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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

For thinking that people are naive to be taken in by celebrity PR

86 replies

sst1234 · 02/01/2021 16:41

Reading several threads recently gushing about celebrities who are amazing and enlightened and doing so much good in the world world, apparently. Am I the only one who isn’t taken in my this nonsense and the image that celebrity PR machines create in order to make celebrities more likeable and bankable. Are people really that gullible that they can’t see past it and get taken in by it. Is everyone an armchair campaigner now, a few interviews, podcasts, do gooder tweets, turning up to Publicity events to ‘help’ the needy and they deserve a knighthood? Really?
Harry and Meghan, Marcus Rashford are few that spring to mind. Can no one else this is just marketing, and cheap talk. It makes them money, keeps them in the news and prolongs their talentless, flagging careers.

OP posts:

HedgieHog · 02/01/2021 17:07

Disagree completely about Marcus Rashford, he’s come from nothing and doesn’t forget it
I think he comes across very honest and caring.
He may be a millionaire footballer making personal investments in property, but he also looks out for his family and is securing his future post football, why can’t he be passionate about poverty too?

NerrSnerr · 02/01/2021 17:12

Come to say the same as the others. @sst1234 do you really think Marcus Rashford is talentless with a flagging career? Do you genuinely think that's why he has campaigned so much this year? He earns about £200,000 a week for his football- he doesn't need any PR to raise his profile.

PapsofJura · 02/01/2021 17:17

Wow OP that’s harsh against Marcus Rashford who appears to be doing something genuinely good and from his own personal experience.

elessar · 02/01/2021 17:21

I agree with you about Meghan and Harry, and others - not Marcus Rashford though, I think he's in a different category.

But yes for others, absolutely! It irks me somewhat when you see praise being heaped on certain celebs because they've turned up to 'help' a charity for ten minutes (and brought their own photographers to capture their selflessness and philanthropy, in order to promote them to the world). And using charity as a platform for self promotion in general.

It's a fine line because of course it's good to use a large platform to raise awareness for a charity, but there's definitely ways and means to do it, and you can tell the difference between those who genuinely care and those for whom it's all about self promotion.

There also seems to be a lot of dodgy goings on with some of these self styled 'celebrity philanthropists' who have foundations set up in their name. Not a lot of transparency about how much actually gets given to the charity vs. Being used to fund their luxury lifestyle.

Bigpaintinglittlepainting · 02/01/2021 17:21

I disagree about Marcus Rashford and also Kim Kardashian west, she’s married to a black man who cane from a poor upbringing, she’s interested in the mass incarceration problem in America, mainly black men. I can she how she has got invested in it.

Bigpaintinglittlepainting · 02/01/2021 17:22

Came !

nosswith · 02/01/2021 17:23

I disagree OP about your thoughts on Marcus Rashford, but he is the exception to a general rule which applies to many so-called 'celebrities'.

Mind you, it's not just about this that people are naive. Remember the side of a bus in 2016?

FangsForTheMemory · 02/01/2021 17:26

You're talking as though every celebrity who uses their fame and money to do good is the same as every other. Marcus Rashford is an exemplary bloke. Dolly Parton is another who comes to mind - she's spent millions helping people from the same sort of background as herself

You need to have a look at why you are to cynical.

Tier4billion · 02/01/2021 17:29

Echo everything be else on Marcus Rashford. However I think the same can be said for almost any “business” (and a lot of celebs are basically a business).

Additionally why so bitter about it? If a celeb wants to attach themselves to a worthy cause, they shine a light on it which helps. And it’s not exactly new either - Bandaid was was 40 years ago.

IntermittentParps · 02/01/2021 17:43

Kim kardashian is of Armenian heritage, I think, and is involved in awareness raising of the ongoing conflict there. I barely know who she is but a lot of people follow her, and if it means they/we learn more about the issue then good on her.

Rashford can reach and speak to demographics that many other people would not. I’m not even going to bother addressing the ‘talentless’ comment in respect to him.

BonnieDundee · 02/01/2021 17:52

I think you're right with many but way off the mark withMarcus Rashford. so many parents must have had one less worry due to that young man who really didn't need to do what he did. He is still VERY relevant in his day job. Would love him to go into politics when he eventually stops playing football.

HeadNorth · 02/01/2021 17:57

OP, you seem incredibly naive called Marcus Rashford talentless and PR obsessed. I think this was a veiled excuse for yet another anti Meghan thread - there are many other places on Mumsnet for that particular brand of nastiness.

longwayoff · 03/01/2021 08:54

Marcus Rashford is an excellent person. Good luck to him in all his endeavours. On the other hand OP, have you seen the Carol Middleton thread on here? You may have a point.

Terracottasaur · 03/01/2021 09:31

Imagine thinking Marcus Rashford was talentless 🤣

Meepmeeep · 03/01/2021 09:38

Marcus Rashford talentless with a flagging career - I’m sure even City fans would disagree with that bitter statement. Footballers are constantly criticised for not being aware of what’s going on in the real world yet one dedicates his time to try and help children and he’s slagged off. Can’t make it up. Poor example there.

chipsandpeas · 03/01/2021 09:38

who cares if its just PR for the celeb if it helps people
kim k im not a fan but i gather shes helped get someone out of jail who was very harshly sentenced for first time offence, shes called out human righ abuses in armenia may be more

and marcus rashford is on a different league

YesIDoLoveCrisps · 03/01/2021 09:42

Marcus Rashford helped hungry children living in poverty because he was was a hungry child living in poverty. He deserves thanks and respect for what he’s done. Remember many politicians voted against helping those children and he fought to help them.

SantasBritchesSpelleas · 03/01/2021 09:42

I don't really follow celebrities at all, but surely doing something for charity is better than doing nothing, even if there is an associated PR benefit for the celebrity.

Vindo · 03/01/2021 09:46

Generally speaking I do agree with you, but I wouldn't really put Marcus R in the category you are describing.

Dyrne · 03/01/2021 09:50

You’ve chosen some really odd examples there OP - everyone you’ve mentioned has examples of where they’ve made a massive impact and done some real good with their charity work.

Why not mention the likes of Bono, Angelina Jolie etc?

Now if we all think very hard, I think we may be able to figure out the demographics at play here...

AnyFucker · 03/01/2021 09:56

Oh dear. Epic fail, op

EngineeringFix · 03/01/2021 09:58

But everyone likes Marcus Rashford.

Egads · 03/01/2021 09:59

@sst1234 you added Rashford very deliberately.

Agree with @Dyrne..

TheQueef · 03/01/2021 10:03

Obviously missed the hat trick

user1471565182 · 03/01/2021 10:06

Interesting combination of people.....

What do you think of Dianne Abbott Op?

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