What’s the Point of Celebrity Speakers?

The force of celebrity is undeniable. They sell magazines, papers and prompt us all to switch on and tune in daily. They have an impact on the clothes people wear, the products we use plus the food we eat, or not. What exactly, then, is the place of the celebrity speaker in our already fame obsessed world? Surely the many more subtle endorsements, or rather the more conventional kinds, such as TV advertisements and the like, are enough of an intrusion into and influence on us without the famed becoming celebrity speaker at all sorts of things from political rallies, to store openings to charitable dinners?

The celebrity speaker is increasingly prevalent and potent. Whether or not it be of their own accord or because of a large hire charge, it’s more normal than ever to see some celeb or other at events. Notable examples of stars becoming speaker are that of Bob Geldoff and the band of celebrity crusaders with a conscience, using their celebrity and influence to boost awareness of the predicament of the hungry.

More recently than that, celebrity speakers happen to have been observed trying to play more of a political purpose. There’s Jamie Oliver and his one-man battle on junk food and even more recently there was the case of Arlene Phillips coming into governmental politics as the dance tsar.

Irrespective of whether we like it or not, then, the celebrity speaker is bigger today than ever. Not anymore do celebs only have an impact on fashion and beauty; today’s celebrity speaker has a valid message. What place for the celebrity speaker? The young look up to celebrities and in many cases the more senior individuals among us must admit to being a bit interested in what they have to talk about. Their celebrity is alluring plus they are role models, no matter whether we like it or not. So if the celebrity speaker will be able to drive forward a charity’s cause, send out a clear message to enhance the country’s health or even stir up a little involvement in politics, then certainly they’ve a place. And not just a role: a duty, to use their influence sensibly.