uHollywood

Since the days of Fay Wray (the original “Ann Darrow” from King Kong), society has been fascinated with celebrities. It is no different today, just a bit more pronounced with the inception of the internet, mobile phones and most recently, daily blogs. We seem to maintain interest in which famous person is doing what to whom, where they are doing it and when. Celebrity scandals (as dubbed by the media), their pets, weddings and anything that seems newsworthy makes the media cut. At the Oscars, we listen to descriptive details of who’s wearing the Vera Wang or Versace gown, etcetera, and etcetera. Of course, not everyone is enthralled. Nevertheless, society has much more knowledge of celebrities these days, whether theyselect to follow the fascinated crowds or not. It’s all about publicity. Rehab is just another method of keeping the celeb in the public’s eye, be it a real effort to help oneself or not. With so many celebs needing help within a rehab, it has indeed become the new fashion. It’s sometimes touted as an effort to align themselves with the general public…a down-to-earth approach to identify with their respective audience. It sounds cynical but is laden with truth.

Rehab has indeed become the new fashion. Why else would a person reveal the fact that they’ve somehow been so overwhelmed by their occupation and personal problems that they need help in a rehab facility? It’s a fashionable way to solicit sympathy.

Publicity agents and personal spokespersons make a very nice profit from a celebrity who decides to seek help. They step up at press conferences to read prepared statements and assure us all that their client is going to be fine. The entertainment shows usually run such stories at the beginning of their broadcasts and magazines snatch up the story all to get tongues wagging. The publicity agent’s job is done. The celebrity relaxes for awhile in seclusion and re-emerges “cured”. With the right amount of time and appearances, their career canstart to resurrect and all is well.

As most everyone will agree, entertainment is huge business with many facets that can be exploited for profit. Rehab is good business for the facilities that provide the service, the agents and the celebrities.