Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truths Behind America’s Favorite Addiction — by Jake Halpern
Jake Halpern grew up in the unglamorous Rust Belt city of Buffalo, New York, where he briefly found himself fascinated by Robin Leach’s celebrity show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous until his parents gave the television away. This book is a journalistic journey to examine the role and meaning of fame in America today.
Like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous , which showed the homes and possessions of the famous, rather than the famous themselves, this is a book is not about celebrities themselves, but about those who want to be famous, used to be famous, or want desperately to be associated with the famous.
He begins his journey with a visit to a talent school in his home city of Buffalo, and follows young hopefuls to a modelling and acting showcase in New York, where some few may attract the attention of agents and actually launch a career. He also goes to a gated community in Hollywood that serves as a temporary homebase for young actors and their families as they try to make it in television or the movies, as well as a school attended by some of the working or would-be actor kids. Later, he visits a home for elderly actors, where he meets two formerly successful actors, one who walked away from it all at the height of her fame, and one who never quite achieved the fame he wanted and still finds himself wondering if there’s a chance for him.
Halpern also interviews those who don’t seek personal fame, but rather connection with the famous, including an MBA from South Carolina who gave up a corporate job to move to LA and pursue life as a celebrity personal assistant, and a devoted (even devout) Rod Stewart fan, who talks to her pastor about whether her obsession with Stewart is a form of idol worship, and wonders what she’d do if Stewart ever wanted her to run away with him.
Halpern also talks to psychologists about the desire for fame, and presents some interesting and distrurbing studies showing why and how an increasing number of young people are fascinated by celebrities, dream of becoming famous or of at least basking in their reflected glory. But Jake Halpern is at his best when he’s simply following people around and engaging them in conversation, and giving us a glimpse into their lives.
I especially liked the part where he talks about interviewing The Edge, the lead guitarist from U2, who invites him to a concert, and how he suddenly finds himself instantly transformed from objective journalist to starry-eyed fan!
- Jake Halpern — The author’s website
- Are We Addicted to Fame? — A segment on the book from 20/20
- Hollywood’s Little Helpers — “In this excerpt from his new book, ”Fame Junkies,” Jake Halpern wonders what drives the men and women who work long hours catering to the whims (and tantrums) of Hollywood celebs” (a book excerpt from the Entertainment Weekly website
- 3 Reasons You’re Addicted to Gossip — “You can’t help it. It’s evolutionary biology” (a brief review of the book by Carolyn Wilsey for Esquire
- Lifestyle: Gill Deacon Show: Star Gazing — A video interview
