The audience's role...

When you think of Angelina Jolie, probably the first thing to come to mind is the scandal with Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. The breakup of a marriage and the exposed relationship were a popular hit with the media and the public. The involvement of the public raises the issue of the influence of an audience. What role does the audience play in the creation of the celebrity and maintaining the celebrity's fame?



Gamson talks about the audience as part of the celebrity machine. The media picture could not be complete without the audience being interested and involved. In the case of Angelina and Jen, the audience was key in the scandal. The public decisively picked sides, which included tshirts, online groups, etc. It seemed that the public either loved or hated Angie. The audience was not passive in the scandal. People individually interpreted their own opinion about the situation. Therefore, the situation was shaped by the audience. Whether you hate or love Angelina, the attention she receives from you tuning in keeps her popular. After all, we've all heard that "all publicity is good publicity." I think Angelina is a perfect example of this. People across the world love her or hate her; and she keeps turning up on magazine covers.

Angie and Brad did NOT marry!!

An online source reported that the famous couple got married in New Orleans on Saturday. However, according to usmagazine's sources the story is not true. Their reps did not comment on the initial report of a marriage. Apparently in 2006 Brad told Esquire magazine that the couple will wait until gay marriage is legalized to get marriaged themselves. Brad said, "Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able." This is a powerful statement and once again the couple is using their notoriety and influence to make a political statement.

Jolie-Pitt Family

Angie and Brad's head bodyguard reportedly sent in a petition to the city of LA regarding the safety of the area of their Los Feliz, California home. The petition asked the city to make the couple's neighborhood a safer place to live for their four young children. These A-list stars are worried about the impact their fame will have on the safety of their children.

Also reported in the newest issue of Life and Style is an article about the stressful life of the couple and their children. The couple is trying to give their children a down-to-earth upbringing(they have been spotted in Walmart and dropping the kids off at daycare). However, body guards camp out in the daycare parking lot. The family flys in private planes around the world very often. The family has several homes around the country. Although the couple may be trying to give their kids the life of a normal family, there are many obstacles they cannot avoid as famous stars. What does having superstar parents mean for a kid growing up today? From the first released pictures, these kids are under the media's eyes just like their parents. They are born into instant notoriety, whether they like it or not. How fair is it?

Brangelina Shop for French House

US Weekly recently reported that Brad and Angie has made an offer on an 850 year old house in the country's Provence region. Apparently the couple looked into this $20 million house last year, but lost interest in it when they learned Brad would not be allowed to build a motorbike circuit on the 5 acre garden. Once Brangelina found out it may now be possible they were eager to look into again. Also a source claims that Angie has had conversations with the American Hospital of Paris about delivering there. Does this mean the famous couple will be moving to France?

Another move for their already born children may have a negative effect on them. Traveling and moving around so often does not seem to be suitable for young children. Small children need some routine in their life. I guess we will have to wait and see how the children turn out. Will they follow the path of many celebritity's kids(drugs, partying) or follow their mom to the middle east?

TWINS

Internet gossip website Perez Hilton reported that Angelina and Brad are having TWINSSS. The site says the twins will be a boy and a girl. Twins will total 6 children for the famous couple. Perez also writes about the how the couple's whirlwind lifestyle, mainly traveling frequently, will affect the small children. On a more superficial note, how beautiful will a young Brad Pitt be? We will just have to wait to find out...

Humanitarian or Maneater??

These two youtube videos show the two contrasting public views of Angie. Which one of these views is a correct depiction? Or can Angelina be both?

Shiloh eats cheetos!!

US Weekly wrote an online story yesterday (monday march 17th) about Angie buying cheetos for her daughter Shiloh. Specifically the article was titled "Angelina Jolie Buys Shiloh Cheetos" and specifically said...

"Angelina Jolie was in mommy mode Sunday as she took her four kids out for some munchies in New Orleans...Shiloh (who turns 2 in May) and Zahara, 3, snacked on Cheetos. Maddox, 6, chugged a bottle of blue Gatorade. Son Pax, 4 — in a Beatles Abbey Road T-shirt — ate some chips."

An article devoted to what her kids eating chips and drinking gatorade (flavor cited as well)? Who cares? We do apparently.

Brad In New Orleans

Angie's humanitarian habits seem to be rubbing off on Brad. Recently Brad met with former president Bill Clinton in New Orleans to aid Katrina victims. Pitt's new program, the Make It Right Project, aims to build 150 new affordable homes. Clinton and Pitt toured the future site of the new homes.

Angie and now Brad's efforts to help the less fornuate raise the issue of the celeb's role in society. Since they are wealthy, in the public eye, and many times a role model celebrities have the opportunity to make a real difference. And many celebs do take advantage of this. Afterall, Angie has spent considerable time working with the less fornuate.

The humanitarian

One of Angelina's more recent involvements with the middle east is the op-ed article she pennned on the importance of American help to the Iraqi refugees that have been displaced. She writes that American support is key in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the third world. Her work as a humanitarian has been closely followed by the media. Since Angelina is an A-list celebrity, her work seems to be so important. But what makes her any different from all the other individulas who are committed to obtaining peace? She is beautiful, stars in movies, and is with Brad Pitt.

Baby bump..

Rumors have been confirmed about the pregnancy of Angelina. Recent pictures in US Weekly show an obvious baby bump. The Pitt Jolie family is growing even larger (yes they are having more children to cart around the world with them). Even more interesting is Angelina's recent trip to Iraq in early February. A dangerous trip while being pregnant?

Here is a link to one of the most recent pictures of her famous bump...

http://www.usmagazine.com/angies_bump_031308?slideshow_id=607&o=8

Angelina vs. Jennifer

In my opinon the widespread interest in Angelina came in the Brad Pitt scandel. Enter Angelina into the picture while working with Brad Pitt and see you later Jennifer Aniston. At first they denied rumors of their romance (going as far as ignoring each other at their movie premier). Finally once it was confirmed the new couple wasted no time flanting their relationship with magazine covers and interviews. This many seem tacky(at least to those belonging to the Aniston camp), the bigger question is why do we care? The public has such an intense interest in these people we do not even personally know. What does this say about the impact of the media on the public and the importance we place on celebrity?