http://www.inosr.

net/inosr-arts-and-management/
Thakkar and Lortie
INOSR ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 6(1): 44-48, 2020.
©INOSR PUBLICATIONS
International Network Organization for Scientific Research ISSN: 2705-1668

Effects of Idols in Youths

Thakkar, M. and Lortie, K. L.

Department of Education, Universite Tunis Carthage, Tunisia.

ABSTRACT
Puberty is one step toward the gates of manhood. To live this life, they need identity.
Sometimes there are teenagers who have difficulty in finding their own identities, but not
infrequently there are teenagers who can recognize themselves respectively. In the stage of
knowing the identity of these, no doubt they need a model that they consider capable of
describing their identity. This model is called the idol. Many teenagers wants to imitate
their idol, the teens want to be just like their idol that most notable are great people or that
they consider to have an advantage, giving rise to a tendency to idolize. Not infrequently
the youth to follow and even emulate their idols. Many teens are influenced by the
presence of the idol. Ironically, instead of self-discovery, they are actually trapped in the
identity of others. But there are also teenagers who are motivated by their idol. It also
depends on the individual teen. How to cope with their excessive admiration which can
result in positive effects in their lives.
Keywords: Idols, teenagers, celebrities

INTRODUCTION
Idol is the figure which highlighted lot of
people because of the prime
achievements. A lot of the race becomes
an idol, but only a handful that has the
formula as a true idol that will emerge as
winners. Idols can play an important
place in adolescent life [1]. The
phenomenon of idolization, the
sometimes excessive admiration of or
devotion to something or someone is
especially characteristic of adolescents
and their transition to adulthood. Familiar
scenes of bedrooms covered with posters
of celebrities, sports heroes, and popular
bands, and, increasingly in our computer-
age society, the development of Web sites
and blogs devoted to media idols is often
characteristic of adolescent behavior [2].
The objects of idolization come from
various domains of social life including
sports, mass media, and music; and they
can be quite powerful objects of devotion.
An idol gives considerable influence on
teens, especially if the idol is a leader in
the community (public figures) that is
able to attract a large number of people in
large numbers anyway. According to Erik
Erikson, during this identity crisis, a
significant social relationship that affects
the adolescent is a model of leadership. In
this model of leadership is an idol [3]. An
example, if there is a bunch of bands that
managed to attract many young people so
that the teens had ―hypnotized‖ by him
within the meaning of the song gave
comfort to teens, the teens then slowly
began to identify all the things that exist
in the band ranging from used clothes up
her hairdo [4]. A person who managed to
touch the hearts of teenagers, then that
person will be a teen idol. Factors that
had touched the hearts of teenagers is the
ability to understand the youth, a genuine
acceptance and support is greatly to his
personal life. The band or singer that lyric
provide reinforcement or encouragement
for teenagers, then the band or singer
would soon become a teen idol, call Agnes
Monica, she is one of the Indonesian
singer who has millions of loyal fans, the
reason they like Agnes so diverse, starting
to like her songs, her fashion style, her
dances, her achievements, or even her
attitude [5].
For teens, idol is the figure that is able to
provide inspiration about life that
empowers and emotional touches that can
provide reinforcement [6]. Inspiration,
and emotional touch that strengthen and
empower is inspiring and emotional touch

44
http://www.inosr.net/inosr-arts-and-management/
Thakkar and Lortie
INOSR ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 6(1): 44-48, 2020.
that suits the needs of adolescents. As
mentioned above earlier, a teenager needs
is the need to be understood, understood,
and fully supported. The need to
understand and be understood requires a
touch of emotional support to teenagers
who do not curb the need inspiration, but
it gives a genuine insight and direction
and empowers [7]. Inspiration that
empower is to give choices to suit the
conditions teenager.
Despite the apparent pervasiveness of
idolization, researchers have not studied
this aspect of adolescent development as
much as one would have expected [8].
Sometimes idolization is viewed as
something that is insignificant,
transitional phase to be tolerated or
ignored.
The Impact of Celebrities on Teen Body
Image
Research shows that teen body image is
shaped by many factors. These include
friends and family, where the teen lives,
and their cultural background. However,
celebrity images have a profound impact
on teen body image [9].
The Today Show and aol.com collaborated
on the ―Ideal to Real‖ body image survey
[10]. As a result, the survey found that 80
percent of teen girls compare themselves
to images they see of celebrities.
Moreover, among those girls, almost half
said that celebrity images make them feel
dissatisfied with the way they look [11].
Therefore, appearance is among
teenagers‘ top concerns, teen girls in
particular. In her book Think: Straight
Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a
Dumbed-Down World, author Lisa Bloom
reveals that 25 percent of young
American women would rather win
America‘s Next Top Model than the Nobel
Peace Prize [12].
How Celebrities Influence Teen Eating
Disorders
Celebrities influences teenagers body
image because body dissatisfaction is
linked to mental health challenges,
including eating disorders, depression,
and low self-esteem [13]. Studies find that
young women who consume media with
many images of an unrealistic ―thin ideal‖
are more likely to exhibit symptoms of
disordered eating. In addition, the Girl
45
Scouts Research Institute found that
nearly half of girls ages 13 to 17 wish
they were as skinny as the models in
fashion magazines [14]. Celebrities play
into this trend when they document their
extreme diets or use language that can be
triggering for those with eating
disorders—such as when the entertainer
Kim Kardashian recently expressed
gratitude for being told she ―looks
anorexic‖ [15]. News outlets covered a
conversation between the Kardashians
and the backlash it spawned. When
celebrities minimize the severity of eating
disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, or
endorse taking unhealthy products to
a suppress appetite, they are emulating
dysfunction. Furthermore, for celebrities
that are as exploited for their physical
bodies as often as the Kardashian family
is, they are shirking an opportunity to
reframe the narrative around healthy
weight. Hence, teens are told that looking
skinny defines your worth [16]. This
messaging is superficial, heartbreaking
for many, and can be deadly for those
who suffer with life-threatening eating
disorders. And it‘s not just teen girls who
are affected. Research shows that young
men also experience body dissatisfaction
and depression as a result of viewing
media images. And this body
dissatisfaction can lead to unhealthy,
excessive exercising among male teens.
Positive Celebrity Influence on Teen
Body Image
However, some celebrities influence the
body-image discussion for the better. For
example, the singer Lorde called out a
Photo shopped image of herself on
Twitter [17]. She noted that one photo
showed her with ―perfect‖ skin while the
other was real. ―Remember, flaws are ok,‖
she tweeted. Other celebrities, including
Rihanna, Beyoncé, Melissa McCarthy, and
Jennifer Lawrence have spoken out
against the ideals of beauty promoted by
the entertainment and fashion industries
[18].
Substance Use and Celebrity Influence
Celebrities influence teens in other ways
as well. When stars post images of
themselves drinking or smoking on social
media, they normalize substance use.
Furthermore, they make it appear
http://www.inosr.net/inosr-arts-and-management/
Thakkar and Lortie
INOSR ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 6(1): 44-48, 2020.
attractive and cool. Moreover, teens often
idolize celebrities and want to be like
them [19]. Therefore, if they see images
on Instagram of a favorite singer or actor
using drugs or drinking, they might be
tempted to do so as well. For example, a
University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine study looked at teenagers who
frequently listen to music that contains
references to marijuana. Subsequently,
they found that these teens are more
likely to use the drug than teens with less
exposure to such lyrics. In addition, for
every hour that American teens listen to
music, they hear more than three
references to different brand names of
alcohol [11]. Researchers say that this
might contribute to teen drinking. In
addition, researchers at Dartmouth
Medical School found that movie
characters who smoke cigarettes
influence teens to try smoking. Therefore,
media influence on youth can contribute
to risk-taking behaviors.
The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements
on Teen Nutrition
Moreover, celebrities influence how teens
eat. In one study, researchers examined
endorsements made by 163 music
celebrities who were popular with teens
[5]. They used Teen Choice Award
nominations as a way to measure the
celebrities‘ popularity among adolescents.
And many of these celebrities endorsed
snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
[10]. Subsequently, the researchers found
that 71 percent of the beverage
endorsements promoted sugar-sweetened
drinks. Also, 81 percent of the endorsed
foods were low in healthy nutrients. In
other words, celebrities are encouraging
teens to eat food that doesn‘t support
their physical or mental development [4].
That‘s because nutrition and teen mental
health are closely linked. Certain
nutrients directly contribute to mental
health. And an increasing body of
research reveals the negative impact of
sugar on the brain and body.
Celebrities Can Raise Awareness and
Reduce Stigma
Many celebrities are open about their
struggles with addiction and mental
health [2]. As a result, they help to reduce
stigma and raise awareness. For example,
46
before reportedly entering rehab after an
apparent drug overdose earlier this
summer, Demi Lovato released a song
about relapse, titled ―Sober‖ [7].
Consequently, the song inspired young
people nationwide to open up about their
substance abuse and mental health
challenges. Lovato has struggled for years
with drug abuse, alcoholism, depression,
bipolar disorder, and eating disorders.
While her recovery continues, her song
helped increase understanding around
relapse and addiction [8]. For many
people, relapse is part of the recovery
journey. Furthermore, it provides an
opportunity to address the underlying
issues and build better coping strategies.
In addition, the singer Ariana Grande has
been frank about her battle with PTSD and
anxiety following a bombing at a concert
venue while she was performing [16].
Moreover, the model Bella Hadid has
shared about her social anxiety. And
England‘s Prince Harry has spoken
publicly about the trauma of losing his
mother, Princess Diana. Subsequently, he
and Prince William formed the Heads
Together initiative. The project tackles
stigma, raises awareness, and provides
help for people with mental health
challenges [2]. These are just a few of the
many celebrities who have shared their
struggles with the world. As a result,
celebrities influence the public‘s
understanding of these issues.
How to Talk to Teens about Celebrity
Influence
Media influence teens because pop
culture plays such a big role in teens‘
lives, celebrity‘s influence the way teens
think and what they talk about [9].
Therefore, parents can use celebrities‘
experiences as avenues for talking about
sensitive subjects. Thus, celebrity
anorexia cases offer opportunities to talk
to teens about how dangerous the ―thin
ideal‖ can be. And they can discuss
healthy ways to stay fit and eat well.
Moreover, stars who speak out about
coping with mental illnesses demonstrate
that people with such diagnoses can be
successful and happy [12]. Parents might
ask teens what they admire about the
stars they follow. Some teens are upset
when they find out about a celebrity‘s
http://www.inosr.net/inosr-arts-and-management/
Thakkar and Lortie
INOSR ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 6(1): 44-48, 2020.
struggles. Therefore, parents can offer a
different viewpoint: Stars who share their
stories are examples of courage, honesty,
and authenticity [6]. Moreover, their
vulnerability makes them stronger. And
they often receive tremendous support
and love after opening up. In this way,
they serve as role models for youth.
However, some celebrities are unable to
Celebrities are really people. Thus, they
experience real struggles. But because
they are in the public eye, teens have the
opportunity to learn from them. And
parents can help them sort through the
information and take away a healthy
message. They can as well ask them some
questions like, what qualities do they
1. Akuoko, K. O. (2008). Traditional
values, socio-cultural factors and
human resource management
practices in public
organisations in Ghana‘, Journal of
Science & Technology (Ghana), Vol.
28, No. 3, pp.58–69.
2. Ashford, J. B., LeCroy, C. W. and
Lortie, K. L. (2006). Human
Behaviour in the
Environment, 3rd ed., Wadsworth,
Belmont, CA.
3. Blumer, H. (1993) Movies and
Conduct, Macmillan, New York.
4. Fairburn, C. G., Welch, S. L., Doll,
H. A., Davies, B. A and O‘Connor,
M. E. (2015). Risk factors for
Bulimia Nervosa: a community-
based case control study, Archives
of General Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No.
6, pp.509–517.
5. Florea, R. and Florea, R. (2011)
‗Socio-cultural environment
influence on the pharmaceutical
market development‘, Economy
Transdisciplinarity Cognition, Vol.
14, No. 1, pp.468–475.
6. Friedman, H. H. and Friedman, L.
(1979) ‗Endorser effectiveness by
product type‘, Journal
Advertising Research, Vol. 19, No.
5, pp.63–71.
7. Gaur, S. S. (2012) ‗Ohanian‘s
celebrity endorsers‘ credibility
scale: evaluation and validation in
the context of an emerging
overcome mental health conditions. The
deaths this year of designer Kate Spade
and television personality Anthony
Bourdain brought renewed attention to
mental illness and suicide [9. Therefore,
the message for teens is that people who
are suffering must seek professional
treatment as soon as possible.
CONCLUSION,
youths want to emulate? Perhaps
creativity, passion, or dedication? What
can they learn from the lives of celebrities
who have struggled with depression,
anxiety, eating disorders, or substance
use? This alone when deeply considered
will yield a positive result by leading the
youth to make a rightful choice.
REFERENCES
economy‘, International Journal of
Indian Culture and Business
Management, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp.152–
sector 161.
8. Goldberg, M. E., Gorn, G. J.,
Peracchio, L. A. and Bomossy, G.
(2003) ‗Materialism among youth‘,
Journal of Consumer Psychology,
Vol. 13, No. 3, pp.278–288.
Social 9. Hyman, M. R. and Sierra, J. J.
(2010). Idolizing sport celebrities:
a gateway to psychopathology?,
Young Consumers, Vol. 11 No. 3,
pp. 226-2
10. Jowett, G. (2016) Film: The
Democratic Art, Little Brown,
Boston.
11. Kumar, S. and Lata, P. (2019)
‗Understanding the impact of
advertising on children and
redefining the laws of living in
India‘, Sharma, S., Sharma, J.P. and
Singh, R. (Eds.): Pester Power Effect
of Advertising on Children, pp.21–
30, Centurion Institute of
Professional Studies, Jaipur.
12. Moses, E. (2010). The $100 Billion
Dollar Allowance: Accessing the
Global Teen Market, John Wiley
of and Sons, Inc., New York.
13. Ohanian, R. (2016). Construction
and validation of a scale to
measure celebrity endorsers‘
perceived expertise,
trustworthiness, and
attractiveness‘, Journal of
47
http://www.inosr.net/inosr-arts-and-management/
Thakkar and Lortie
INOSR ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 6(1): 44-48, 2020.
Advertising, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp.39–
52.
14. Rogers, E. (2013). Diffusion of
Innovations, 4th ed., Free Press,
New York. Ronald, B. (1981)
Advertising and Social Change,
p.13, Sage, Beverly Hills, CA.
15. Thompson, J.K., Heinberg, L.J.,
Altabe, M.N. and Tantleff-Dunn, S.
(2018). Exacting Beauty: Theory,
Assessment and Treatment of Body
Image Disturbance, American
Psychological Association,
Washington, DC.
16. Thomsen, S. R., Weber, M. M. and
Brown, L. (2012). ‗The relationship
between reading beauty and
fashion magazines and the use of
pathogenic dieting methods among
adolescent females‘, Adolescence,
Vol. 37, No. 145, pp.1–3.
17. Visualizations created using
http://textisbeautiful.net/
(accessed 2 June 2013).
18. Weisfeld-Spolter, S. and Thakkar,
M. (2011). ‗Is a designer only as
good as a star who wears her
clothes? Examining the roles of
celebrities as opinion leaders for
the diffusion of fashion in the US
teen market‘, Academy of
Marketing Studies Journal, Vol. 15,
No. 2, pp.133–144.
19. Wetherly, P. and Otter, D. (2011).
The Business Environment:
Themes and Issues, Oxford
University Press, Oxford.

48