Idols, the Celebrities We Love to Hate

Everyone has their idols in life such as their mother, father, or grandparent. But as our world become more and more socialized, celebrities are becoming popular figures we try to emulate. Though it’s easy to forget, let’s remember one thing: Celebrities are real people too. While I may not necessarily agree with the values of some artists like Miley Cyrus, she could be an anchor in someone else’s life, and good for them!

I’ve had a few idols while growing up. The first celeb I identified with was Hilary Duff because of her awkward moments in her hit Disney TV show and passion for singing in later episodes as well as The Lizzie McGuire Movie. When her career starting going towards motherhood, I began to follow Amy Lee, the singer from the punk/rock band Evanescence. While she has great vocals, she sang a bit on the darker side and about events that was above the emotional state of my then, 13-year-old self.

But by the age of 15, I heard this young country artist, who to-date has had all four of her albums be certified at least quadruple platinum. Taylor Swift has a legion of fans throughout the world and I am one of many to be a proud Swiftie.

At the age of 15, I was just starting to get into relationships and little did I know that her lyrics would comfort me as I grew as a person. I often jest that every time a new album from her drops, I break up with my current significant other. While that may be true, I also know that in addition to the support from my family, I have these beautiful lyrics as my constant companion. I used to never be able to describe my emotions through these point of my life, but with Taylor all i need to do is sing words that were written almost as if she saw everything that was happening in my life in real-time.

It also made me realize that these feelings are natural and there is nothing wrong to embrace the pain when someone “calls you up again to break [you] like a promise.” Sometimes the best thing to do is grieve, not for eternity, long enough to remember a little too well the love that was once there.  Even if things have broke and burned in the past, healing is possible as things do  begin again. And that is probably one of the best lessons my idol has taught me.

 

Photo curtsey of author

*Lyric quotes from Taylor Swift’s 2012 studio album RED specifically All Too Well and Begin Again.