Celebritology 101: When Egos Attack
A certain amount of ego is required to be successful in the entertainment world -- a certain amount of self-aggrandizement is not only expected, but necessary to get out your brand: you. But somewhere between the in-your-grill braggadocio of professional wrestlers and self-deprecating shtick of Woody Allen and Albert Brooks, one should strive to strike a happy balance between egomaniac and wallpaper.
If only this lesson had been available last week, before Kanye West stormed the stage when his "Touch the Sky" failed to win best video at the European MTV Awards. West grabbed the mike and proceeded to hold forth about why he should've won -- his video cost $1 million and starred Pamela Anderson.
But wait: On Monday, "sources" told the New York Post that West's hissy fit was a "prank" designed to spoof his cocky image.
Do you think this man is joking?
I'm not buying it. After all, this is the man who appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in a Jesus-emulating crown of thorns and said in an Entertainment Weekly article last year: "I feel like I should win Album of the Year because, um, it was."
It seems West's been here before:
On the 2005 Grammy nominations: "If I don't win Album of the Year, I'm gonna really have a problem with that." [Source]
In 2004 after failing to win Breakthrough Artist at the American Music Awards: "I was the best new artist this year," and "I got 10 Grammy nominations, and won three -- even if I should have won all 10." [Source]
And so, West makes the perfect illustrative example for today's Celebritology 101 lesson: Over-inflated egos.
A few simple rules for striking the right balance:
1. Use your handler/publicist/manager/agent preemptively. Seek his advice and help crafting your public image. Don't shortchange your investment by only allowing him to clean up after your public gaffes.
2. Stick to one form of entertaining. What do Don Johnson, Madonna, Paris Hilton, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Juliette Lewis have in common? They all thought they could make the leap from one form of entertainment to another. This almost always results in very public humiliation and a dimming of one's star. (Accident waiting to happen: Diddy recently expressed a desire to take on the role of James Bond.) There is always the exception that proves the rule. For instance musician Mos Def, who has made critically acclaimed steps into the acting world.
3. Keep it simple. Especially for actors, an unscripted conversation can result in disaster. Reflect back on Oscar acceptance speeches -- from the corny ("You like me, you really really like me." -- Sally Field) to the idiotic ("I am the king of the world!" -- James Cameron). The risk of a mouth malfunction is intensified exponentially under the influence of alcohol and other mind-altering substances (See Gibson, Mel.)
4. Recognize the problem. If you believe your own hype, your ego is dangerously out of control. Please seek out reality -- i.e. box office numbers, the amount of plastic surgery required to keep you in working condition, the doctoring needed to make your singing listenable -- for a quick dose of humility.
5. Remember, the camera is always on: (Keep your eyes on Faith Hill at last night's Country Music Awards.)
Update: Hill later issued a statement denying any ill feeling toward her fellow musicians.
By Liz |
November 7, 2006; 10:43 AM ET
| Category:
Celebritology 101
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Posted by: not bluto | November 7, 2006 11:17 AM
I don't know. She's a pretty classy lady and that looked very acted. Who puts their arms up like that? I want to know more!
Posted by: MD | November 7, 2006 11:30 AM
I totally think Kanye was being satirical.
Posted by: fermata | November 7, 2006 11:31 AM
i think you are off-base on rule #2. courtney love was great in "man on the moon". i loved ludicris in "crash"...and diddy did a respectable turn in the god-awful "monster ball." in fact, musicians probably are better at switching to acting than the other way around (think: keanu reeves, kevin bacon)
that faith hill clip is classic!!! i love it!!
Posted by: wats | November 7, 2006 11:35 AM
Kanye's stage appearance was a prank, yeah right, how much does he want for that bridge again?
It was in extremely bad taste, he didn't win and instead of letting the winner enjoy his success as he deserved, he chose to act like a(n) (insert appropriate words here). What he should have done was sit down and shut up.
The Faith Hill thing was on the news this morning. It is quite funny, didn't expect that move from her.
Posted by: petal | November 7, 2006 11:37 AM
he is an ass and he is racist. enough said
Posted by: | November 7, 2006 11:55 AM
Kanye West hates all other musicians!
I think that he was not kidding, but that Faith Hill was.
Posted by: sarahbugs | November 7, 2006 12:11 PM
Faith Hill clip...hilarious!! Echoing an earlier poster,I'm shocked..she usually conducts herself better. But she's human and that was funny!!
As far as Mr. West. I was never a fan, I supported him during Katrina but that was just disrespectful to the winners!!! Prank...yeah right
Posted by: bad | November 7, 2006 12:13 PM
According to the CMT site, Faith was back stage laughing with someone when she did this as part of the conversation (hence, a joke reaction). She also has a statement on her website.
Posted by: | November 7, 2006 12:27 PM
I thought Eddie Murphey was a fairly credible actor; I mean he's no Olivier but he's passable. That single he released with Rick James wasn't half bad. He's no P. Hilton.
Posted by: Stick | November 7, 2006 12:30 PM
Kanye West (who is a tool) and Faith Hill should both be a shame. They stole someone else's moment because their egos handle not being the center of attention.
Posted by: Lisa | November 7, 2006 12:31 PM
For Stick: The single Eddie Murphy did with Rick James stunk to the high heavens.
What's wrong with you.
Posted by: Lisa | November 7, 2006 12:34 PM
Its not fair to throw Jamie Foxx in your list of celebrities who fail at other forms of art. Jamie's last album was very successful and was at the top of the charts for weeks. The fact that he's a talented singer contributed to his excellent performance in "Ray". As for people like Paris Hilton...I have no comment. She's not talented in any sense of the word. But Jamie is extremely talented when it comes to music.
Posted by: Belinda | November 7, 2006 12:47 PM
People, People. I work in TV. Those award shows are so scripted and planned, that even if someone burps its in a show run down. To expect any kink of spontainety on live tv even in errope is absurd. Totally planned. If it wasn't do you know how fast the director/producers would have gone to crowd shots/commercials. Not only that but it would have been edited out for American distribution and no one would have been the wiser. Come on there is no one behind the curtain....
Posted by: B McB | November 7, 2006 1:18 PM
You work in TV? As in what? Selling them at Best Buy? Or in Errope? Try using some PUNCTUATION and spell check, dude.
Posted by: People, People | November 7, 2006 1:26 PM
Good, euridite comeback my friend. It would have been as lot more biting of a criticism if you had offered some insights besides insults. Somehow coming from someone who uses dude in a post, I am not too worried about grammar issues. Its people like you who ruin any type of debate in this country. You maight have well ended the post with a "your mom." Also, if I worked for Best Buy, I would be selling TV's no working in it.
Posted by: B McB | November 7, 2006 1:39 PM
Why did the sound man / director turn the mic up instead of down for kanye......he's a jerk
Posted by: Joe | November 7, 2006 2:33 PM
Faith definitely looked surprised, not acting
Posted by: Joe | November 7, 2006 2:34 PM
Wasn't James Cameron reciting the line from Titanic when Leo DiCaprio is on the front of the ship yelling "I'm the king of the world!!" when he accepted his Oscar?
Posted by: devil's advocate | November 7, 2006 3:02 PM
B McB - so I guess the Janet Jackson/Jusin Timberlake "malfunction" was scripted too? Spontaneous things happen on live TV all the time that the network does not have control over, especially if they are not smart enough to work on a time delay. And if this was scripted, and they approved it, that's even worse. It was dumb, not the least bit funny, and all it did was make this all about Faith Hill, which I'm sure is what she wanted in the first place, since she didn't win. Poor judgment all around.
Posted by: me | November 7, 2006 3:32 PM
What happened with Faith Hill that was so funny? I don't have speakers, so I could only watch it without sound.
Are we impressed/scandalized/amused because she showed some emotion when she lost? I know it's not in the playbook for awards shows, but I'd've been disappointed too, probably.
Friends did a mildly funny send-up of this phenomenon when Joey was nominated for a soap award. He had to practice his eyebrows-raised-anticipation, and then his polite, self-deprecating nod-and-clap in case the other guy won. Of course, his emotions got the better of him, and he did the same thing Faith did.
End of ramble. But please, someone please let me know if I've missed something here.
Posted by: WashDC | November 7, 2006 3:49 PM
1. The Faith Hill clip made me laugh a lot.
2. I do think that Carrot Top has had plastic surgery.
3. Your mom.
Posted by: KG | November 7, 2006 4:02 PM
Britney and K-Fed filed for divorce!?!?
Say it ain't so................
Posted by: K Street | November 7, 2006 4:05 PM
Britney Spears filed for divorce. HA, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Posted by: Go Figure | November 7, 2006 4:23 PM
Kanye is totally kidding. Very little that he does DOESN'T involve satire
Posted by: another liz | November 7, 2006 4:50 PM
I am never ever ever interested in sensationalism and Hollyweird and all that. I don't go to movies, watch much TV or read magazines that don't have sailboats. I think Walter Winchell ruined journalism.
But I need to know (for reasons I don't know): Did the Federline-Spears have a pre-nup?
Tell me Chatwoman!!!
Posted by: Brit & Fed | November 7, 2006 4:53 PM
Liz,
I just read on the Chicago Tribune that Britney had filed for divorce from Kevin.
I reconcileable differences. We've got a lot to talk abut tomorrow morning!!
Posted by: snootty | November 7, 2006 5:03 PM
So Faith was humorously distracting attention from the winner vs. angrily? It doesn't make sense that she would be on national TV (she had to know the camera was there) and do "humor" or "anger" causing a distraction does it? Anger is a spontaneous thing, if it was humor then she's just a twit....
Posted by: JP | November 7, 2006 5:06 PM
Sean Puffy Poofy Diddy Dumb Combs would be a TERRIBLE Bond. Bond is the antithesis of the gangsta thug who beat an assault charge by the skin of his teeth--Bond is suave, debonair, drinks martinis, skis like a madman, boats, wears no bling, knows how to act in every situation.
Posted by: | November 7, 2006 6:23 PM
Me-case in point...how long did the camera linger on JJ's malfunction? Certainly not long enough to deliver a monologue the length of Kanye's. Yes unscripted things happen, but not for that length of time. Did you notice how long Faith Hill's face was on the screen for. That most likely was spontaneous...and half a second later on to a wide shot....and no Faith.
Posted by: B McB | November 7, 2006 6:51 PM
Well, like I said before: If this was scripted, and they approved it, that's even worse. It was dumb, not the least bit funny, and all it did was make this all about Faith Hill, which I'm sure is what she wanted in the first place, since she didn't win. Poor judgment all around. She just got lucky that the elections and the Britney Spears debacle distracted everyone from this dumb stunt.
Posted by: me | November 8, 2006 9:03 AM
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hahah! how did that Faith Hill thing hasn't had more attn!