by Kristen Depken

Anyone to spend even a brief amount of time in a hair salon, grocery store, airport or waiting room would agree: Americans love their celebrities, or at least their drama. Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and Angelina Jolie are common names and faces. We run into them while waiting in the check-out line, hear their stories on E!, and marvel at the way they light up the red carpet with sparkling gowns and matching smiles.

However, our current “it” ladies are of an entirely different breed when comparing them to those who walked the red carpet fifty years prior. By looking at the list of celebrities with whom Americans are most intrigued today, it’s clear that the standards to which we hold our most celebrated citizens are somewhat warped. Rather than appreciating an actress’s natural beauty, a musician’s inspirational lyrics, or a politician’s integrity, we are fascinated by the late-night partying, extramarital affairs, and angry outbursts of the Hollywood elite.

Yes, we love our celebrities. I can’t help but scan the covers of newsstand favorites as I pass. However, I’m struck by what I’ve come to believe grabs us: we are fascinated not because we admire the destructive behavior of the stars, but because these antics prove to us that no one is perfect - not even those who appear to be. And when the rich and famous turn their lives into train wrecks, we not only feel a little bit better about ourselves, since anything we do will surely pale in comparison to such outrageous escapades; we begin to believe that shunning traditional ideals is the new direction toward which we should strive. And thus we do so, out of fear that we will be shunned ourselves.

Fifty years ago, celebrities attained their status as such by behaving in a manner that was quite the opposite of the behavior we witness today. Actors were idolized for their dashing good looks and chivalrous behavior, and actresses were adored for their elegance and modesty. Yet our desire for decay is unleashed on even those of the past. The golden glow surrounding such legends as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, and Audrey Hepburn is not enough to capture the attention of the American public, and our interest in such characters is only peaked if some sort of scandal is implied.

Take Grace Kelly, for example. From the start of her film career to nearly 25 years after her death, the public has had a constant fascination with Kelly. And really, what’s not to be fascinated with? A classic American beauty, born to immigrant parents and raised in Philadelphia, becomes a successful movie star, then marries a prince - her story is that of a fairy tale come to life. And, as such, it is a story well worth the admiration it has received.

Over the years, however, the appeal of Kelly’s story has shifted from its fairytale-like aura to its potential flaws. Preferring to criticize than to admire, today’s culture has taken pleasure in tearing Kelly’s image apart. Two recent attempts to discredit Kelly are particularly deplorable.