A DISEASE CALLED FAME

In 2014, 20 Feet from Stardom won an Oscar for the best documentary. It is about some singers
who helped to make the greatest popular music of the 20th century, such as Darlene Love and
Merry Clayton. Many of them had voices as good as the lead singers in their bands, but they
were never the stars themselves. They say they sang, not to become famous, but because they
were born with a talent. It was a pleasure to use it.

How different that is from our attitude today! For years now we have had a ‘disease’ called fame
- and it’s getting worse. People believe that the best thing in life is being famous - a celebrity. So
how and when did this happen?

It’s partly because of the music business. Before the ‘60s, fame usually meant Hollywood and
movies. But since the time of rock 'n' roll, the idea has grown that anyone can form a band and
perhaps become famous. And with the power of the media, success, money and attention have
become very attractive. Fame has seemed even more possible since the early '90s, when the
music business began making stars as well as finding them. Think of One Direction and Justin
Bieber.

What part does TV have in all this? Today’s international audiences love reality TV like Big
Brother, and shows like Got Talent are getting more and more popular all the time. This is
encouraging people to want fame even if they don’t have much talent. People think they are
going to be the next top model, singer, businessman or chef and they are ready to face horrible
judges, arguments and tears - all on camera.

In the end, is fame worth it? Celebrities have to deal with photographers and gossip and it’s
difficult to have a private life. More and more famous stars are living like animals in a zoo. They
are there for our entertainment, so we often enjoy their pain as well as their success. And what
does that say about us? Has this celebrity culture done more damage than good? Are we
becoming a crueller and more selfish society? If so, how are we going to change this?

Taken from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/course/lower-intermediate/unit-

20/session-4

1. Choose the right answer and underline the evidence in the text.

- Darlene Love and Mary Clayton sang in bands because...

a) ...they wanted to be lead singers.
b) ...they enjoyed it.
c) ...they learnt to sing when they were children.
- Today's attitude to fame is...
a) ...making us ill.
b) ...changing.
c) ...improving.
- Since the 1960s...
a) ...Hollywood has become less important.
 b) ...there have been more talented people.
c) ...it has become easier to be famous.
- These days, reality TV and talent shows...
a) ...are good for people’s attitudes to fame.
b) ...are bad for people’s attitudes to fame.
c) ...have smaller audiences than before.
- People take part in talent shows because...
a) ...they want to become famous.
b) ...they have a lot of talent.
c) ...the talent show audience thinks they are very talented.
- Celebrities...
a) ...always have difficult private lives.
b) ...often talk about other people.
c) ...don’t always have easy lives.
- The article suggests that...
a) ...we should think carefully about our attitude to fame.
b) ...it’s too late to change our attitude to fame.
c) ...we should be kinder to celebrities.