Canadian pandemic icon Justin Bieber has been making headlines for fans’ “worrying” behavior over the past week. A series of sleepy public appearances and mysterious Instagram posts have sparked new speculation about the mental state of the baby singer. “I think sometimes when I feel like I start to become unreal,” Bieber wrote in an article. “And then I remember all of us thinking we are not enough, but I still hate it when I change myself to please others.”
He is not alone in summoning the emotional cost of becoming a celebrity. Back in 2007, Britney Spears shaved her head at the moment of existing public rebellion. Later, in her memoir, she explained, “I’ve grown a lot… shaved my head and shown is the way I push back.”
At closer homes, Indian stars also object to media invasion and online toxicity. After the knife attack on Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan posted a message to the paparazzi asking them to “have a heart” to leave her family alone – although it was later deleted.
Continuous censorship of the constant emotional stress faced by celebrities, which quietly builds up and then explodes in the public eye.
Celebrities are also humans!
Entrepreneur Shilpa Reddy believes that the public often forgets that celebrities are as human as others. “Celebrities are because they are human. Everyone goes through emotional highs and lows, but the rules are more harsh to them. They expect them to always look, talk and behave in a way – and over time, it becomes suffocating.” “A wrong word can make you cancel on social media. That stress adds up.”
She also pointed to the ripple effect of unrealistic expectations. “Young people often internalize these impossible standards. That’s why it’s refreshing when celebrities are honest – it conveys a healthier message. We need to get rid of celebrity worship and remember that they also have real emotions, real lives.”
Living in the spotlight is not easy
Famous gynecologist Dr. Manjula Anagani and many celebrity friends Padma Shri winners believe that these moments of collapse are usually for a long time. “I can say for sure that living in the spotlight is not easy. Expectations for them are shocking. The public believes that sudden collapse is often the result of years of emotional burden,” she said. “We need to create space where public figures can show vulnerability without judgment. It’s not weakness, it’s honesty.”
