Its impact on craft

How does the existence of a celebrity blog affect how their work is perceived?

The impact is largely related to the quality and purpose behind the individual blog. Some celebrity bloggers use the platform as another branch of self-promotion, some consider themselves citizen journalists, speaking out on issues that matter to them, some use it as a way to provide insight into the process of their craft, and still others consider it a way to showcase their additional talents. [17]


When celebrity blogs are at their best, their impact on craft certainly appears positive, both in their paid craft and the craft of blogging. Reviews of the most popular blogs usually cite the author’s passion for going above and beyond using it for the publicity. The worst offenders fall victim to the repetitive nature of promoting their latest project, turning their blog into a veritable umbrella of press releases. Those cynical toward celebrity bloggers are generally referring to the lazier type who provide “boring blogs. . . the worst kind to read.” [18] These more general aspects of blogging have their place, though lose their impact when it’s the sole focus of the author.

Screen cap taken from http://www.kournikova.com/blog/latest.

Some artists don’t like to talk about the process behind their work, for fear that it will ruin the magic, so to speak, and change the art into a science. Tommy Lee Jones is a notoriously prickly interview subject when it comes to discussing his craft and often gives interviewers monosyllabic responses. Marlon Brando had a famous interview on The Dick Cavett Show in 1973 where he sidestepped questions about his film career and his life in favor of discussing the plight of the American Indian. [19]  Tommy Lee Jones does not, nor probably would ever consider, writing a blog. If Marlon Brando were alive, however, it’s possible he might author a political or socioeconomic blog.

In this way, the blog is the best possible opportunity for a celebrity to speak about the things they want to speak about. Regardless of the blog’s topic—whether it’s about an upcoming film or the plight of the American Indian—the reader gains insight into the author’s inner workings.


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