icelady
Brilliant_Rock
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Jeweler to the Stars
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hoorray
Ideal_Rock
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Me too. Seems we all have a lot of expertise to add to these pointless threads.Date: 1/5/2005 8:57:12 PM
Author: Kamuelamom
AGBF, this had me chuckling.Date: 1/5/2005 11:175 AM
Author: AGBF
Is there a point to this thread? I am not objecting to a pointless thread, mind you, I would just like to know. I was thinking I might start keeping track of the pointlesss threads in which I post frequently, adding my considerable expertise.
Deborah
Kaili
Brilliant_Rock
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This thread made me laugh and brought a few things to my mind, so I guess I''ll add my "expertise" (tongue in cheek) to the pointless thread.
Having lived, studied, and worked in LA for about 10 years both in retail and now entertainment, I see a few sides to the story. "Celebrities" come from all walks of life and levels of education and etiquette training, so to speak. Economic background is not necessarily a determining factor for how they behave. Some act like major idiots, some are quite gracious, some are young and thrown into a VERY strange and confusing world where there seems to be NO boundaries and where they are encouraged to be wild.
If you think a celebrity is paid too much, then stop going to see their films/ buying their CD''s/ Attending their games, etc. They get paid based on how many people (translating into dollars) they can attract. No audience = NO insane salary. You think Paris Hilton is "hot," you watch her show, you buy magazines to see her photo, you purchase her parfume, her stock goes up, and she gets paid more. What does she actually DO??? I don''t know, but people like to watch her!!?? Celebs don''t even have to be likeable... some are the ones that people "love to hate," and are therefore even more popular. Maybe not you or me, but somebody is selling out those concerts/ games/ theatres/ magazine racks. You don''t like it, then don''t perpetuate it by talking about it (good or bad) and patronizing the goods.
If you don''t like a celebrity''s oppinion, do what you do to people on the street who have differing views... don''t listen. Many people spout their oppinions, but they just don''t have national platforms- I get that. You don''t like it, turn off the TV (or you can debate it here
). I don''t like a lot of what our US politicians have to say. They are on TV. I turn them off too!
In terms of free "stuff." Do you know how much money most of these companies make by getting a celeb to sport their product and consequently receiving relatively inexpensive national advertising? Enough that most are dying to get into the game. I worked with a certain high profile Spanish Actress who is constantly in the magazines. Designers were knocking down the doors to get her to wear their clothing to events, and it always paid off for them. One mention in People magazine and the designer was swamped with business from non-celebs.
By the way, we on Pricescope all understand the difference between the cost of materials of, say, a Tiffany ring vs. what they sell it for... the cost to give that away is not as great as the retail... AND Yes, I do understand the borrowed jewelry is a pain to reclaim (unless you are Harry Winston and have security guards to accompany the wearer all evening). Sometimes- not always, but sometimes, it is not actually the fault of the celebrity. Sometimes the manager/ publicist/ agent is the one who doesn''t get the borrowed goods back to the rightful owner.
In terms of publicists who hook up the deals... well, isn''t a finders fee standard in business??
Wolfgang Puck comps appetizers and cocktails for his star guests because it keeps them happy and coming back (not to mention the food is great). Most tourists who come into Spago don''t come for the food (with the exception of a handful of foodies). The first thing they ask when they come through the door is "are there any celebrities here tonight?" Those tourists contribute to keeping Spago in business, believe it or not.
I am am just an average Jo-sephine and I would love all of the free stuff that I can''t afford, but until I can get my butt into the Oscars, walking down the red carpet, and on camera for an interview, I don''t think any free goods will be coming my way. It is compensation for getting the product out there- you get paid to do a job, and so do they (however silly it seems to us). A designer gown in trade for 10 seconds of a red carpet interview is certainly cheaper than a 10 second commercial during one of these events.
Anyway, enough of my useless 2 Cents. Fire away at me, if ya like
Having lived, studied, and worked in LA for about 10 years both in retail and now entertainment, I see a few sides to the story. "Celebrities" come from all walks of life and levels of education and etiquette training, so to speak. Economic background is not necessarily a determining factor for how they behave. Some act like major idiots, some are quite gracious, some are young and thrown into a VERY strange and confusing world where there seems to be NO boundaries and where they are encouraged to be wild.
If you think a celebrity is paid too much, then stop going to see their films/ buying their CD''s/ Attending their games, etc. They get paid based on how many people (translating into dollars) they can attract. No audience = NO insane salary. You think Paris Hilton is "hot," you watch her show, you buy magazines to see her photo, you purchase her parfume, her stock goes up, and she gets paid more. What does she actually DO??? I don''t know, but people like to watch her!!?? Celebs don''t even have to be likeable... some are the ones that people "love to hate," and are therefore even more popular. Maybe not you or me, but somebody is selling out those concerts/ games/ theatres/ magazine racks. You don''t like it, then don''t perpetuate it by talking about it (good or bad) and patronizing the goods.
If you don''t like a celebrity''s oppinion, do what you do to people on the street who have differing views... don''t listen. Many people spout their oppinions, but they just don''t have national platforms- I get that. You don''t like it, turn off the TV (or you can debate it here
In terms of free "stuff." Do you know how much money most of these companies make by getting a celeb to sport their product and consequently receiving relatively inexpensive national advertising? Enough that most are dying to get into the game. I worked with a certain high profile Spanish Actress who is constantly in the magazines. Designers were knocking down the doors to get her to wear their clothing to events, and it always paid off for them. One mention in People magazine and the designer was swamped with business from non-celebs.
By the way, we on Pricescope all understand the difference between the cost of materials of, say, a Tiffany ring vs. what they sell it for... the cost to give that away is not as great as the retail... AND Yes, I do understand the borrowed jewelry is a pain to reclaim (unless you are Harry Winston and have security guards to accompany the wearer all evening). Sometimes- not always, but sometimes, it is not actually the fault of the celebrity. Sometimes the manager/ publicist/ agent is the one who doesn''t get the borrowed goods back to the rightful owner.
In terms of publicists who hook up the deals... well, isn''t a finders fee standard in business??
Wolfgang Puck comps appetizers and cocktails for his star guests because it keeps them happy and coming back (not to mention the food is great). Most tourists who come into Spago don''t come for the food (with the exception of a handful of foodies). The first thing they ask when they come through the door is "are there any celebrities here tonight?" Those tourists contribute to keeping Spago in business, believe it or not.
I am am just an average Jo-sephine and I would love all of the free stuff that I can''t afford, but until I can get my butt into the Oscars, walking down the red carpet, and on camera for an interview, I don''t think any free goods will be coming my way. It is compensation for getting the product out there- you get paid to do a job, and so do they (however silly it seems to us). A designer gown in trade for 10 seconds of a red carpet interview is certainly cheaper than a 10 second commercial during one of these events.
Anyway, enough of my useless 2 Cents. Fire away at me, if ya like
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