Public lives, private woes?

It is hard to browse the Web now without stumbling across the massive scandal surrounding the world's Number One golfer Tiger Woods, who is just four championships away from Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Masters wins. Print tabloids on both sides of the Atlantic and gossip websites such as TMZ and Radar Online which wouldn't know a birdie from a bogey are full of sordid details of the shamed golfer's private life and many mistresses.

Tiger Woods is a celebrity, one of the world's biggest. He is icon, a brand and even a role model for millions the world over. Alas, is the not the only public figure or celebrity who has travelled down this path of shame.

President Bill Clinton knows the meaning of the word 'scandal' all too well.

Many kings and queens, world leaders, film stars, sports personalities and business figures have seen their worlds crumble before their very eyes thanks to their indiscretions/transgressions or substance abuse.

Television and the Internet also have the power to make celebrities out of mere mortals, through so-called 'reality' shows. This is a misnomer, for these are souped-up affairs far from reality. Here in Sri Lanka, we have seen virtually unknown youngsters become 'superstars' overnight with SMS votes. Overseas, shows such as Survivor and American Idol have done the same thing. The public then develops an unhealthy appetite for news regarding these new celebrities as well.The Tiger Woods saga raises several, somewhat controversial, issues. The first issue is privacy. Woods appealed to the press and to the public to respect his privacy in the aftermath of the minor accident that blew open the cover of his private life. But Woods was very much a public figure. He sought millions of dollars even for a public appearance. He appeared in advertisements on behalf of several companies, some of which have unceremoniously dumped him following his admission of infidelity.

In other words, Woods used his immense popularity among the public to earn even more money than what only golf would have given him. It goes without saying that the public and his sponsors believed he had an unblemished character. The moment that charade was exposed, there was a rush for the exit.

The first question that arises here is, do celebrities (including politicians, business and sports personalities) really have a private life ? It is very hard to define a clear border between private and public lives of a public figure. What they do behind closed doors should be none of our business - or is it ? In the case of a politician, we would have paid taxes to fund his or her residences, vehicles and other facilities. In the case of a celebrity, we could have paid hard earned money to buy a product pitched by him or to watch a movie starring him. Doesn't this make them answerable to the public vis-à-vis the conduct of their lives, public or private ?

The collision of these worlds is inevitable under some circumstances. The car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana revealed the most intimate details of her life. However crude it may have seemed, that was essential for the whole story to be told. The Monica Lewinsky episode took place at the White House itself, which is funded by taxpayers. Shouldn't they know what is going on there ?

This is where the press and the Internet come in. Let's face it, the public wants to know what their idols are doing, 'on and off the field' so to speak. There is an insatiable appetite on the part of the public for such news. We are all human and we like it when celebrities fall of their high pedestal - moral or otherwise - a la Tiger Woods and come crashing down to earth with a loud thud.

True, there are occasions when a celebrity or politician could have a truly private moment. For example, it is wrong for a newspaper to publish a picture of celebrity swimming naked in the swimming pool at his/her private house. What if he or she is spotted naked at a public beach? Then it is news.

If a politician uses an official vehicle for a private purpose, then the public has a right to know what is going on. Once again, the boundaries are not very clear but the fact is that celebrities of all kinds seldom have strictly private lives. Every moment of their lives is under scrutiny.

It is the society and to some extent, the media, that should be blamed for turning celebrities into demi-gods. They are portrayed as perfect human beings who can do no wrong. That is why we feel let down and 'cheated' when they have multiple affairs behind our backs or engage in other nefarious activities. Most are also duped into buying the products they endorse, based on so-called 'celebrity appeal.'

But should celebrities be considered as 'role models' for our youth and kids ? Princess Diana was adored the world over, but morally speaking, she could never be an example for the young. Tiger Woods is an exceptional golfer, but is his philandering life worthy of emulation by anyone ? Michael Phelps is a celebrated swimmer, but should we also try marijuana simply because he has inhaled it ? Celebrities should never be considered role models, though we can adore them for what they do professionally.

The same goes for celebrity product/service endorsements. Celebrities hardly have any idea of the products/services they endorse - it's the money that matters. Unfortunately, some celebrities do have the power to convince us that the products they endorse are superior in some way. The best approach as consumers is to evaluate products on our own, without being swayed by celebrity approvals and other advertisements.

Should we care at all about celebrities at all ? They are public figures and thus hard to ignore. They are in the news, for right or wrong reasons. We envy rich and beautiful people - that is human nature. But we should not idolize or hero worship them, for we also fall when they fail and fall.

Perhaps, there is another lesson for 'mere mortals' in the Tiger Woods and similar sagas - never assume you are infallible, never take your normal life for granted.

Life has its ups and downs, take it in its stride - just don't take any wrong decisions.