EOTO 3: What I Learned: Celebrity Journalism

Celebrity journalism is one of the most followed topics in the world of journalism. Celebrity journalism keeps up with the stories of the most prominent figures in Hollywood, digging into every nook and cranny of their private life. 

Celebrity journalism has been around for a very long time, and its origins trace back to the John Quincy Adams administration. The first presidential interview was none other than Quincy Adams, who was interviewed by Anne Newport Royall. Readers loved this interview and took to the idea of this kind of journalism. 

Anne Newport Royall 

After this, the celebrity news business took off. It advanced through media and newspapers, many publications using yellow journalism to plaster their headlines and front pages with celebrity news. Publications were bringing in more and more subscribers from celebrity stories -- and they began to make a heavy profit off of it. 

Marilyn Monroe on the cover of Screen Stories in 1953

The first gossip magazine in the U.S. was titled Photoplay, and it featured celebrity figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret Sullavan and Norma Shearer. It was one of the most popular magazines of its time, and it was the leading celebrity magazine even after the competition came in.

Margaret Sullavan's Photoplay cover

Suddenly, America's most prominent political figures, movie stars and other big entertainment names were ending up in papers and special edition magazines weekly. 

Everyday citizens and readers were fascinated to get the inside scoop on their favorite (as well as America's favorite) celebrities. There was a race for other publications to get in on this action, but there was one central question.

What is the appeal of celebrity journalism?

Aside from the entertainment, it was a distraction. A huge draw to these stories was (and still is) the fact that it takes attention away from public life and politics. It took away a lot of that coverage, which was a huge benefit for many readers. It was a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and it was much "lighter" news. 

And even today, celebrity journalism still has the same effect.

Big headlines and tabloid style magazines are still huge when it comes to celebrity news. E! News and Entertainment Tonight are two of the biggest celebrity news outlets that use social media as their most important tool. Social media has brought a new sense of closeness, and it has only enhanced celebrity journalism.

When it comes to celebrity news, I enjoy it to some degree. I like to know when my favorite country artists are up for an award or have announced a new album. And I will even admit that sometimes I don't mind it too much when the Kardashians make their way onto my social media feed (although I do believe that they are the most overrated family in history).

I think that celebrity journalism, when consumed responsibly, isn't a bad thing. I do think it has negative effects when it's the only media content that a person is taking in. It's good to a certain amount, but it has its limits.