We’ve all done it at some point in our lives. The rolling of the eyes, the shaking of the head, or just outright laughter as another celebrity hits rock bottom. Whether it’s a DUI, drug conviction, stint in rehab, cheating spouse and subsequent high profile divorce, there’s something that brings us joy in watching a famous celebrity self destruct and meltdown before our eyes.

“There can be no joy in either being smug over the trials of the rich-and-famous or laughing at their addictions,” said Dr. Patricia A. Farrell, a well-known psychologist and author. “What have we become that we eagerly seek out joy in destruction? Is this just the modern version of ‘bread and circus?’ The frenzy that accompanies the current coverage of celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, female rappers and TV actors is spiraling upward. My concern is that it will result in serious physical and mental harm to these individuals as well as innocent bystanders.”

Journalistic archives or “morgues” are full of the stories of the final moments of the famous. “Many of the stories tell about stars committing suicide and provide graphic detail or how they’ve spiraled into addiction. As I’ve said before, who wouldn’t want to escape from the constant pursuit? Do you think a fox in a fox hunt actually ‘enjoys’ the chase? And what happens at the end of the hunt, just before they go to those elaborate buffets? Does the fox come along and laugh about all the near-misses or stumbles of the horses?

These people hunt for what they believe is ‘sport’ of a type and they’ve recklessly rode over people’s property without consideration of the owner’s rights. They believe they have the right to ‘hunt’ and that no one can deny them that pleasure.

“Now, we have a hunt of a different type and the fox often lives to see another day, but in no better shape, mentally. The hunt also has a tradition where the first hunt for a rider is celebrated by smearing blood on the collar of this rider’s jacket. So, the whole intent is blood sport, not riding. I wonder how the papps celebrate their first ‘kill.’ Entertainment is a part of life that all of us need to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Perhaps it is the war or the present sorry state of the economy,” Dr. Farrell concluded, “but one thing is for sure and that is that things are getting worse, more reckless and the people in the stands watching this chase seem to be giving that ‘thumbs down’ gesture. They don’t seem to want to see a happy ending and that’s not just sad, that’s disturbing.”

Dr. Farrell is the author of “How to Be Your Own Therapist” (Barnes & Noble, 2007, ISBN: 0-7607-9184-8), a licensed psychologist and medical disability consultant. She has appeared on major TV shows such as The Today Show, The View, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper 360 and is quoted in national newspapers, magazines and news services.

As American Idol gets ready for another season, there’s no doubt that Simon Cowell and his brash personality, at times overshadows the singing contestants. Along with the other two American Idol judges (Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul), Simon has brought American Idol into mainstream pop culture and every day water cooler chat.

Simon Cowell has worked in the music industry for 27 years. He started in the post room at EMI Music Publishing. After starting his own label at the age of 23, Simon joined BMG in 1989 and began a relationship that has now lasted for 20 years. During his time at BMG, Simon has sold over 150 million records and has had over 50 number one records. His artists have included Westlife whose first 7 singles all went to No 1 and most recently Il Divo, whose first 2 albums have collectively sold 15 million copies around the world.

Simon first became a household name in England as a judge of the singing competition Pop Idol. When that hit how was brought to the U.S. as American Idol, well the rest is history. He also wrote the book titled, “I Don’t Mean to Be Rude, But…”.  Beyond his role as a judge,  Simon has produced the following reality TV shows Cupid,  American Inventor,  America’s Got Talent, and Celebrity Duets.

When asked about American Idol’s popularity, Cowell answered “No. 1, it’s a great TV show. The second reason is that it only runs once a year so I don’t think the public is bored with it. Thirdly, it’s probably the most realistic reality show I’ve seen on American TV.  There are so many under the banner that have no reality in them. My idea is to make the audience believe that they are looking through the keyhole. That is the true definition of reality TV.”

When asked who his role model is, “I actually really like Donald Trump. I think he’s entertaining. There are so many unhappy billionaires, and he’s a happy one with a great sense of humor. I didn’t think I’d like him. I like people [who] don’t take themselves too seriously.”

So behind the famous Cowell scowl, is a multi-talented entertainer who has the knack for finding winning shows and winning singers.  Some people hate him and think he’s too harsh. But with his long string of successes, my bet is he’ll be around for a long, long time.

Author J.K. Rowling was named “Entertainer of the Year” by Entertainment Weekly. Her success with the “Harry Potter” series of books is staggering.  Revenue from all “Harry Potter related sources is about $15 billion. 400 million books sold worldwide. $4.5 billion in worldwide box office ticket gross sales, for all five of the “Harry Potter” movie films. A truly incredible feat.

What J.K. Rowling has done to drive such strong growth in book reading is undeniable. Children of all ages are hooked on her books.  Far beyond the words she offers in her books, one can find an enriched culture wrapped around “Harry Potter” and the ensemble of lively characters.

What’s next for Rowling? She has a few ideas in mind – one involves children and one for adults. Based on her successful past, whatever comes next will most likely be another hit. Full article

The beautiful Alicia Keys has released her third album, titled “As I Am.” The talented singer-songwriter is interviewed by Entertainment Weekly, and discloses her personal battles and hitting rock bottom.

Alicia has always been a shy, private person. “Ever since I was little, I always felt like if people knew about me, they’d be able to use it against me.”

Her talent is incredible and success has followed closely behind. Keys has 9 Grammys and sold 11.5 CD’s and collaborated with countless industry giants such as Usher, Eve, Bono and Ray Charles. Even with her success, she was depressed, “‘I discovered a lot about myself I didn’t like,” she says. ”I would look in the mirror and I didn’t know who that person was. I didn’t like my eyes; I didn’t like what they said. I couldn’t sleep. I was uncomfortable all the time, and irritated and frustrated.” Full article

She’s made a dynamic leap from European actress to Hollywood superstar – but for Penelope Cruz the sudden rise to fame and fortune hasn’t come without a price.

“The most difficult thing in the world is to start a career known only for your looks, and then to try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you are known as the pretty woman.”

The exquisitely beautiful Spanish star was romantically involved with Tom Cruise, but was accused of breaking up his marriage with Nicole Kidman. Their relationship ended after nearly four years.

“I am amazed about how everyone wants to know about my love life. They whisper to me, ‘Tell me the truth? Is it true?’ Who cares? Because we have this job, we are to say to everybody what we do, or with whom we sleep? It’s a bit absurd, but that’s why everybody.”

“I have stepped off the relationship scene to come to terms with myself. I have spent most of my adult life being ‘someone’s girlfriend’, and now I am happy being single.”

In 2000, Christina Milian made her first official musical appearance on Ja Rule’s second studio album Rule 3:36, performing guest vocals on his song “Between Me and You”. Released as the album’s lead single in 2001, the track managed to peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, building Milian’s reputation as a singer.

Christina Milian continues, “When I go home, I still have to clean my room, I still have to do the dishes. We have somebody come every now and then to do that stuff, but my mom still makes me clean before she comes.”

Keira Knightley appeared in the print ad for the Chanel fragrance Coco Mademoiselle. The ad features her naked and covering her chest with a bowler hat. Her modest cleavage was digitally enhanced in the ad.

“Those things certainly weren’t mine. I was like, ‘OK, fine. I honestly don’t give a shit.’ I don’t have any tits, so I can’t show cleavage.”

In May 2007, Keira revealed she was hurt by recent allegations that her thin frame was promoting anorexia and she was considering quitting acting as a result.

“People said to me, ‘How does it feel to be called anorexic?’ I had no idea that I was. I’m not saying there aren’t people in the film industry that suffer from it [anorexia], but I’m quite sure I don’t have it.”

“At parties, I stand on my own, grinning aimlessly. I can never think of a thing to say. I wish I was Sienna Miller. I watch that girl and she is just fabulous. She talks to everyone and laughs and smiles.”

Keira did all of her own stunts in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. She was thrilled that she actually got to sword fight in this one. In the first one she begged for a sword fight, but they did not let her have one.

Amy Smart’s parents’ names are John Smart who was a salesman and Judy Carrington who worked at the Jean Paul Getty museum. A friend to the environment, Amy has worked with the Heal The Bay organization, the Environmental Media Association, and the Humane Society.

Amy Smart reached her widest audience with a co-starring role opposite James Van Der Beek in Varsity Blues (1999) as a girl who longs for life beyond her small town’s high school football-obsessed culture but who, as sister of the injured star quarterback and girlfriend of his idealistic replacement, is tied to it.

Smart continued her successful career with a bang. Smart appeared in two hit films back to back – The Butterfly Effect and Starsky and Hutch.

When asked about her funniest, most dramatic and sexiest roles, Amy Smart replies… “The most dramatic would definitely be The Butterfly Effect.”

“The funniest, I would say, is my character in Rat Race; more specifically, when I’m flying the helicopter.”

“The sexiest, I would have to say Smith! Road Trip may have been ‘sexy’ [in a collegiate way], but Smith to me is more womanly sexy. Annie really owns her sexuality — and she’s not scared to use it to get something.”

Angelina has many tattoos including: the letter “H” on the inside of her left wrist (in honor of her brother, James Haven), “A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages” on her left forearm (a Tennessee Williams quote), the Japanese sign for death, two American Indian symbols, a dragon and a large black cross. She also collects knives and likes mortuary science.

Angelina is of Czech, English, and Native American heritage and has measurements of 36C-28-36. Her favorite Disney character is Dumbo the flying elephant, and cried when she learned he was able to fly.

Angelina has been in the news as much for her humanitarian efforts in Africa, as for her relationship with Brad Pitt and their adopted children.

Charlize Theron grew up on a small farm outside Benoni, South Africaa and was an only child. She got an education as a ballet dancer and has danced both the “Swan Lake” and the “Nutcracker Suite”.

At the age of 15, Charlize Theron witnessed the death of her father, Charles Theron. He was an abusive alcoholic and her mother, Gerda Theron, shot him in self defense when he attacked her. No charges were pressed. At the age of 18, her mother made her go to Los Angeles to try to begin a career in the movie industry.

Charlize Theron is the first South African to win an Oscar for Best Actress. This captivating former model has carved out a very impressive career, by playing some really ugly and bizarre characters. Theron continued her deglamorized cinema streak, as a sexually harassed miner in the movie North Country, which earned Charlize Golden Globe and Oscar nods in 2006.

On the paparazzi, “They try to beat you down so you give in but I’ll never do that. If I have to call as many restraining orders or dump as many water bottles on cameras, that’s what I’ll do.”

Brad Pitt was chosen as one of People Magazine’s annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World in May 2007.

Brad Pitt revealed in 2007 that he still remains friends with his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston. “Jen and I still maintain a deep friendship and have a lot of life together that isn’t erased in any way. I don’t know how better to have handled it. My view was, this is no one’s business in the end – at least in matters of the heart.

So you need to protect all involved as much as possible. I don’t know if that cooled things off or exacerbated them, but it was a thing I felt justly about at the time. Again, the thing guiding me then was you don’t know how many days you have and you need life to be everything you want it to be.”

Brad says he really admires Angelina Jolie’s devotion to orphans, but he still longs to have children of his own.  Brad and Angelina are awaiting the birth of twins.

When Pitt was asked about being a father, “My expectations about being a dad are being excelled daily. When I tuck the children in at night I always take the time to talk to them. I have three kids now and next year I’ll have six then nine. We’re looking for a soccer team. I want to compete in the next World Cup.”

Main image: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image: DoD News Features, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons