I’m not getting religious, but the Bible warned us against idolatry for a reason. From what I’ve observed, if a celebrity or public figure tells you to jump, you’d ask, “Would you want a backflip or a frontflip?”

What is celebrity worship? Celebrity worship is a phenomenon in which people listen to and believe in celebrities’ goodness and godlike nature. They’ll buy any product they endorse, parrot anything they speak, and let the actions of that celebrity dictate their lives. Fans might even start to believe they know that celebrity personally when they’re just another face in the crowd.

Media literacy, critical thinking and reading comprehension are nonexistent in America. The absence of thinking for yourself is a huge problem when people believe what they’re told and are encouraged not to question a message or an advert that gets peddled to them 24/7, giving way to celebrity worship. I’ve seen people hang on every word a celebrity uses, erect shrines, and attend every concert a musician hosts.

Celebrity worship puts us in danger because not every influential figure has our best intentions — some, like Dream — are profit-driven.

Dream is a popular Minecraft YouTuber with a young, dedicated fanbase. He sells his merchandise at a higher price; his signature hoodie is $40.99. Based on that, I would expect a colorful and intricate design. Instead, his hoodies are a solid color with a smiley face slapped in the middle. It’s not a revolutionary or brand-recognizable design. Why buy a $40 hoodie from Dream when you can buy a $5 hoodie at Walmart and iron on the design yourself? But unfortunately, millions of child fans lack the comprehension and foresight to question the product. Why would Dream ever want to use their fans as a cash cow?

Do you see what happens when people are blinded by the shiny gloss every celebrity is coated in? They make harmful decisions. I’ve seen people willfully ignore celebrities who are known abusers; I’ve seen them victim blame and become staunch apologists for their favourite public figures because, god forbid, their idol is anything but a god to them.

Celebrity worship brings out the worst in people. It twists them into an empty version of themselves, with a one-track mind that only serves their favorite celebrity.

What we often forget is that celebrities are mortal like everyone else. They’re human, with messy desires and selfish impulses, and can make immoral choices just like the rest of us. But people can’t grasp that concept, even after enduring cheating scandals.

When our feelings sway to the whims of celebrities, it can feel constricting and tumultuous. Giving one person that much power over your existence isn’t healthy for anyone involved.

So, what can we do to combat this prevalent pop culture issue? I can’t give you a complete guide on squashing celebrity worship, but I can offer some tips. Step back from the fandoms you’re part of and cultivate your life outside that. You can start by focusing on studies and reconnecting with your hobbies. Prioritise self-care, and if you can’t get a good night’s sleep, set your phone on a sleep lock and try to establish a good sleep pattern.

But most of all, I’d recommend questioning everything. Get curious. If a celebrity is trying to sell you a product, ask why instead of asking for the price tag. Always do outside research and come to your own conclusion relying on celebrity endorsements; this is especially important when electing government officials or sinking money into an important product.

Remember, you’re a fully realised being with valid thoughts and opinions. Don’t let yourself be a puppet on a string and spend a lifetime letting celebrities pull you around.

Live your life according to your values and live it well.