It Is Still Just An Opinion—Celebrity Status or Not

Interesting as well about this MTV Awards show is that singer Amy Winehouse did not appear (and has canceled several shows) "in a continued effort to support [her] well-being." She may very well be currently in rehab or other health care facility. She is only 23 years old. The irony is that she was slated to sing, "Rehab," a song that is autobiographical regarding her own resistance to entering rehab earlier in life (although she did go). Her father-in-law has released a statement that fans should not buy her records to send the message to get clean with her addiction to drugs. Such purchase or non-purchase will do nothing when it comes to drug addiction. All the father-in-law is showing, in my opinion, is ignorance rather than support.

And in the end, all the speculation about what was right or wrong about Britney Spears' appearance is just an opinion. On her fan websites the fans debate what Ms. Spears "owes" them. So, a CD purchase means that she owes you something? When did that become part of the equation of celebrity?

For all the friends who have supported me, if I should try and still not perform up to their standards of excellence and perfection, do I owe them something more than the best I may offer for supporting me? If you support someone, you do it because you care: there are no strings attached. But in the world of celebrity, apparently the fans feel they are due.

Yes, it is clear and well-known that the media is over-the-top in the photos and reporting on each little detail of celebrity life. And if Ms. Spears and Ms. Winehouse are having issues with their well-being, then they have issues with their well-being. Period. End. Move on. Let health happen without judgment and speculation. Throwing opinions around may not be the best thing for these young celebrities to be taking in right now. And this leads me to question the mental health status of Americans.

Everyone--paparazzi, celebrities, common folk--have mental health issues. There is a non-profit organization, Mental Health America, which is committed to the mental well-being of all Americans [http://www.nmha.org/] and is a great resource. Mental Health America contends that all Americans are on a continuum of mental well-being and are committed to the mental health of all Americans--illness or not. Staying well requires education, paying attention, and knowing when to reach out for help. If these celebrities need to reach out for help, let us honor that and not stalk the trial and error of discovery for what it means to be healthy. If we as Americans need to know the spoils of other's lives, and comment and judge, what does that say about us?

This is my opinion, and in the end, it is yours that counts for you and how you choose to respond.