Cult of personalities: Almost 25 million people have visited Graceland since Elvis’ death in 1977; Beyoncé has 134 million followers on Instagram; and over 46 million adults read People magazine every week. Why do we care so much about famous people? In her new book, Sharon Marcus looks at The Drama of Celebrity, starting with eccentric Victorian superstar Sarah Bernhardt, who slept in a coffin in her youth, and was “as famous in her day as the Beatles in theirs.” UVA professor and Slate pop critic Jack Hamilton speaks with Marcus about her exploration of fame and the way it’s carefully crafted by journalists, the public, and celebrities themselves.
Related stories
Overflowing with inspiration
By Dave Gil de Rubio The ancient Greek playwright Euripides said, “To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.” It’s a sentiment Paul Janeway, the namesake of Southern soul outfit St. Paul & the Broken Bones, can relate to. In 2020, fatherhood and the ability to create a musical message for Janeway’s […]
In fine voice
Some of Charlottesville’s most talented vocalists take flight at Songbirds & Divas. Ti Ames, Richelle Claiborne (right), and Leslie M. Scott-Jones stir the soul with powerful renditions of songs by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Jazmine Sullivan, Destiny’s Child, The Marvelettes, and more. The singers perform both solo sets and as a group in a concert […]
Jump shots
Seeing is sometimes unbelievable at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour short film screenings. Take to the mountains, the sea, and uncharted terrain as you ride along with the outdoor action, defying gravity from your seat while enjoying soaring moves and dizzying views. The event benefits the Shenandoah National Park Trust. $25, times […]
