How Is This News? Justin Bieber Dislikes Paparazzi
posted in: Music News • Pop
How Is This News? explores the public’s obsession with celebrity and brings to light the issues and artists we should really be paying attention to. Written by Ourstage Marketplace Manager and Under The Gun Review Editor James Shotwell, this column aims to both enlighten and entertain.
Talk about being a baby.
Justin Bieber made headlines worldwide (and became the top trending topic on Twitter) last week after he expressed his frustration with events taking place in the Middle East. Don’t be confused though, it is not the turmoil in Libya that has got Justin down. Or the war in Iraq. Or the war in Afghanistan. Or the troops that he’s not visiting. What’s got Justin down this week is his own celebrity.
Bieber tweeted his disgust over paparazzi taking pictures of him while touring the Holy Land. “You would think paparazzi would have some respect in holy places,” wrote Bieber, “All I wanted was the chance to walk where Jesus did here in Israel.”
Really Justin? You’re the biggest pop star in the entire world and you’re surprised paparazzi are taking your picture while you’re touring one of the most famous locales on the planet? Give me a break. You just released a film (the completely over-hyped Never Say Never) documenting how you’ve spent your entire life trying to make it in this business, so you can’t play the “give me some space” card already. Your following has been built on the concept that you’re always accessible, whether through an intense marketing plan, Twitter, video updates or one of the many other outlets in this monster you and your people have created. So regardless of your new found desire for privacy, you have another year (at least) until you’re an adult and can Miley your way slightly out of the public eye.
The real issue here isn’t Bieber’s complaints though, it is why we as a public feel it deserves to be called “news.” Given the location, you’d think major media news outlets, or at least Bieber himself, could point to the real issue of highlighting a celebrity appearance over bringing to light the hardships of war, terrorism and oppression that face the people of this region. Being chased by paparazzi is something Bieber (and every celebrity) has and will continue to experience regardless of whether or not their on vacation. It is not news, it is simply a fact of life.