The Medial Portrayal of Celebrities via Tabloids and Social Media. The Portrayal of a True Celebrity Self

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Celebrities and their Relationship with Society and the News Media
• Tabloids, Tabloidization and Gossip Culture
• Social Media: A Shift in Power Dynamics
• Social Media: The “Online Self”
• The Portrayal of Two Different Realities
• The Portrayal of a “True Celebrity Self”
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of celebrities in tabloid media and on social media, specifically focusing on the contrast between these two platforms and how they depict different "realities" of the celebrity's persona. The paper investigates how the power dynamics between celebrities, media outlets, and the public have shifted in the age of social media and how this shift impacts the perception of "true celebrity selves."

• The role of tabloids and gossip culture in shaping celebrity narratives
• The influence of social media on celebrity self-presentation and public image
• The contrast between tabloid portrayals and celebrity-generated content on social media
• The potential for social media to empower celebrities and challenge traditional media narratives
• The concept of a "true celebrity self" and its implications in a multi-platform media landscape

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of celebrities and their ubiquitous presence in media, highlighting the influence of tabloids and social media on shaping their public image. It also introduces the research question: how do tabloid media and celebrities themselves via social media portray two different realities?
• Celebrities and their Relationship with Society and the News Media: This chapter delves into the complex relationship between celebrities and the news media, exploring how celebrities are both objects of fascination and tools of entertainment for society. It examines the symbiotic relationship between celebrities and the media, focusing on the impact of soft news and gossip culture on public perception.
• Tabloids, Tabloidization and Gossip Culture: This chapter provides a deeper understanding of tabloid media and its role in shaping celebrity narratives. It explores the concept of "tabloidization" and its impact on the dissemination of information about celebrities. The chapter also examines the cultural context surrounding gossip culture and its influence on media consumption.
• Social Media: A Shift in Power Dynamics: This chapter analyzes the emergence of social media and its impact on the power dynamics between celebrities, media outlets, and the public. It explores how social media has empowered celebrities to control their own narratives and directly engage with their audiences, potentially challenging the traditional authority of mainstream media.
• Social Media: The “Online Self”: This chapter explores the concept of the "online self" as it pertains to celebrities. It examines how celebrities utilize social media platforms like Instagram to cultivate a curated online persona, highlighting the potential for strategic self-presentation and brand building.
• The Portrayal of Two Different Realities: This chapter presents a comparative analysis of tabloid portrayals of celebrities and their self-generated content on social media. It highlights the contrast between these two realities and explores the implications of this discrepancy for public perception.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper focuses on the intersection of celebrity culture, media studies, and social media. Key concepts explored include: tabloid media, gossip culture, social media self-presentation, power dynamics, online self, celebrity narratives, and public perception. The paper utilizes case studies and comparative analysis to examine the impact of different media platforms on the construction of celebrity identities and the perception of a "true celebrity self."