North Texas Daily

Young stars growing up in the limelight have all the phases of their lives witnessed by people they do not know. Along the way, they usually fall into a niche or become known for something in particular. Their audience then starts to associate them with it, whether a look they wear or a role they play.

Billie Eilish recently faced backlash for deviating from the standard look that fans know her for. Her previously green and black hair was now blonde, and her clothes had shifted from baggy to more form-fitting. But this change is not as shocking as people think it is. Eilish has kept a consistent style since 2019, but that does not mean she should keep it up forever. She is only 19 years old,  her sense of self-expression is not set in stone. Celebrities should be allowed to evolve and experiment like anyone who is still learning about themselves. People tend to reject change because they are being pushed out of their comfort zone. Even though they do not know these celebrities, they still feel shocked whenever they alter something in their own lives.

Miley Cyrus was heavily criticized for changing her look back in 2013. She put aside her family-friendly persona and began embracing a more adult style. This led to extreme condemnation from the public, who wished she would return to her previous self. Due to Cyrus’ previous status of being a role model for children, parents were the most vocal. They believed her changing persona could be a bad influence on the children who looked up to her. Even though Cyrus stood her ground, she was still a target of mass criticism. 

Lil Nas X became famous for his single “Old Town Road” in 2019 and the song was enjoyed by a huge audience. But after he released the music video for his single “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” there was a public outcry from haters. Parents were shocked that Lil Nas X went from rapping about cowboys to singing about his experience as a homosexual man. This came after the COVID-19 pandemic, when he decided to take his music in a different direction. Some people were so attached to the previous version of himself that they felt betrayed after he changed his image so drastically. 

Celebrities are held to a certain standard by the public, whether it is about their looks or how they act. People expect them to do no wrong. This can also be the result of parasocial relationships, a one-sided relationship where one party’s feelings are not reciprocated or known about by the other party. 

People feel a sense of entitlement over the decisions these celebrities make, even though they has no idea. Social media is not entirely to blame for this behavior. If anything, it has only served to amplify the backlash. Putting people in boxes only serves to restrict them to our expectations and not who they want to be. The public needs to stop labeling celebrities and let them be who they genuinely are.

Featured Illustration by J. Robynn Aviles