Defining "Celebriity"

     Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a celebrity. Some of you may not know this, but I am in a collab channel called FiveUnknownNerds over on youtube. On Sunday, my friend Katherine called me while I was out to dinner with family to inform me that Mike Lombardo had commented on one of our videos. This was really exciting for all of us and really got me thinking about the people in my life that I look up to.

     A short anecdote to start off the conversation: Last year in my art class as a final project each student picked a "hero" in their life, drew them, and wrote an essay about why they are a hero. I chose J.K. Rowling. As we did a gallery walk around the room, I was shocked to find that very few of the other drawings were of people I would consider "heroes." I saw Angelina Jolie, Taylor Lautner, and so many more of society's celebrities.

     To be honest, I don't think that I look up to any celebrities of today as heroes or even devote my time to thinking about them. The celebrities in my life are people that, are heroes, that do make a difference in the world, and are people I enjoy not just based on outside appearance. My celebrities include HayleyGHoover, Mike Lombardo, AlexCarpenter, John and Hank Green, Andrew Slack, and so many more. 

     This is why I get so excited when someone @replies me, when someone responds to a comment of mine, when someone sends me a lovely email, when I receive a package from a contest and it includes a personal note. This is why I was so excited Mike Lombardo commented on a video. This was a appreciation and recognition from a true celebrity. I feel justified in these feelings and in who I consider a celebrity. Sure, maybe these people don't have millions of dollars, haven't founded their own charities, and haven't adopted 12 kids. It doesn't matter to me. I enjoy these people for who they are. They are interesting, amusing, talented, and, yes, charitable people. That is why I consider them "my celebrities."

     Merriam Webster defines celebrity as: : the state of being celebrated or a famous or celebrated person. Using this as a guide, I do think that "my celebrities," aren't just mine, or my take on celebrity. They are celebrities. They are celebrated, the matter, and yes they do have fame. Overall, I don't consider myself to be the person who needs an autograph or a picture with them (although those things are nice). To me, the most valuable thing they could give me is friendship and recognition. My celebrities and I have tons in common and an opportunity to spend time with them, to work on projects with them, and to get to know them as the flawed humans they are is the perfect gift.