“I want to be like…”: How celebrities influence teenagers

Celebrities are everywhere in media: on the covers of magazines, in movies and in television. They set trends in fashion and endorse the latest products. Some celebrities have been around for years, on Disney or Nickelodeon, influencing teenagers since they were small. Other celebrities just started to have an influence on young people recently.

“I was influenced by Hannah Montana,” junior Hunter Koch said. “I went to North Chatham, and performed in their talent shows in second and
third grade to a Hannah Montana song. I dressed like a cowgirl, with the cowgirl boots and the hat and everything.”

Junior Maya Shuler was also influenced by Hannah Montana as a child.

“HannahMontana influenced me when I was younger,” Shuler said. “I thought I could sing like her, but I couldn’t. I used to shop at Kohl’s when her clothing line was sold there.”

A different celebrity influenced senior Alex Her.

“I was influenced by Britney Spears,” Her said. “I liked her music and the way that she dressed.

The celebrities who influence people during their childhood don’t always continue to influence them into their teenage years. Values change over time, and so do the celebrities that people once looked up to.

“I’m not influenced by Miley Cyrus now,” Shuler said. “I don’t necessarily think she’s a good influence, but everyone has their own opinion.”

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus has also lost her influence over Koch. “Miley Cyrus doesn’t influence me anymore,” Koch said. “Her values changed. The things that she advertises, and the way that she holds herself are not what I want to be around or do.”

Seventy seven percent of students surveyed by The Omniscient agreed that celebrities influence teenagers in some way. Whether it is music, fashion or movies, we follow the trends celebrities set.

“I think teens are more influenced by the trends that celebrities set than the celebrities themselves,” Her said.

While the majority of students surveyed agreed that celebrities influence teens, only 44 percent said that celebrities in some way influenced them.

“My favorite celebrities are the members of One Direction,” Her said. “I wouldn’t say they influence the music I listen to though; I listen to everything to be honest.”

Thirty seven percent of students said that celebrities influenced the music they listened to, 17 percent of students said celebrities influenced the clothes they wear and 28.9 percent of students said celebrities influence the movies they see.

“My favorite celebrities are probably Kevin Spacey, Jimmy Fallon, and Conan O’Brien,” Koch said. “Kevin Spacey is a wonderful actor, and he brings a wonderful vibe and spirit into his everyday life. Whenever I watch one of his performances, I feel empowered to make someone laugh or evoke a reaction. I’m more likely to see a movie if he’s in it.”

Most students think that celebrity influence can be both a positive and negative thing.

“Celebrity influence is kind of a gray area,” Koch said. “If you consider changing the way people speak, act and dress positive, than yes. If you consider that negative, then it’s negative.”

-By Bailey Miller