On Celebrity

Celebrity sits at the heart of our contemporary societies, shaping our values and lifestyles. In this authoritative essay, Frédéric Monneyron offers a rigorous sociological, historical, and philosophical analysis of this sprawling phenomenon. He dissects its evolution from ancient holistic societies, where individuals existed primarily through their rank, to the era of triumphant individualism and social media. From the decisive invention of photography in the 19th century to the "micro-celebrity" of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, the author meticulously explores how visibility transformed into major social capital, spawning a secular "sacredness". This book appeals to students, researchers in the humanities, and any reader seeking to decipher the complex mechanics of contemporary media culture. Monneyron astutely distinguishes between notoriety, traditionally rooted in a body of work or function, and modern celebrity, which relies almost exclusively on the visibility of the image and the body. He analyzes the trajectory of immortal modern myths like Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, and Marilyn Monroe, while questioning the fragile, fleeting nature of fame in the digital platform age, where the demand for visibility compels each individual to become their own media outlet. Throughout the chapters, the book tackles profound societal themes, beginning with the birth of the star system via silent cinema and the Hollywood industry. It then examines the social functions of celebrity, notably its unexpected role in female empowerment, the redefinition of gender roles, and the fight against discrimination. The author also scrutinizes the overwhelming impact of social networks, which have established a fierce competition to capture the attention of a volatile public. Finally, the essay highlights the fundamental aesthetic dimensions and the crucial importance of physical beauty within the hierarchy of modern idols. Enriched by an illuminating foreword by Frédéric Gimello-Mesplomb, "On Celebrity" is an essential work for understanding what our idols reveal about our anxieties and our relationship with the world. It provides a crucial analytical framework to decode the sociology of media, the evolution of mentalities, and our collective, sometimes blind, fascination with the digital icon.