Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: celeb moms, celebrity image, celebrity pregnancy, motherhood
Guess which Hollywood leading lady I heard is pregnant….Give up? All of them.
Ok. Ok. Not literally every one of them, but there is definitely more media focus on baby as of late. Due in 2008: Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Jamie Lynn Spears, Nicole Kidman, Gwen Stefani. Not to mention those starlets that have just recently delivered: Nicole Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera.
Nicole Richie received $1 million for her son, Harlow, to be featured on the cover of People magazine. Christina Aguilera was reportedly paid $2 million for pictures of her newborn son, Max. It is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s baby Shiloh that takes the cake though, with People giving up $4.1 million to feature the girl on a June 2006 cover.
Being showcased as a new or expectant celebrity mother certainly has its benefits. Ignoring the obvious ( and extremely) easy money, the portrayal of a celeb in the “mom role” allows for those similar individuals in the general public to find commonalities and identify with A-list celebrity women. A simple assumption is that moms relate and listen to other moms. This can increase a star’s fan base. Also, when the public identifies with a famous figure, they are likely to extend a fair amount of sympathy towards that same individual if and when a crisis occurs. Public sympathy can be priceless from a PR perspective.
A story featuring a new or expectant celebrity mother is able to transform an image for the better. Take Nicole Richie for example, who has received plenty of negative publicity. However, a cover article in the March 2008 issue of People magazine features a quote from Richie concerning her daughter, Harlow: “She gives life a whole new meaning and purpose.” There you have it, an official statement that has charged both Nicole’s fans and the general public alike with optimism for her new life and family. As such, flub-ups from the past will most likely remain in the past. “Mommy coverage” like this is refreshing for both the public and stars in the public eye.
Celebrity motherhood and pregnancy is like the new rehab. I mean, a baby can change lives for the better and it gets you on the cover of major magazines!
Seriously though, celebrity moms are substituting a positive image of life in Hollywood in place of the predominantly negative coverage, like enough celebrity meltdowns in 2007 to warrant a “Top Ten” listing. Geez.
I admire them for bringing such a balance.
