Opinions Throughout History: Fame & Celebrity in America

From billionaire pop stars to celebrity political figures to parasocial obsession, fame and celebrity have shaped American culture in innumerable ways. From the economics of the influencer industry and content creation, to the political influence of celebrities like Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Taylor Swift, to the obsessive subcultures of celebrity gossip and fandom, how Americans conceptualize fame and its relationship to value has been one of the most powerful and influential forces in American history. This volume of Opinions Throughout History looks at how concepts of celebrity have changed over time from the earliest folk heroes to modern Internet sensations, and looks at how America's relationship to fame has often resulted in the prioritization of style over substance.