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When asked the main difference between living in Malibu and living in most other places in the world, some might answer it is the opportunity to stroll along amazing beaches and view spectacular sunsets almost every day of the year. Some may think it’s the cultural and historic value of the town. Still, others might believe it to be the diversity its of inhabitants. Ultimately, though, Malibu is associated withits celebrity residents.
While the movie stars, athletes, musicians and other pop culture icons undoubtedly contribute to the city’s culture, their presence is accompanied by a much-less welcomed factor: the paparazzi.
While leafing through this week’s edition of “People,” I noticed that the majority of the captions stated that the pictures were taken in Malibu. Yet it didn’t bring me joy to know that I shop at the same grocery store as Britney Spears’ husband, Kevin Federline, or that I, like “The OC’s” Mischa Barton, get my caffeine fix at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Rather, the pictures served to remind me of the obnoxious presence of the paparazzi.
A few weeks ago, I had lunch at John’s Garden and, afterwards, decided to look around in the popular clothing store, Planet Blue. While walking through the parking lot, I was accosted by the screeching of tires and pushed out of the way as six men with cameras leapt out of their cars to capture a photograph of Nicole Richie and her friend walking their dogs. Not only did it appear that Richie was frustrated that her walk had been disrupted, I was annoyed at the rude disruption as well. Was it really necessary to invade not only my space, but, more importantly, Richie’s privacy?
Malibu is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parts of the country. It has the best of both worlds, beach and mountains, within walking distance. Birds of paradise grow freely, palm trees wave in the breeze, and, on a good day, dolphins can be spotted playing in the ocean. But the natural beauty is overlooked by the more intense focus on the superficiality of celebrity lifestyles.
The celebrity presence in Malibu continues to grow, and with it comes the unwanted company of the paparazzi. Stars have bought homes and lived peacefully in our coastal town for years in virtual anonymity. It’s not like that anymore. The importance of celebrities has become a primary concern in our lives.
The paparazzi serve to reinforce the cultural value that pop culture is vital to daily life. Ultimately, their brash actions and constant invasions of privacy imply that the happenings in celebrities’ lives are the most important things in the world. In the midst of the natural beauty in Malibu, the paparazzi choose to chase superficiality.
Not only are their motives shallow, but their methods are destructive as well. In an MSNBC interview with anchor Rita Cosby on Oct. 14, celebrity publicist Ken Sunshine said the aggressive tactics used by paparazzi are only becoming more common.
“When is it going to stop?” Sunshine said. “I mean, Princess Diana is dead, at least in part, because of insane aggressive actions by these stalkers. I thought it might stop them. It’s gotten worse.”
How much longer, then, will it be until an accident of the severity of Princess Diana’s occur in Malibu? Why can’t we focus on the natural beauty of the town, rather than drowning ourselves in useless pop culture? How long will it take for the paparazzi to realize that there is more to life than celebrity lifestyles?
Until there is a return to a focus on the everyday beauty in Malibu that we take for granted, the paparazzi will continue to invade our space and pervade our minds.
Submitted 10-27-2005
MALIBU, CA
