Movie Star Happiness

Everyone struggles with sadness, disillusionment, & addictions. The public struggles of movie stars & famous people may make them less happy than normal people.

Movie star happiness isn't all it's cracked up to be because of the public struggles of famous people. Models, movie stars, musicians and star athletes may actually be prone to more bouts of unhappiness and even despair than regular people.

Famous people are almost four times more likely to commit suicide than average Americans, says writer and professor Jib Fowles (author of Star Stuck: Celebrity Performers and the American Public). Movie star happiness seems hard to achieve, in part because the public struggles of famous people make the headlines every day.

Public struggles of movie stars

We're aware of the struggles of famous people, and they show that movie star happiness is tenuous. For instance Kate Moss was addicted to cocaine and treated in a rehab centre. Marilyn Monroe, blonde bombshell movie star, was severely depressed before she committed suicide (or was murdered, according to some conspiracy theorists). Phil Hartman – tv actor, Simpsons’ Lionel Hutz voice – shot his wife, then killed himself in his home in California. Rock star Kurt Cobain commited suicide. Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in a hotel room. These examples make movie star happiness seem hard to achieve.

Movie star happiness is hard to achieve for several reasons:

• Movie stars have no secrets. The public struggles of famous people include break ups, disappointments, and weaknesses. The public struggles of movie stars are available for everyone to see, discuss and mock. We love reading about the gaffes and gossip of the rich and famous; the more embarrassing, the better. Can you imagine your personal life – your divorces, addictions, and mistakes – being available for the world to see? Movie star happiness or despair is public. It doesn't help that we're addicted to celebrity gossip, of course.
• Movie stars' sense of self is (or could become) lost. Famous people may lose touch with who they really are and what they really think and like. The media and fans have their own ideas about who a movie star is, which makes it difficult for the celebrity to remain grounded in his or her own self. Movie star happiness is affected by knowing that the world perceives you inaccurately, or doesn't know who you really are. And, sharing your opinions on national tv (such as Tom Cruise’s speculations on Brooke Shield’s postpartum depression) could make you vulnerable to a massive attack. The public struggle of famous people to determine a sense of self can make happiness shaky.
• It's lonely at the top. Movie star happiness may be affected by the whole experience of reaching the pinnacle of success and realizing it’s not as fulfilling as you think. It’s like getting your first book published, or earning your first degree, or being on tv for the first time…at first it’s exhilarating, but then you eventually wonder, “Is this it? What else is there?”
• Imposter syndrome may hit. Some celebrities are bewildered by their fame, knowing that they’re not perfect – and not even as wonderful – as their fans think. This, the “imposter syndrome”, occurs when people don’t feel they deserve their success. Famous people may also fear being discovered, that the American public will find out that they’re not as wonderful as they’ve been made out to be.

Movie star happiness is affected by:

• Paparazzi and the press take unanticipated, unauthorized photos
• Their children being approached, even harassed
• Stalkers could seriously impact their lives
• Critics may negatively review their acting, writing, or singing
• The public may lose interest
• Their relationships and life events – even their garbage – is on public display
• They’re pressured to succeed and perform better and better all the time

Fame no doubt has its benefits, but it could be a stressful existence. Movie star happiness is definitely not a guarantee. However, one person’s garbage is another’s treasure, and one person’s stress is another’s oxygen. If movie stars are in the ‘biz because they genuinely love entertaining, they may find the stress easier to take. Who knows: perhaps movie star happiness could even override the public struggles of famous people.

If you found Movie Star Happiness: The Public Struggles of Famous People interesting, you might like:

• Addicted to Celebrity Gossip
• Psychology of Happiness
• The Secret Law of Attraction

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