THE CULT OF CELEBRITY

Cooper's Blog Has A New Location! (Click here)

2011-07-25T13:53:00.007-04:00

And please watch our new TV show DISH NATION

www.dishnationtv.com

Will Kim's Marriage Work This Time?

2011-05-27T18:47:00.002-04:00

Will Kim's family and long distance relationship be a problem for her marriage to Kris? Read what Cooper had to say at Hollywoodlife.com

Arnold Schwarzenegger Is A Sleazebag For Blaming Maria!

2011-05-27T18:43:00.002-04:00

Read what Cooper and Bonnie Fuller have to say about cheatin' Arnold on Hollywoodlife.com

MTV's "Teen Mom" makes Teen Moms Miserable

2011-03-30T16:06:00.003-04:00

Cooper tells Popeater that, "Putting [Teen Moms] in the spotlight is extremely dangerous because these are young, impulsive girls." Read More at http://www.popeater.com/2011/03/29/teen-mom-issues/

Why Does Everyone Cheat on Elizabeth Hurley?

2011-02-16T18:34:00.003-05:00

Cooper tells popeater, "If she [Elizabeth Hurley] chose a guy for his heart rather than his status or wallet, she would have a much deeper, real relationship and would be less likely to be cheated on." Read more...

How Ken Won Barbie's Heart Back

2011-02-14T02:30:00.002-05:00

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Ken has brazenly taken out billboards across the country, declaring, “Barbie, I want you back!” Cooper tells The Daily Beast why Ken and Barbie are our favorite celebrities !

Moms Are Angry at Lea Michelle's Latest Skin Show

2011-02-06T11:39:00.008-05:00

Lea Michelle may be an adult, but her young fans and their moms aren't happy about her latest mag cover showing way too much of the Glee star Cooper says, "Why take the risk that even one teenager will get the wrong message of from her idol?" Read more here or go to Fox411.com

Who Should Play Julian Assange in the movie?

2011-01-24T22:29:00.004-05:00

Cooper weighs in telling Popeater "Helen Mirren for sure! The gender-bender thing is always attention-getting, just the way Cate Blanchett did it in 'I'm Not There' ..." READ MORE!

Owen Wilson Keeps His Private Life Private

2011-01-12T17:43:00.003-05:00

Why on earth is this news? Well, with all of the celebrity access we have these days, it actually is.
"Celebrities only have to reveal what they want us to know. Here is yet another example of how a star can have a private life if they so choose.This is a good lesson to remember the next time something 'leaks out' about a star and they act horrified that it did." Read More...

Why Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez Are Doomed

2010-11-29T19:01:00.003-05:00

Cooper and other experts weigh in with Popeater as to why this relationship may be heading for splitsville!
Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez rekindled their romance over the Thanksgiving weekend with a steamy vacation in Mexico. According to US Weekly, the pair break up and then get back together all the time. Bad idea, guys! This relationship seems toxic, especially for Cameron, who at 38 should be focusing on a serious relationship instead of a fling with a serial womanizer. Our relationship experts say there is no way this couple is going to make it in the long run.

"A-Rod is just like Tiger, Tony Parker and all those athletes who have women in abundance and they can't resist sampling all the goods," says relationship expert Cooper Lawrence, author of 'Been There, Done That, Bought the Jewelry.' "He isn't looking to settle down again, he did that already and found it was not for him. When you date A-Rod, you have to know what you are getting into or else you're an idiot. He isn't long-term material, he is arm candy for holiday parties."

Cameron hasn't had the best track record at choosing men....

The Upside of the Cox-Arquette Split? Jennifer Aniston Finally Has the Perfect Wingwoman!

2010-10-18T19:32:00.002-04:00

Cooper talks to Popeater about the two single Friends

Jen Anniston: Must Love Dogs

2010-10-06T19:45:00.002-04:00

Do you agree that, "A pet can tell a lot about your personality?" Read more of Cooper's take on the subject.

Reality TV and suicide intertwine once again

2010-09-30T17:27:00.001-04:00

Which came first, the troubles or the fame?

After the suicide of a former contestant on Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares," the spotlight has once again shone bright on the issues of reality TV stars
Read Cooper's comments in this CNN Showbiz exclusive

Is It Creepy to Speculate About Justin Bieber's Love Life?

2010-09-07T18:46:00.003-04:00

Cooper Tells Popeater "...entertainment weeklies and tabloids have been reporting on the love lives of teen stars since there were teen stars, David Cassidy, Michael Jackson, Donny Osmond..." READ MORE

John Cusack: A Twittering Fool?

2010-08-31T20:16:00.004-04:00

Read what Cooper tells Fox News 411 about John Cusack's startling comments
"...The responsibility is on him to not abuse his fame to influence something negative on the off chance that even one person takes his words to heart,”

Does Zac Efron Want Vanessa Hudgens to Dump Him?

2010-08-24T20:26:00.002-04:00

Cooper tells Jo Piazza, "...it's our bias against his good looks and the rampant infidelity in Hollywood that has caused us to question when a star proclaims his love..."

Lady Gaga's Cocaine Admission Sends Mixed Signals to Fans

2010-08-09T18:30:00.001-04:00

Cooper tells Popeater, "As much as I love her, it was a huge mistake to admit to coke use."

Popeater: What's Behind Mel Gibson's Pathological Ranting?

2010-07-27T20:11:00.002-04:00

Cooper in today's Popeater, "A sane person would have stopped before it reached this point"

Cooper in HollywoodLife.com

2010-07-27T18:27:00.002-04:00

....There’s something kinky about it, she likes the attention and she also thinks it’s funny,” says Lawrence, who is also the author of the Cult of Celebrity.

Jen Was Damn Smart to Flee LA Before Angie’s Big Night

2010-07-21T20:36:00.002-04:00

Cooper weighs in on Jen's departure from LA this week during the Salt premiere, “If I was her best friend I would have advised her to get as far away as possible, which she did,” says Cooper Lawrence, author of The Cult of Celebrity.

Jill Zarin Is Not Leaving 'Housewives of New York'

2010-06-30T20:07:00.003-04:00

Rest assured 'Housewives' fans, Jill Zarin is not quitting Bravo's 'Real Housewives of New York City' -- despite reports claiming otherwise. On Tuesday evening, Cooper Lawrence, host of the nationally syndicated 'Cooper Lawrence Radio Show,' asked Zarin on air if she was leaving the reality TV show, but apparently her quote was taken out of context.

READ OUR FRIEND ROB SHUTER'S POPEATER PIECE FOR THE WHOLE STORY!

Jill Zarin on The Cooper Lawrence Show!

2010-06-30T20:05:00.003-04:00

Goodbye!

After the cattiest and most irritating season of The Real Housewives of New York yet, Jill Zarin may be leaving the show for good.
According to Cooper Lawrence, host of the nationally syndicated Cooper Lawrence Radio Show, Jill told her things are "up in the air" and she may opt not to return to the show to go on a "spiritual journey."
Will this journey take you to another network and a solo project, perhaps??
And hold up! If she goes and Bethenny goes and Alex and her freaky hubby go, then who the hell is left? The Contessa? Is that it?

More Jill Zarin on The Cooper Lawrence Radio Show

2010-06-30T20:04:00.003-04:00

Jill is taking a page out of Ramona's handbook. "You know what I want, I want to go on a spiritual journey," READ MORE....

Celebrities Don't Really Die in Threes ... Do They?

2010-06-01T20:57:00.001-04:00

Cooper Tells PopEater "The concept of things happening in threes is deeply rooted in religious beliefs like Christianity, the Holy Trinity, the Three Wise Men, etc.," Read more!

How Hollywood Women Keep Their Men HOT For Them ALWAYS

2010-05-27T20:48:00.003-04:00

All the research of the last 50 years reveals that about 40% of men cheat, so what does a girl in Hollyweird do?
COOPER TELLS HOLLYWOODLIFE.COM

Is Diva Drama Used Just To Sell Albums?

2010-05-27T20:42:00.003-04:00

Cooper Tells CNN.com why media likes to pit women against each other. Now it's Christina Aguilera who denies rumors she has any animosity toward Lady Gaga!

How Sandra Bullock Kept Her Biggest Secret

2010-04-28T18:11:00.003-04:00

Cooper tells POPEATER

How Sandra Bullock Kept Her Biggest Secret

The Safe Sex Appeal of Justin Bieber

2010-04-19T21:49:00.005-04:00

The Safe Sex Appeal of Justin Bieber

Cooper tells MSNBC why times change but idols don’t

"...According to Cooper Lawrence, the author of The Cult of Celebrity, Bieber is unique because unlike most young male stars today, he’s embraced his boyish image: “Most young boys want to be rockers. They want to look like rockers and skate punks. (But) those aren’t the kind of boys that a young girl feels safe to fantasize about.”
...No matter how raunchy the pop scene gets, there will always be a place for teen idols, because they serve as “fantasy” boyfriends to young girls, said Lawrence. “These guys are great examples of the young pop star that’s OK to be in love with. This is about (the girls’) first experience in a romantic relationship. So they can fantasize having a crush on Justin Bieber, and his music, his image and all of that encourages it.”

On Sandra Bullock and Everywoman's heartbreak

2010-04-09T20:57:00.006-04:00

Cooper Tells Canada's

A Thing or Two About

Sandra Bullock's love life: Why do we care?

2010-03-19T21:19:00.004-04:00

Cooper tells CNN why we should care about Sandra Bullock's love life

"She's never done a sex tape, there's nothing scandalous, and she plays these sweet roles in movies -- there's nothing negative to say about her," said Cooper Lawrence, a relationship expert and author of "The Cult of Celebrity." "For a lot of women, she reminds us of ourselves."...But when it seemed that she'd been able to reform the bad boy -- which is the dream of many women, Lawrence says -- "we'd all hoped he changed," she said, because "we loved Sandra so much, we wanted her to be happy in real life."

Sandra and Jesse: What Went Wrong

2010-03-18T20:23:00.005-04:00

Read what Cooper has to say about the Jesse James and Sandra Bullock scandal!

...But Cooper Lawrence, a relationship and psychology expert and author of The Cult of Celebrity, says James' alleged infidelity could be explained by his wild past: He was once wed to porn star Janine Lindemulder (with whom he and Bullock recently engaged in a nasty custody battle over 5-year-old daughter Sunny).
James is "a guy who likes sports cars and strippers and tattoo models," Lawrence tells Us. "He's just going back to who he really is. I don't think he was trying to hurt Sandra intentionally. He is just somebody who acts on impulse and does what he wants in the moment. He is not like Tiger Woods who let fame get to him."
Could Bullock and James ever get past their marital woes?
No, says Lawrence, who tells Us that Bullock made "a terrible mistake" wedding James

image: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Can Tiger Win Back Women Fans?

2010-02-19T12:09:00.002-05:00

Cooper goes on CBS The Early Show to discuss Tiger's Marriage, Children and Sex

Addiction

Watch CBS News Videos Online

The Difference Between Jennifer and Jessica

2010-02-10T18:33:00.012-05:00

What's the Difference Between Jennifer and Jessica?

Click HERE and read what Cooper tells Jo Piazza from

Why Are Brad and Angelina Suing Now?

2010-02-08T18:56:00.002-05:00

Why Are Brad and Angelina Suing Now?

Click below to check out what Cooper has to say!

photo:Francis Specker/Landov

Elvis is Alive! (sorta)

2010-01-12T23:22:00.005-05:00

Check out Cooper talking to

about how as Elvis turns 75, celebrity worship is alive and well

ALL THE LATEST TIGER WOODS NEWS

2009-12-08T23:44:00.004-05:00

LISTEN TO PETER GROSSMAN FROM US WEEKLY ON COOPER'S SHOW AS HE GIVES YOU ALL THE LATEST TIGER WOODS NEWS

Cooper Comments for E!

2009-12-01T21:21:00.007-05:00

Cooper comments for E!

..."Narcissists really don't care that much what the other person in a relationship feels," says Cooper Lawrence, a psychologist who counsels celebrities. "Everything they do is in service to their own needs."

How does marriage fit into a narcissist's plans, then?

Getting married is fun, fool!

You get to dress up, and people look at you—all day long! For a narcissist, it may feel good to marry someone, and then it can also feel pretty good several moments later to have sex with someone outside the marriage, and we've already determined that narcissists tend to live moment to moment. Also, Lawrence says, "They may marry because they're in a profession where it makes them look better. Or maybe they want kids and don't believe in having kids out of wedlock. At least there's always someone there who can service your needs. Put it this way, why not get married?"

FOR FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE!

Cooper Quoted on Perez Hilton!

2009-11-11T22:01:00.007-05:00

Image: PR Photos

The always fabulous Perez Hilton quotes Cooper!

Click here to read entire story!

Chris Brown, Rihanna Videos To Premiere On Same Day

2009-11-10T20:24:00.007-05:00

(CNN)-Chris Brown and Rihanna's careers will go head to head again on Friday, when the pair release music videos on the same day...

According to psychologist Cooper Lawrence, author of "The Cult of Celebrity," though the media has painted him as the villain, fans will continue to rally around Chris Brown as long as he keeps doing what he is doing: publicly apologizing, remaining in the spotlight, touring and making music.

"True fandom is something like a cult that brainwashes you where you are unwilling to see the reality of the person you admire," Lawrence said. "His fans will keep buying his albums because they want to feel like they are helping him. Supporting him through this tough time makes fans feel like they are a part of Brown's inner circle."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE CNN ARTICLE

Leona Lewis and Lou Al-Chamaa: Why It's Good for Stars to Date Regular People

2009-10-27T22:07:00.010-04:00

Cooper Tells

Why it's Good for Stars like Leona Lewis to Date Regular People

Is Tom Cruise Having the Worst Week Ever?

2009-10-23T18:07:00.008-04:00

IS TOM CRUISE HAVING THE WORST WEEK EVER?

READ WHAT COOPER IS SAYING!

Meghan McCain, Tila Tequila: Twitter BFFs?

2009-10-15T15:29:00.008-04:00

Read why Cooper thinks Meghan McCain and Tila Tequila are BFF's on Twitter

Why Don't Celebs Just Pay Their Taxes?

2009-10-12T23:04:00.004-04:00

Cooper speaks with
About why celebs like Nicholas Cage don't pay their taxe s

WHY DON'T POLITICIANS APOLOGIZE LIKE LETTERMAN?

2009-10-07T09:54:00.006-04:00

COOPER TELLS WHY POLITICIANS DON'T APOLOGIZE LIKE LETTERMAN

Cooper talks about new MTV show "Popzilla"

2009-09-24T16:46:00.007-04:00

Cooper talks with

about the new MTV show that spoofs celebrity

Excuses, Excuses: Do Stars Think We Are Buying Them?

2009-09-23T22:59:00.004-04:00

Check out Cooper commenting in the Popeater.com article:

Excuses, Excuses: Do Stars Think We Are Buying Them?

VIDEO OF MEAT LOAF BEING INTERVIEWED BY COOPER

2009-09-11T23:39:00.007-04:00

Watch as Meat Loaf is being interviewed by Cooper!

Listen to the entire interview from tonight's show!

Ellen DeGeneres Now 4th Judge on A.I.

2009-09-09T23:11:00.007-04:00

US WEEKLY'S PETER GROSSMAN BREAKS THE STORY ON THE COOPER LAWRENCE SHOW

STARS TWEET ABOUT DJ AM's DEATH

2009-08-28T20:19:00.004-04:00

photo source: wenn.com

STARS TWEET ABOUT DJ AM's TRAGIC DEATH:

John Mayer Tweeted: in complete shock

Ashton Kutcher wrote: much love to my boy am

Kelly Osbourne expressed her horror: I just can’t believe Adam is gone, I dont wanna believe I’m in shock. he is one of the most genuine people I’ve met.

Lindsay Lohan Tweets: i can’t believe this , im in shock, why> whiy ? r.i.p adam

Khloe Kardashian wrote: Tell your loved ones you love them every chance you get. You never know when it will be the last time. God bless DJ AM. I love you

And Emmy Rossum said: RIP AM…you were love and respected and will be missed

DJ AM PASSES AWAY

2009-08-28T20:13:00.005-04:00

BREAKING NEWS: DJ AM DIES OF APPARENT DRUG OVERDOSE

EXCLUSIVE HEIDI AND SPENCER INTERVIEW

2009-08-12T22:33:00.007-04:00

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HEIDI MONTAG AND SPENCER PRATT!

The Cooper Lawrence Show w/Peter Grossman from US Weekly 8.12.09

Christian Finnegan Brings The Funny

2009-08-10T22:52:00.003-04:00

Listen to Comedian Christian Finnegan as he judges people by the films, books and/or music they love! Trust me it's hilarious.

The Cooper Lawrence Show 8.10.09

Peter Grossman from US Weekly 8.05.09

2009-08-06T16:22:00.004-04:00

Peter Grossman from US Weekly Dishes the Celebrity Dirt on The Cooper Lawrence Show

Listen to Peter Grossman 8.05.09

Alexander Skarsgård Interview

2009-07-30T22:51:00.003-04:00

Check out Cooper interviewing the amazing and talented Alexander Skarsgård from True Blood!

The Cooper Lawrence Show Interview with Alexander Skarsgård

How To Become An American Idol With Constantine Maroulis

2009-05-13T18:33:00.013-04:00

Rock of Ages is a new Broadway show that has already garnered five Tony nominations including Best Musical and a nod for Constantine Maroulis as Best Leading Actor in a Musical. If you are not sure why you know that name I will remind you. Constantine Maroulis, was a 2005 finalist on American Idol. He earned a degree at the prestigious Boston Conservatory and then, he says,“I went back to New York, where I am from, and was lucky enough to land a role in the touring company of [the musical] Rent. So I went out on the road with Rent playing the lead role. At the time I also had a band and I was just hustling.”

Constantine was working so hard out on the road that while he knew of American Idol, he had not actually seen the show. It was a former girlfriend who encouraged him to audition. He approached that audition not as if it would be his ticket to instant stardom, but the way he did any other gig a working performer might try out for. “I approached it like it was every other audition,” he says. Viewers don’t see how the stars have struggled: They see the glamorous end result—and they want that. The illusion is that celebrity is an easy, luxurious life where you feel special all the time—and that is just the kind of thing that many emerging adults have grown up believing they need and deserve.

Constantine Maroulis, with an insider’s point of view says that the major benefit to a singer’s career from appearing on American Idol is that a record label might look at a contestant and think, “maybe they didn’t win but they’ve been on TV and millions of people do like them and have been voting for them . . . and wow, it’s a great training program. They are a better performer, they’re seasoned already—what most people go through in 30 years they’ve gone through in 30 days.”

But future success depends on putting in the effort. Maroulis says, “I grew up in the theater so I understand the progression and the hard work involved and am not afraid to do what it takes to work my way up, like from ensemble to leading role when you are a Broadway guy . . . it’s a blue collar mentality. It’s about the job and not the bullshit. Millions of actors are not working and there are plenty of singers who have no record deals.”

When I asked Maroulis if he has any advice for young people who want to become stars, branding is definitely on the top of his list. “Even with the record companies, it’s not about selling just a record,” he says. “It’s about merchandise, ringtones, etc—they supplement lack of record sales with other things. The music industry is not what it used to be. Look at Justin Timberlake. His records sell, but compared to [his former band] ’N Sync, he doesn’t make that same astronomical amount he used to, so he has his clothing line and restaurants.”

Why Robert Pattinson Is An Icon

2009-05-07T20:48:00.021-04:00

asked me why I thought superstar and heartthrob Robert Pattinson is such an icon to young women. Check it out!

TV Can Be Good For You!

2009-04-29T22:01:00.011-04:00

My friend Jill Dobson from Fox News had me in today to discuss an interesting new study.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, has found that watching TV can drive away feelings of loneliness and rejection. The researchers did four studies that suggest watching TV provides viewers with the illusion that their social needs are being met. Psychologist call this the “Illusion Of Intimacy” (and I explain it at length in my book plug plug ha!)

But seriously, it’s a real thing. When experiencing this illusion, you feel that you truly know the person talking to you in your living room from the TV. Then when you seek out more information on them like who they are dating or what kinds of activities they’re into, you feel an even greater bond. But the intimacy is an illusion, you don’t really KNOW that person, it just feels like you do.

The AP reports:

"The first study found that subjects felt less lonely when viewing their favorite TV shows. Study 2 found that subjects whose 'belongingness needs were aroused' wrote longer essays about their favored TV programs. The third study found that thinking about favored TV programs buffered subjects against drops in self-esteem, increases in negative mood and feelings of rejection. And Study 4 found that subjects verbally expressed fewer feelings of loneliness after writing essays about their preferred TV programs."

So why would someone feel “belonging”? Well, many of the shows that we are talking about here like Sex and The City, Grey’s Anatomy, and LOST have a huge following. This of course means tons of websites, blogs and chat rooms so in turn the person does feel a sense of belonging, even if they don’t directly participate in any of the web stuff. LOST is a great example of how a TV show can become so much more than just a TV show, and how it's followers can become part of something bigger; almost like a cool pop culture cult.

Other research has shown that it depends upon who you are. If you are someone who feels that the world is unfair and unjust you will be more likely to connect with shows about law and fairness where justice is done and all wrapped up by the end of the episode like CSI and Law & Order. Researchers concluded that a viewer's fictional bond with TV characters can help ease their need to connect with others. But they do caution that bonding with TV characters rather than real people, even if you are socially anxious, can harm you in the long run because it is important to have people in your life who can really be there for you when you need. While TV characters may make you feel as though you belong–when you have real issues it is only a friend, even just one, who can give you the support you truly need.

Turning on Susan Boyle

2009-04-24T23:10:00.010-04:00

NBC is now talking about bringing Britain's Got Talent's unlikely media sensation-ugly-duckling-Susan Boyle, to America's Got Talent.

But what they don't realize is that America is already rejecting her. Tonight I am on HLN's Showbiz Tonight talking about how we've already turned on her. The pop culture machine conveyor belt is running real fast on this one.

Although her stardom can be measured by where in the media she has been talked about. Well, Showbiz Tonight, obviously, but South Park already has mocked her--Jay Leno talks about her in his monologue and she has been made fun of on The Soup. This is superstar status for sure, congrats Susan B! You're somebody.

But like all diva celebrities, we have to tear you down after we have built you up. Beware the fall of Susan Boyle. Since we found out that she lied about never being kissed we feel betrayed. We wanted her to be the pathetic, sad character out of a Charles Dickens' novel; not the real human being she is. We romanticize her as an untouched innocent who somehow hid from the world until now. It's the perfect movie plot line.

Then she did the unthinkable. Despite all of the surveys taken to ask what we wanted for her, she defied us by having a make over with a $20 hair cut and a $40 leather jacket. Now we are quick to dismiss her singing ability, feeling betrayed and yearning for her homely sad image.

Poor Susan cannot win. She was chastised for looking like a lonely curmudgeon, and now that she is trying to spruce herself up, there is Boyle backlash. My theory is that we project all of our hopes and dreams onto someone who reminds us of ourselves. So few of us look like Angelina...ok none of us look like Angelina! But you get my point, that Susan Boyle represents us and we want her to succeed where we can't. Yet the minute anything about her is a lie she is no longer us anymore. She becomes part of the machine that is deceiving us making her more like Angelina than we thought. Thus goes the Cult of Celebrity.

What has happened to the pop culture machine? Why can't we pay attention to one thing for more than a millisecond and not have to topple someone off of a pedestal that they aren't even on yet?

Susan Boyle has not even won Britain's Got Talent and we are already giving her the full Lohan.

The Cult Of Celebrity Part 6: Why Do We Worship Celebrity?

2009-04-12T23:50:00.010-04:00

We have no way of knowing whether celebrities’ lives are really as peachy as they seem so why do we worship them?

Like the rest of us, they probably have good days and bad days, concerns and anxieties. There is one desirable thing that we have a whole lot more of than celebrities: privacy. And if the media coverage is any indication, there is one thing they seem to have a lot more of that we don’t want: substance abuse problems, stalkers, affairs and rumors.

But even if our perception of stars as being better than us and having more of the good things in life is partly fantasy, this only heightens celebrities’ mystique and pushes their pedestal higher and higher into the clouds. And after all, perceptions are everything in celeb-land.

It’s tempting to think that celebrities have some inherent quality that makes us worship and adore them, some special power. The name sometimes given to that notion is charisma. Max Weber, one of the founders of modern sociology, defined charisma as “a certain quality of an individual personality by virtue of which he is considered extraordinary and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities.” Celebrities have that.

So, can the explosion in our celebrity worshiping in the past few decades be the result simply of an excess of charismatic individuals? I think it’s highly unlikely, when you consider that celebrities can now be hatched from lives in which any “exceptional powers or qualities” were seemingly nonexistent—think Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie or any now defunct reality TV star. Newer sources of fame such as reality TV have perhaps shown that the kind of charismatic aura Weber described is not necessarily inherent in stars, but is something that we can gradually come to see in them.

A small percentage of celebrity worshipers are motivated by the belief that they have an intense connection with their favorite celebrity. They believe that if they met their favorite celebrity, the star would understand them and perhaps be their friend, or that their favorite celebrity is truly their soul mate. To get an idea of this type of celebrity worshiper, think of the film Notting Hill. When Anna, a famous Hollywood actress (played by Julia Roberts), and Honey, the sister of Anna’s new paramour (Hugh Grant), meet for the first time, Honey gushes about how much she adores the actress and how beautiful she is, and says, “I genuinely believe and have believed for some time now that we can be best friends.”

According to studies, this type of celebrity worshiper tends to be higher in the trait neuroticism. These are the worriers of the world—those who tend to be nervous and on the high-strung side, and possibly feel insecure. On the flip side, celebrity worshippers have also been found to be higher in narcissism, a personality disorder characterized by a grandiose sense of self, an inflated sense of superiority over others, lack of empathy, and an excessive need to be admired. You may have heard the phrase “sense of entitlement”—well, yes, that too is one of the characteristics of a narcissistic personality. It may sound counter intuitive that someone so into themselves who cares very little about others would worship celebrities, but according to the researchers Ashe, Maltby and McCutcheon, narcissists oscillate between feeling disdain for others and over-idealizing them, which is easy to do with a celebrity. And narcissists like to be domineering in all social situations, so for a narcissist is there a better role model than a scene-stealing celebrity?

Even the term “worship” needs to be acknowledged. Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Th.D., professor of theology at Fordham University cautions, “The celebrity and your familiarity with them is not enough. What about their life matters to you, and what images are you being offered that have real staying power for you?” she says. “The lives of the holy ones are lives whose persuasiveness survives. There is a reason that after 2000 years Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed still endure.” Regarding celebrities, she asks, “Are these lives that last?”

Philosopher John Hick says that what all religious traditions have in common is that they offer us a way to turn away from our self-centeredness to God, or other-centeredness, and a way to lead lives that are more authentic and full—while celebrity worship encourages us to be self-centered. Do we really need help being any more self-centered than we already are? Media images have the power to shape us, as do religious figures. The question is; how do we want to be shaped?

Dr. Fletcher believes that everyone, whether they are religious are not, has an ultimate concern that drives their life. Ask yourself what your ultimate concern is. Fame? Popularity? Or something deeper and more long lasting.

Harvey Goes To Washington

2009-04-02T21:04:00.009-04:00

Today, I was interviewed by Reuters about the fact that TMZ, the ultimate celebrity news website, has opened an office in Washington D.C. What does this mean for our country and how we see politics and politicians? Read the article and find out!

Tori Spelling and Why Money Sucks

2009-03-29T15:59:00.010-04:00

The first rule is--ridicule or harsh words are forbidden on my radio show when discussing Tori Spelling, or as I call her, “my Tori.” I love her so much that I almost flew out to her Studio City, California, home when she had her public yard sale—until I learned that she doesn’t wear a size 7 shoe (my size) and I figured: What’s the point, it was her shoe collection I was after.

One time on the show actor Zachary Quinto came on to discuss his television series Heroes, but all I wanted to know about was Tori, since he played her best friend on her sitcom, So noTORIous and I know that they are friends in real life. I love Tori like a gay man loves . . . well . . . Tori, I suppose. I have never met her; probably never will, and I suspect that in real life she would not be seen with the likes of me—yet I defend her to the death. You are not allowed to say anything negative about my Tori. You can imagine how thrilled I was when Tori let us into her life with her reality show Tori & Dean Inn Love. Now I know private details that I may have missed otherwise. Well, here is the latest on the Spelling clan........

On the radio show the other night we talked about the Spelling mansion (as in Aaron and my Tori) being up for sale for a mere $150 million. If you read Tori's book, sTORI Telling, you know that Tori feels no love loss for that house and it appears to hold only difficult memories of what seems to be blatant emotional abuse inflicted upon her by her mother, Candy Spelling.

Now, I realize that this account is Tori's side of the story but after seeing Candy on 20/20 Friday night, you tend to believe Tori's characterization of a manipulative, cold, narcissistic (there's that word again) mother. Just to be clear, I don't believe that money is the cause for the riff in their bond but the vehicle by which Candy used to manipulate my Tori. I also want to point out that her upbringing has undertones of a complex mother-daughter relationship that many people can relate to. Although with her own book about to come out, the 20/20 interview reads as just another self-serving act by a selfish manipulative individual. Candy tells People Magazine:

"I don't see Tori and Dean anymore...I used to see Liam, but no longer. And I've never met Stella." She goes on to say that "she's not sure why Tori is angry with her" which is typical of a mother in denial.

She told 20/20 that she never read Tori's book. Her friends read it and told her not to, that it would be too hurtful. DENIAL. Any mother who wants to have a relationship with her daughter badly enough would want to hear all of those hurtful things in order to change them. It's Tori's side, and right or wrong, it's how she feels and that is all that matters. She also claims that she doesn't know where Tori and Dean live. With all of that money she could hire someone to find out. Or better yet use all of those multi millions Aaron left you for therapy to salvage what is left of your family. It's just another example of how damaging and dangerous having too much money can be. We look at celebrities and think its all so glamorous, and sure Tori did spend $50,000 once at Dolce & Gabana but I bet she would trade that corset dress for a warmer more loving mother, and I bet she would turn in her Balenciaga bag for one iota of support, and my guess is that her Rolodex of memories isn't half as comforting or as special as your parents made sure yours would be.

David Cook, Narcissism and his Fans

2009-03-24T16:37:00.011-04:00

David Cook's latest post on his MySpace page is as insulting as it is arrogant. He spends one sentence thanking the audience for an “amazing vibe” but spends the rest chastising them like a parent correcting an errant child:

“I have to address some behavior that has become disturbing. We pride ourselves on being accessible to you as fans, but in contrast, we do enjoy what little privacy we can muster. To that end, the efforts by some fans to find our hotel rooms, call our hotel rooms, attach things to our bus, etc., is something I have to condemn. This relationship only works when it remains healthy for both parties, and should this behavior continue, the only thing we can do is take more preventative measures to maintain our privacy, which in turn makes us less accessible to you.”

He goes on to state:

"I hope this doesn't come off as harsh. I merely want to nip this in the bud so we can continue to have a great experience with all of you at the shows we have coming up. Take care and see you at the next show."

Is he kidding? Didn't we vote for him on American Idol? Doesn't that make us his fans? For all of that, this is how he thanks us?

Fine, you want something "healthy for both parties" you give me half your salary and I will do whatever you want. In this horrible economy we spend our hard earned, soon to be heavily taxed, money on your music and you are going to tell us how we should behave towards you? You are the trained monkey here, not us.

Can you imagine the backlash if George Clooney or Brad Pitt ever had the gall to say such things? No? You can’t, because they never would.
They aren't that narcissistic and/or arrogant. They appreciate that if it weren't for fans there wouldn't be no them--which is even more true for an American Idol star. Our votes got you a career!

For my book The Cult of Celebrity, I interviewed Ereka Vetrini (a contestant on the first season of The Apprentice, and Tony Danza’s sidekick for the first season of The Tony Danza Show). She told me that sudden fame feels like this:

“For a while I made the most of it. I went to the parties, got the VIP treatment, and walked the red carpet, but I remember feeling like a phony. What was I ‘famous’ for?” After it all faded—as it always does—she remembered who she was and where she came from, and realized, “I take pride in working hard and being good at what I do. I was not good at being famous just for being famous.”

Dr. Drew Pinsky published a study last year that points out that the highest rate of narcissism occurs in reality TV show stars. They ranked higher than comics, actors, and musicians (real ones like Billy Joel and Mick Jagger, not American Idol contestants).

David Cook doesn't come across like a guy who cannot handle fame or a guy who is overwhelmed by his enormous bank account or for that matter by his access to anything and everything he could possibly want. He comes across like an egotistical jackass who doesn't want to be bothered by the very people who made him who he is.

When and if Cook gets dropped from his record label like Clay Aiken, or Rod Stewart have, let’s see if he is as quick to tell his fans how to like him and what is acceptable fan behavior. Most narcissists who lose their edge will crash to earth because they have no idea what to do or how to handle their sudden failure. They have no coping skills, and baby, it's gonna be a hard fall if this is your attitude when things are good.

The Showmance

2009-03-19T11:32:00.011-04:00

US Weekly is reporting that LeAnn Rimes' husband is standing by his woman, tweeting: "I Love My Wife" after reports that she is having a torrid affair with actor Eddie Cibrian. Editor Peter Grossman from US Weekly was on my radio show where he broke the story that the couple were videotaped holding hands and kissing on a romantic dinner date at a restaurant in Laguna Beach. US has the footage on their website, they also have the restaurant receipt from dinner.........but wait there's more...............Peter told us that Rimes was seen leaving therapy carrying a pro-divorce book before heading to a hotel for a 3 hour tryst with Cibrian. After which Cibrian was photographed speeding away from the illicit rendezvous chewing a stick of gum.

So, how does this happen? It's a classic Showmance. Reports are that Rimes and Cibrian started their affair on the set of their upcoming Lifetime flick, "Northern Lights". We always hear celebrities describe the cast and crew of their TV show or film set as “like a family”. Well, you may be like a family but it’s a weird incestuous one when you start dating the guy playing your brother. However, when you spend most of your day on a TV or movie set how could you not carry it over into your personal life, especially if there’s a benefit to your career? Mr. and Mrs. Smith became a much more intriguing film when rumors began to fly that Brad and Angelina were real life lovers, especially since he was still married to Jennifer Anniston.

Regular people meet at work all the time, the difference is, we tend to have the same job for several years as opposed to celebrities who after a film shoot ends or a show gets canceled find another “family”. The Showmance can be real or it can be the mirage of a real relationship, for the benefit of the press. There are the actors who hook up for a short period, i.e. long enough to promote a movie they both star in. There are the stars who are trading up: B-listers borrowing a little of their partner’s A-list dazzle. While these relationships remain mutually beneficial the couple stays together, but as soon as the front is no longer necessary, the relationship fades away.

At first, you might think the showmance doesn’t exist in the real world but look at the trophy wife phenomenon, or any of the other relationships people enter into simply for social status or financial security—or even, to this day, marriages to cover up homosexuality or gender identity issues. Celebrity showmances meet their demise when they have performed their PR function, and from this we can take a lesson for our own lives: Relationships based not on genuine affection and shared goals, but rather on prestige and make-believe have no solid foundation.

They’re simply not built to last.

My Interview with Rosie O'Donnell

2009-02-27T13:58:00.003-05:00

I was nervous about talking to Rosie O'Donnell on my radio show last night--- and not just regular nervous, but boob sweat nervous--- for two reasons.

One, she is such a large personality who I admire and while I am not easily intimated, in this case I was. Both in that I admired her, but also because she is bigger than anyone else I have ever interviewed, and that is saying a lot considering that I have spoken to some heavy hitters.

The second reason is that I had heard so many stories of her lashing out at people for no reason, and I was afraid that she wouldn't be nice to me, but I was wrong, they were just unfounded stories. She was LOVELY. She was interesting. She was open, smart, disarming, funny (of course) and eminently approachable and the experience was all that I could have hope for.

Take a listen!

Excerpts from my new book The Cult of Celebrity, Part 5

2009-02-24T00:20:00.009-05:00

Most market researchers agree that celebrity is a powerful selling tool—not only for teens and children but for consumers of all ages. Advertisers aim to make a psychological connection between the product and a celebrity, to create what is called a “human brand.” According to a study published by the American Marketing Association in 2006, we have a very strong attachment to human brands because early in life we learn to attach ourselves to humans. It is deeply embedded in us that human faces elicit emotional responses. We also learn to attend to the wants of other humans whom we trust, listen to what they tell us, and trust that what they say is true.

As we grow, the same psychological process causes us to generalize to trusting celebrities when they tell us that we should buy brand A or brand B. Some research has also shown that a celebrity-endorsed product has a higher product recall rate, meaning you tend to remember a product in an ad better when a celebrity has lent his or her face and name to it. Thanks to researchers Richard Petty and John Cacioppo, we know more about consumer psychology than ever before. They have a theory that says there are two ways we make up our minds about which products to buy.

First, there is practical decision making based on diligent consideration and weighing the true merits of the available products. For example, you don’t just buy a car based on how cute Lindsay Lohan looked crashing hers. You do some real investigation; you decide what your needs are, which car gets the best gas mileage, and which fits into your price range.

The second way we can choose a product is based on whether the product is associated with either a positive or a negative cue; that is, whether it gives us a good or a bad feeling. In this situation, you may buy a particular lipstick because you like the celebrity who endorses it or because it looks cute on Kelly Ripa. It is this second type of decision making that companies bank on—literally—when they hire a popular celebrity to be their spokesperson.

According to Michael Kamins, PhD of the University of Southern California, when a company chooses to use a celebrity in an advertisement, rather than an expert or an ordinary person, there is a science to choosing which celebrity to use. An ad agency must consider the celebrity’s social risk: Is he rumored to be gay? Has she been divorced too many times? Is he a known drug addict? Another aspect to consider is the celebrity’s level of exposure. Is this a celebrity who has too many endorsement deals that will conflict with the product or confuse the consumer? Or is it a celebrity who is already too much of a“brand”? Does she come with an image that is hard to change, an image that is larger than life—or in this case, larger than the product’s image? The demographic appropriateness of the star is crucial, too.In other words, who is it that the company is marketing to, and which celebrities do those people like? Shakira might be the perfect person if a company is selling a new lipstick to Latina women, but maybe she’s not such a great choice for the Jazzy Power Chair.

Of course recognizability is vital. On a billboard you don’t have time to explain that the guy holding the cola bottle played the guy who got killed in the second episode of Heroes, so it has to be someone who people can quickly identify. For a celebrity ad to work, you have to be able to look at it and immediately say, for instance, “Oh, that’s Beyonce in that [fill in the blank] ad—got it.” And marketers want a celebrity who is attractive, likable, popular, and most important, honest.

Excerpts from my new book The Cult of Celebrity, Part 4

2009-02-19T14:15:00.005-05:00

Actor, author, and musician Stephen Collins from 7th Heaven dishes on a certain JT lover he knows....

“I’ve known and worked with countless huge stars and found that they can pretty much all be divided into two groups: those who—at least subconsciously—desperately need the ego gratification that comes from being noticed wherever they go, and those who get over themselves and move quietly through the world attracting little attention. It’s a conscious decision that one has to make.”

Collins goes on to recall:

“I worked with Robert Redford when he was pretty much at the height of his fame. He just walked down Fifth Avenue in New York, and there’s something about him that says, ‘Yeah, it’s me. No big deal. You don’t have to make a fuss.’ No bodyguards, no entourage. And people left him alone. I’ve known others, who shall remain nameless, who just seemed to invite people to notice them and make a fuss. I mean, if you walk around the streets of Manhattan with a phalanx of bodyguards, as I once saw a big star do—six bodyguards surrounding him—people wonder who the hell it is and need to know, to see more, to get closer.”

Excerpts from my new book The Cult of Celebrity, Part 3

2009-02-13T00:14:00.002-05:00

Recently I was shopping at a cosmetics counter at a local high end department store. Makeup artist Carmindy from TLC’s What Not To Wear had been a guest on my radio show again and had suggested a particular eye pencil; I was there to see if I needed it (I did). I noticed a woman shopping next to me who had brought with her a page she had ripped out of a magazine, a Revlon ad featuring Halle Berry. Now, I don’t need to remind you that Revlon isn’t sold at high-end department stores, and as far as I know they do not have makeup counters, so I think this woman missed the point of the ad. Yet there she was rubbing each tester of eyeshadow on the back of her hand and holding it up to the picture, trying to match Berry’s color with the higher-end cosmetic. I could see the thought balloon over her head saying: “Revlon can’t have better colors than this expensive brand, it must be here.” She looked pensively at Berry, as if it were her fault.

Is it so surprising that she didn’t trust the ad? As carried away as you might get by her alluring image, you know that a team of professionals put Halle together for that ad. Presumably they used Revlon products, but they also had the benefit of the best studio lighting, an army of makeup artists and stylists, an art director, one of the finest professional photographers in the business, and every celebrity’s friend—someone skilled in the art of Photoshop to smooth out even the tiniest blemish or imperfection. And let’s not forget, they had Berry’s amazing face to use as a canvas. When you stop and think about it, you know that you aren’t really going to look like Halle Berry if you buy that particular brand of eye shadow.

Perhaps there is no better illustration of the truth behind the celebrity-ad facade than Penelope Cruz’s 2007 advertisements for a L’Oreal mascara that claimed to make eyelashes look 60 percent longer. The ad zoomed in on her batting the kind of beautiful long,glossy eyelashes we’ve all stood in front of the mirror and wished for at some point in our lives. But before you rush out and buy yourself this magical cosmetic hoping to be transformed into a Cruz look-alike, literally with the wave of mini wand, you might be interested to know that in Britain the Advertising Standards Authority found that the ads were misleading because no where did they state that Cruz was wearing . . . false eyelashes. In response to the complaints, L’Oreal said that using fake eyelashes in ads was “common industry practice.” Oh, well, that makes me feel so much better.

Chris Brown and Rihanna: WHY IT HAPPENED

2009-02-11T11:44:00.006-05:00

It's hard to imagine that anyone would want to physically harm someone as beautiful, successful, and likeable as Rihanna, or that she would suffer an abusive relationship quietly. But we are learning more of the details of her attack as she is now fully cooperating with police.

We know that last Saturday night Chris Brown and Rihanna began to argue in the front seat of his rented silver Lamborghini. But what we did not know is that as the fight escalated, Rihanna threw Brown's keys out of the car window enraging him until he began to choke his girlfriend screaming, "I'm going to kill you!" At which point Rihanna lost consciousness.

Understandably, the incident is having an emotional impact as well as an impact on her career. People Magazine is reporting that Rihanna has canceled upcoming concerts openly citing "an assault case" involving singer Chris Brown.

This case is shocking, but it has left some wondering, how common is this?

According to a study published just this year in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, despite everything we currently know about domestic violence it, "remains disturbingly common in the United States" and further, "roughly a quarter of women in the United States will experience physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their adult lives". The Mayo Clinic reports that as many as 4 million women suffer abuse from their husbands, ex-husbands, boyfriends or intimate partners in the United States each year.

As details emerge about the case and about Chris Brown's abusive past, the picture becomes clearer where he would learn such behavior. In a 2007 interview with GIANT magazine, Brown talks about the abuse his mother suffered at the hands of her husband, his stepfather.

"He used to hit my mom. … He made me terrified all the time,” Brown claimed. “I remember one night he made her nose bleed. I was crying and thinking, ‘I’m just gonna go crazy on him one day. …’ I hate him to this day.”

He goes on to explain the cause of his stepfather's aggression and possible depression stating that his stepfather attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head. The shot went straight through the eyes yet he survived the suicide attempt, and was permanently blinded.

But the question remains...why? How can Chris Brown-- in all of his success-- do this to such a lovely young lady?

The journal Violence Against Women explains that dating violence tends to happen to those with higher levels of depression, who have suicidal thoughts, and who are less educated. The use of alcohol while depressed can complicated things further. This explains Chris' stepfather for sure, but does it explain Brown's abuse of his girlfriend Rihanna?

Abuse is about wanting to instill fear and take over control of the relationship. It's how some men gain power over their significant other. But where does it come from?

Dr. Rowell Huesmann and his colleagues at the University of Michigan have extensively researched the Chris Browns of the world. What they found, is that severe violent behavior is almost always the product of a child being regularly exposed to violence in their immediate environment.

Short term violence is one thing, but Dr. Huesmann says that the long-term effects of exposure to real-life violence are learned-- that-- coupled with "emotional desensitization" can be a toxic mix. (Source: The Cambridge handbook of violent behavior and aggression)

By the same token, women who suffer violence have most likely learned that as well. We don't know yet why Rihanna would allow this to happen to her, but it likely starts with low self-worth and the belief that she doesn't deserve to be treated better. The fact that Chris Brown learned how to treat women at home is not an excuse for what he's done because there is even more evidence that those with such backgrounds who seek help can unlearn that behavior and go on to have healthy relationships. The only upside here is that this horrific incident has opened up the discussion regarding domestic violence and I suspect that Rihanna's next move could save lives.

Where to find help

Nobody deserves to be abused, if you or someone you know is suffering- here are some helpful resources:

-National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE, or (800) 799-7233. Provides crisis intervention and referrals to in-state or out-of-state resources, such as women's shelters or crisis centers.

-Your doctor or hospital emergency room. Treats any injuries and refers you to safe housing and other local resources.

-Local women's shelter or crisis center. Typically provides 24-hour, emergency shelter for you and your children, advice on legal matters, advocacy and support services, and evaluation and monitoring of abusers.

Excerpts from my new book The Cult of Celebrity, Part 2

2009-02-09T12:45:00.009-05:00

Early in his career, Michael Jackson's peeps hired fake fans to make him look popular. One of the music industry's tried-and-true techniques is to have a would-be celebrity simply adopt the mantle of a star. Behave like a star, think like a star, and create an atmosphere of glamour and importance around you, and you just might convince enough people you are a star. This tool has been used to great effect in the music industry.

Darryll Brooks, a promoter and artist manager, has been a big part of the music machine since the early 1970s, managing the careers and promoting the live shows of acts such as Prince, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Ray Parker, Parliament-Funkadelic, Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, Kid n’Play, and Mya. He says that early in Michael's career they did what they could to make him look like more than he was....

“The Jacksons were doing a pictorial for Ebony magazine, and they hired kids to create a hysteria and appear to be fans running after them, to bring out the look of folks running after the star. Readers didn’t know it was staged.”

Music insiders also hired fake fans to rush the stage as they were arriving at concerts. Brooks says, "It was to hype the image.”

Excerpts From My New Book Cult of Celebrity Part 1

2009-02-06T17:49:00.006-05:00

For my book, The Cult Of Celebrity: What Our Fascination With The Stars Reveals About Us , I had a really cool talk with Barbara Skydel (of the William Morris Agency), to find out how to be successful in the music business (for you of course, not for me, I'm tone deaf).

Just some background, Barbara Skydel is a legend in the industry, she has signed everyone from U2, the Who, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, to Journey, Roger Waters, the Pretenders, Bon Jovi, and Van Halen. She told me how it was when they first met U2:

“We signed them before the first record was out. We heard the music and said, ‘This is fantastic.’.. . Sometimes you hear something and you just know."

Well who wouldn’t know? Take one look into Bono’s sultry blue eyes and how could you not hand him a contract, the keys to your summerhouse, and the rights to father your firstborn? Barbara said, no, she never saw Bono, only heard the demo.

She tells me, "It was the music. We heard the music before we saw what they looked like. We didn’t even know what they looked like..... The truth is, that all started with MTV—how you looked became important—but before MTV, artists were creating something that a lot of those MTV acts couldn’t duplicate on stage.”

Growing up as I have in a pop-culture, celebrity-driven, looks-oriented world, I cannot imagine the freedom that musicians must have felt when it didn’t matter what they looked like. Skydel tells me,

“The first time I saw the Jefferson Airplane, they didn’t even face the audience! They played with their backs to the crowd, they were dressed in the clothes that they woke up in that morning, and it didn’t matter what people looked like. You didn’t have to have your teeth fixed, your hair colored, or whatever you do now. The only thing that mattered was your songwriting ability and your performing ability. When MTV came in, it really changed all that."

"American Idol is just a quicker way to get there, but if a person’s got the goods it depends on their own limitations, how far they can go with it, what is the marketplace, and who’s behind them.” And if they don’t have real talent and are instead created by the AI machine, with nothing substantial to back it up, they "might not have a long shelf life."

Talking about Fame and Jessica Simpson

2009-02-05T01:53:00.010-05:00

I talk with the

about fame and Jessica Simpson's latest battle with the press.

"THE CULT OF CELEBRITY" FEATURED ON PAGE SIX!!!

2009-02-05T00:30:00.033-05:00

'PRETTY BIG BLUNDER ON JULIA'

January 31, 2009 --

JULIA Roberts ended up a "Pretty Woman," but the star was labeled "too trailer park" when she was first starting out. That's one of many revelations in the new book "The Cult of Celebrity," in which author Cooper Lawrence dishes dirt on the early days of some of the world's most glamorous boldfaces.

Celebrity agent Robert Attermann told Lawrence his Abrams Artists Agency made the mistake of not signing Roberts: "Julia Roberts came in years ago, and the commercial agent who met with her at the time said, 'Nah, she's too trailer park.' As a matter of fact, when we moved offices, we were going through old rejection files, and in there was Annette Bening, Robin Givens, Julia Roberts and a couple of others."

Lawrence also dishes on the diva behavior of music icons like David Bowie, Janet Jackson and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Publicist Susan Blond told the author that Diddy once wanted a seat at a Versace fashion show. Blond related: "He said if we didn't get him in, we would be fired. We called, but it was the middle of this East Coast-West Coast rap war when everyone was being shot. They didn't want [any rappers there] and we were fired the next day."

Janet Jackson put pressure on Blond as well. "When I met with Janet, she'd say, 'I just want to be in the columns,' and she wanted 60 [mentions] in the columns," Blond recalled. "She just wanted to keep hot, and that's what she wanted - to just keep that name on Page Six."

Even Bowie needed to do some aggressive p.r. when he first hit the scene. Singer-songwriter Edwin McCain told Lawrence, "When Bowie and his manager came to New York, they were riding around in a limo wearing furs, staying at the Waldorf, creating the image that he was a star, even though they were flat broke. It was a 'fake-it-till-you-make-it' mentality."

What You'll See Here

2009-01-24T13:22:00.006-05:00

My name is Cooper Lawrence and the goal of this blog is not just to tell you the what, where and when of celebrity news, but the why. Everyday, across all forms of media, we are bombarded by celebrity gossip and news. Yet these stories rarely shine any light on what really drives celebrities to their unique highs and lows.

In researching my latest book, The Cult of Celebrity, I was able to gain new insight on what drives celebs to achieve their fame and how if they're not careful, lose it in a heartbeat.