I'm absolutely fascinated with behind-the-scenes Hollywood. You can read all about celebrities in magazines but everything that happens backstage has always seemed so mysterious to me. I'd rather hear about how movies get made, what producers and agents do, how deals are made and films are written. So when I heard about this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
I think a lot of people think that being famous automatically equals being wealthy without wondering how celebrities actually get their money. In Celebrity, Inc. the author covers different ways celebs can get paid. There are chapters on:
*Baby pictures: how celebrities pit magazines against one another to bid for photos of their children
*Reality TV: how it works, what it takes to get on a show, how much of it is really real, etc.
*Weight loss: can you believe some people gain weight just so they can get paid to lose it in the spotlight?
*Celebutantes: people who are famous for being famous and how to turn fame into a career
*Perfume: ever wondered why there are so many celebrity perfumes out there and why they're marketed the way they are?
*Feuds: how launching a fight (even a fake one) with another celebrity can mean you both make more money
*Internet: how Ashton Kutcher pioneered on Twitter and how celebrities are getting paid to advertise online
*American Idol: all about the show and how it was created to make money, as well as the fame of those who do (and don't) win
*Charities: how celebrities use charities to boost their image
*Consistency: the importance of maintaining a consistent and reliable image to Hollywood success
*Fame after death: some deceased stars are making more money decades after their death than living ones.
It's easy to become somewhat disillusioned with Hollywood after reading this book. The overall impression is that being a celebrity is a job just like any other but it's also big business. I was surprised at some of the things celebrities do in order to make money or become famous, like marrying someone just because it's good for your "brand." This book will be a fascinating and eye-opening read for just about anyone.
