Celebrities today are launched into the limelight more quickly than ever. With millions of likes and comments, the loyal audience develops a sort of appreciation and infatuation. A celebrity's privacy should be respected just as much as anyone’s.
With an increased following, having such a large platform of outreach leaves an impression. Social identity theory explains how an identity, such as celebrities, can influence how followers think, feel and behave. As the media becomes more and more ravenous for a look into a celebrity's life, there is a pull away from both ends.
Unfortunately, after a celebrity shares a personal or vulnerable moment with their followings, there is an expectation for them to maintain this relationship with the public. The constant media attention is what drives their popularity, yet at the cost of their vulnerability as well.
A right of publicity is the right to control the commercial value of a name, likeness, voice, signature or other personal identifying traits. Privacy is seen to be an integral part of the right to publicity and protects someone from the publication of false information, the publication of embarrassing private information and being portrayed in a false light.
Vanessa Bryant, widow of Kobe Bryant, was owed $29 million by Los Angeles County in a lawsuit accusing first responders from the sheriff’s office of negligence and invasion of privacy for taking and sharing photographs of the helicopter accident that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, their daughter, Gianna, and other passengers aboard.
In 2008, Erin Andrews, a Fox Sports reporter and host for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, was involved in a lawsuit involving a serial stalker, Michael Barrett. Barrett had found Andrews's hotel room in a Nashville Marriott and recorded her inside her room through the door’s peephole. Andrews was in the nude and within the privacy of the hotel room.
Andrews asked for $75 million in damages, alleging negligence and invasion of privacy among others. Barrett was sent to prison for thirty months and the jury awarded Andrews with $55 million, winning against both the hotel owner and the stalker.
The video footage of Andrews in her hotel room was released to the internet, accumulating millions of views and unwanted fame.
Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC said, “The problem here is, she had no clue she had become an overnight internet sensation. This unwanted fame brought her humiliation and unsolicited harassment by strangers.”
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle won the legal battle against Associated Newspapers. The publication printed parts of a private letter handwritten to her father, written shortly after marrying Prince Harry.
The High Court ruled against the newspaper group on the issue of privacy and copyright. Sean Coughlan, a Royal Correspondent, analyzed Markle’s case and wrote, “She’s drawn a line in the sand. Even if her life is in the public interest, she’s shown that it doesn’t make her public property.”
Celebrities and public figures have a right to privacy as well as moving toward legal actions once their privacy is violated.
Daphne Graeter is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Daphne know by emailing her at dg422421@ohio.edu.
