The Representation of Celebrities in Media. The Example of two Articles from Cosmopolitan Magazine

Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 2,0, University of Duisburg-Essen, language: English, abstract: This paper deals with the question, how celebrities are portrayed in Cosmopolitan magazine, and to what extent can cultural differences be identified in their portrayal? The word 'celebrity' describes someone who is famous in the entertainment industry. The term is derived from the Old French celebrité and from the Latin celibritatem, meaning 'celebration' and 'fame'. In addition, 'in the nineteenth century [that] the term 'celebrity' emerged'. During this era, a remarkable social change transpired and industrialization occured. With more extensive opportunities, free time expanded and interest in public entertainment intensified. Theaters, vaudevilles, and other performances were met with considerable enthusiasm. In the period from about 1840 to 1920, the phenomenon of celebrity began to take root as opportunities for public life and self-expression increasingly became available.