There’s always celebrity gossip or celebrity news making the rounds on gossip sites. And the celebrity gossip industry makes over three billion dollars every year, if you look at combined revenue. In recent years, we’ve seen an upswing in diversity in Hollywood, and the latest entertainment does a better job of portraying the true face of the United States — a multi-ethnic, multicultural melting pot. So it’s no surprise that networks like Black Entertainment Television (BET) or black entertainment news sites are becoming more popular as well. Celebrities can be huge influencers, raising awareness and money for various causes, especially among young people. Almost 30% of those between 18-36 support a cause because of a celebrity. So let’s talk about some of these diverse celebrities who are changing the face of music, television, film, and more.
Who Are Some of the Best Known Celebrities in the African American Community?
In the latest entertainment tabloids, you may see some of these familiar names.
Tyra Banks broke ground as the first African American to be on the cover of GQ in February of 1996 as well as the covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the Victoria’s Secret lingerie catalog.
In film and television, Oprah Winfrey is a huge name, who has branched out to other successful enterprises. The Oprah Winfrey show ran for 25 seasons (between 1986 and 2011) and was placed on 120 channels. She reached an audience of 10 million and the show grossed $125 million by the end of the first year.
Will Smith is one of the best paid actors in the film industry — almost all of his movies have grossed over $100 million. Denzel Washington is one of the few black actors to have received an Academy Award (just the second in history after Sidney Poitier) and has also won two Oscars.
In the music world, Beyonce and Jay-Z are legends. Beyonce is one of the most successful female artists in the music world, with an estimated net worth of $450 million. And Jay-Z’s The Bluepring 3 netted him the 11th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 — that’s more number one albums on the chart than Elvis! His net worth is around $650 million.
Why Is Diversity in Entertainment So Important?
The latest entertainment should reflect the populace. There are more and more kids who are diverse or come from mixed-race households, who want to see their own experience reflected in the culture they consume.
And thankfully, as more young people enter the entertainment industry, that’s becoming possible. Our popular culture is finally beginning to reflect how America really looks. Diversity also brings a richer experience to the table. Different viewpoints, cultures, and memories create more complex stories and dynamics to draw from, which as artists, is always a benefit.
Variety is the spice of life after all — watching the same plotlines and culture play out on the screen time and time again will eventually get old.
How Can Celebrity Gossip Be Helpful?
Celebrity tabloids are often ragged on and can often be harmful to emotional health, but they do have their benefits. They can often help shoot a starlet to stardom. If you’re included in the latest entertainment roundup, consumers are likely to know your face and follow your work. The obsession we have with our celebrities can help catapult a virtual unknown to fame.
Being recognized may also help celebrities land better jobs, have more say or flexibility in their contracts, and keep the cycle going. It may also keep celebrities more conscious of their words and actions. Since they’re in the public eye, they’re held to a decorum that many of us aren’t and need to be attentive and aware to current events and how they comport themselves.
You can learn a lot about Hollywood from reading the gossip sites or tabloids. Seeing the big names, who’s pinpointed as “up and coming” and current news is all part of developing what we call “pop culture.” And it’s a positive that more diversity is entering into our pop culture, providing a more interesting and welcoming experience.