The positives and negatives of Fame encompass drugs, alcohol, money, family, supporters, and an incredible journey. Asturias portrays these advantages and disadvantages as a group of teenagers experiences various stages in their pursuit of fame. Similar themes are also present in my TOYOCS of “Billionaire” by Travie Mccoy and “Almost Famous” by Cameron Crowe.
The visual representations I have presented represent various facets of fame. One common belief is that fame equates to wealth, which stems from people purchasing merchandise or companies sponsoring individuals. This notion of fame and money is evidenced in Asturias when we learn about Time and how he “became considerably wealthier than his parents.”
This passage indicates that pursuing fame can ultimately result in wealth. On page 71, the title “The Yellow-Brick Road” employs symbolism, with “the yellow-brick” representing money/gold and “road” representing a journey or pathway to fame and fortune. The song “Billionaire” also contains similar lyrics, such as “I wanna be a billionaire so freaking bad, buy all of the things I never had.”
The text emphasizes the use of rhyme as a technique to capture the listeners’ attention and highlights the notion that achieving fame inevitably leads to wealth. The film “Almost Famous” also reinforces this idea, albeit in a slightly negative manner. For instance, Russell uses the phrase “somebody who sold you to Humble Pie for $50 and a case of beer” during a gambling scene. This scene demonstrates that money is still relevant but holds less significance compared to the time prior to becoming famous.
While fame is often depicted in a positive light, it also comes with negative aspects such as drug and alcohol consumption. While not all celebrities give in to these temptations, the allure of wealth that accompanies fame can be difficult to resist. In Asturias’ book (page 168), there is a line that illustrates this pressure: “Tim was drinking excessively and staying out until very late at night.” This showcases how fame provides individuals like Tim with the means to buy alcohol.
This exposes the negative aspects of fame and the added pressures that come with it. However, the song “billionaire” does not touch upon any negative themes, such as alcohol. The tempo is rather quick and the tone conveys a happy and positive feeling, focusing on money and fame. This downside is exemplified in Almost Famous when Penny experiences heartbreak and turns to drugs and alcohol, putting her life at risk. The movie clearly depicts this as a negative thing through the use of dark lighting and presenting a negative view of Penny.
Privacy is a negative aspect of being famous, as it leads to a lack of privacy and the constant presence of paparazzi. The constant surveillance and intrusion can be irritating, as exemplified in Asturias when Tassia has to cover her face to go shopping.
This highlights the challenges of carrying out everyday tasks amidst constant presence and interruptions from others. The lyrics “I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine” in the song ‘Billionaire’ may not explicitly address negative outcomes of fame, but it does reveal that celebrities frequently appear in magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets, sometimes for less favorable reasons. This can infringe upon their privacy. Even ordinary aspects of life can become troublesome when the media becomes involved.
The use of deception in making celebrities appear more fascinating is common. Instead of outright lying, celebrities often manipulate and manipulate the stories of people. Asturias provides an example of this, particularly in how the band members’ histories and life stories were portrayed. The truth was told, but it was presented in a twisted manner that accentuated certain aspects. It was a form of bending the truth rather than outright lies.
Engaging the audience and making them more interested is a technique commonly used. In the movie Almost Famous, deception takes place when the band members claim that their focus is not on money but on playing music. However, their actions reveal a different motivation as they clearly pursue wealth, fame, and romantic interests.
Many individuals, particularly teenagers, view becoming a celebrity as an aspiration. However, they often only concentrate on the benefits and disregard the drawbacks. It is crucial to bear in mind that celebrities are ordinary people with families and conventional lifestyles.
Being famous does not diminish the importance of family. It serves as a reminder that famous individuals are still ordinary people living ordinary lives. Despite attaining fame and wealth, many people tend to overlook the significance of family easily. However, there are exceptions like Alex from Asturias who continues to prioritize his Grandad, indicating that he has never forgotten the importance of family.
