Podcast Summary: The Brett Cooper Show - "Do We Care About Celebrities Anymore?" | Episode 3

Release Date: February 6, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 3 of The Brett Cooper Show, titled "Do We Care About Celebrities Anymore?", host Brett Cooper delves into the evolving relationship between society and celebrities. He explores how generational shifts, changes in the media landscape, and cultural trends have transformed our perception and engagement with public figures. Through thoughtful analysis and personal anecdotes, Cooper examines whether the traditional allure of celebrity has diminished in today's interconnected and transparent world.

Changing Perception of Celebrities

Brett Cooper opens the episode by reflecting on his personal disinterest in recent award shows like the Grammys, contrasting his past enthusiasm for such events with his current apathy. He observes a significant shift from revering celebrities for their artistry to viewing them purely as sources of entertainment spectacle.

Brett Cooper [02:30]: "It feels like we're watching someone in the Hunger Games putting on a spectacle, not people we actually respect being honored for their art."

Cooper reminisces about his time in Hollywood as a child actor, where award seasons were a highlight, fostering deep admiration and connection with the artists he admired. However, he now feels disconnected, unable to keep up with new stars and questioning whether this change is due to the evolution of art, his personal growth, or broader societal transformations.

Celebrity Missteps During COVID-19

A pivotal moment highlighted in the episode is the shift towards transparency brought about by social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooper references Cameron Diaz's experience to illustrate how immediate and pervasive public access has altered celebrities' interactions with fans.

Cameron Diaz [04:59]: "If everybody has a camera on their phone and everybody has phones, it's over. Like, it's over."

Cooper discusses how the pandemic intensified this transparency, leading celebrities to share more personal and unfiltered moments. He cites Gal Gadot's ill-received cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" as a case study of failed attempts at relatability. This and similar initiatives by stars like Chrissy Teigen and Madonna were perceived as out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people, resulting in backlash and diminishing their traditional fan bases.

Brett Cooper [09:26]: "This Imagine cover is no heaven."

The episode emphasizes that such attempts to bridge the gap between celebrities and the public often backfired, as audiences felt celebrities were not genuinely understanding or sharing their experiences.

Decline of Traditional Celebrity Influence

Cooper argues that the traditional model of celebrity influence has eroded due to increased transparency and perceived inauthenticity. He references a Vice article from May 2020, which declared the end of the "reign of the relatable celebrity," highlighting how overexposure and the breakdown of the mystique around celebrities led to public disillusionment.

Vice Article [05:00]: "In the past, celebrities were strange, faraway creatures... Now we know too much."

The discussion extends to political endorsements, where Cooper notes that massive celebrity endorsements failed to sway public opinion or election outcomes. He cites Bethenny Frankel’s critique of Kamala Harris' celebrity-backed campaign as evidence that traditional celebrity influence is no longer effective.

Bethenny Frankel [19:02]: "Over 2 billion followers combined... and it did not impact these 150 million American voters in the way that she expected."

Further supporting this view, comedian Tim Dillon is quoted:

Tim Dillon [20:15]: "Celebrities no longer have influence... They are out of touch."

Cooper concludes that the loss of celebrity influence is attributed to a combination of overexposure, lack of genuine relatability, and the rise of alternative forms of influence.

Rise of Influencers and Podcasters

Contrasting the decline of traditional celebrities, Cooper highlights the ascent of influencers and podcasters who have cultivated trust and meaningful relationships with their audiences. Unlike celebrities who attempt broad relatability, influencers build communities based on authenticity and consistent engagement.

He references a 2024 marketing report, the Trust and Influencer Marketing Report, which found that 77% of respondents prefer influencer-created content over traditional advertising, and 85% trust influencer-sponsored posts more than celebrity endorsements. This underscores a paradigm shift where influence is now rooted in perceived authenticity and direct connection rather than fame and visibility.

Brett Cooper [19:50]: "It's crazy when you think about it... that is just shocking."

Podcasters like Joe Rogan and Theo Von exemplify this trend by fostering intimate, trust-based relationships with their listeners, establishing themselves as reliable voices rather than distant public figures. Cooper suggests that this model of influence is more effective and enduring in the current media landscape.

Future of Celebrity and Influencer Landscape

Looking ahead, Cooper posits that traditional celebrities may find renewed success by reverting to focusing solely on their art and maintaining privacy, rather than attempting to cultivate relatability or engage in political discourse. He cites young Hollywood figures like Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet as examples of celebrities who successfully balance fame with personal privacy, thereby maintaining public interest without overexposing their personal lives.

Brett Cooper [22:30]: "Maybe they are learning from what did not work with millennials. They are going to actually stay in their lane."

Cooper envisions a future where the influencer and podcaster model continues to dominate, driven by platforms that prioritize community and trust. However, he also acknowledges the potential volatility of this landscape, citing instances like the TikTok ban and the ever-evolving nature of digital media.

Ultimately, Cooper anticipates that the next generation of celebrities will achieve greater success by focusing on their professional endeavors and preserving a degree of personal privacy, aligning more closely with the preferences of today's audiences.

Conclusion

In this episode, Brett Cooper provides a comprehensive analysis of the shifting dynamics between society and celebrities. He highlights the decline of traditional celebrity influence due to overexposure and a lack of genuine relatability, while concurrently celebrating the rise of influencers and podcasters who embody authenticity and foster deep connections with their audiences. Cooper's insights suggest a future where influence is increasingly decentralized and rooted in trust, marking a significant transformation in how public figures engage with the world.

Notable Quotes

• Brett Cooper [02:30]: "It feels like we're watching someone in the Hunger Games putting on a spectacle, not people we actually respect being honored for their art."

• Cameron Diaz [04:59]: "If everybody has a camera on their phone and everybody has phones, it's over. Like, it's over."

• Brett Cooper [09:26]: "This Imagine cover is no heaven."

• Bethenny Frankel [19:02]: "Over 2 billion followers combined... and it did not impact these 150 million American voters in the way that she expected."

• Tim Dillon [20:15]: "Celebrities no longer have influence... They are out of touch."

• Brett Cooper [19:50]: "It's crazy when you think about it... that is just shocking."

• Brett Cooper [22:30]: "Maybe they are learning from what did not work with millennials. They are going to actually stay in their lane."

Final Thoughts

Brett Cooper's exploration into the waning relevance of traditional celebrities provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of fame and influence. By contrasting the old and new models of celebrity engagement, Cooper not only highlights current trends but also offers predictions on the future trajectory of public influence. For listeners navigating the complexities of modern fame, this episode serves as a thought-provoking guide to understanding and adapting to the changing dynamics of celebrity culture.