Celebrities influence students

The world is filled with celebrities. With their glamour, expensive houses and fancy cars, they are at the center of American entertainment.

Some of the biggest types of entertainment in the world are television and movies. Weber State University students go to the movies on the weekends, subscribe to magazines and watch the latest celebrity gossip on television.

America is filled with celebrity gossip, and many gain guilty pleasure from hearing about what is going on in the lives of popular celebrities.

Emylie Woods, WSU junior, likes to follow the celebrity gossip.

"I totally am interested in the celebrity world," Woods said. "I just think it's fun to be current on all of the gossip and who is dating who."

Cassie McFarland, WSU sophomore, however, said that she doesn't really care about what is going on in celebrity life.

"I like to see what clothes celebrities wear," McFarland said.

There are many magazines that people subscribe to. Almost all magazines have information on a celebrity. Magazines frequently have a popular celebrity on the cover to draw attention to the magazine.

Leah Jacobsen, WSU junior, subscribes to Cosmopolitan and also reads other magazines such as People.

"I think it is interesting to read about what goes on in the lives of celebrities," Jacobsen said. "They are rich and famous; many of the things they do are the same as normal people, except they do everything in the spotlight."

Many TV shows get attention because they feature popular actors and actresses. Many people have a favorite actor they enjoy watching. There are shows dedicated to celebrity gossip, such as "E! True Hollywood Stories" and "Entertainment Tonight." VH1 frequently has TV shows dedicated to celebrities.

Woods said she likes to watch "E! True Hollywood Stories."

"No matter what people say, everyone wants to be famous in one way or another, so it's fun to see how you could be living one day," Woods said.

Celebrities set the style for America in many ways. Many girls copy stars' haircuts as well as the handbag they see their favorite star carrying.

"I tend to follow trends like most people do, but I have never done anything just because a celebrity did it," Jacobsen said.

Woods, however, pointed out a trend that many girls followed -- at least in the past.

"I followed the famous 'Rachel cut' in junior high, but what girl didn't?" Woods said.

Not everything from television and magazines can be believed. Students have to distinguish between what is real and what is not.

"I don't think that you can really believe anything," Woods said. "It depends on where you get your information from."

You can leave a message for reporter Mikaela Bailey by calling 626-7621.