later had numerous other incidents, including images of him on a roof, holding illegal weapons and consuming class A drugs. Overall, there exist certain renowned individuals who solely devote themselves to assisting others and unquestionably deserve admiration. Nonetheless, there are also negative celebrity role models who gain fame for all the incorrect motives. In my viewpoint, unless you have personal acquaintance with them, you should refrain from idolizing them. Nevertheless, I do maintain the belief that there are famous individuals worthy of emulation; it merely depends on the person and the aspirations you hold for yourself.
