Little red look

Picture this: You’re walking down the streets of Beijing, minding your own business, not paying much attention to anything, when all of a sudden you see the imperious gaze and the unmistakable balding head of Chairman Mao.\nYup, that’s right. Chairman Mao. You thought he was dead, didn’t you? Well he is, but Chen Yan of southern China is bringing him back to life on a daily basis by impersonating the former Chinese leader in everything from clothing to bifocals. And did I mention that Chen is a woman? Accurate down to the smallest detail, she spends as much as 800 yuan on makeup and styling to create Mao’s famous receding hairline.\nChen said sporting her bizarre ensemble on a daily basis is all about seeking fame, a goal which she is certain she will achieve someday.\nKind of creepy, huh? \nAlthough we may not routinely impersonate dead Marxist leaders, every one of us has wanted to be famous at some point in our lives. Kids dress as movie stars every Halloween, and teenagers dream of someday capturing the heart of hunky Brad Pitt (you know he and Angelina Jolie can’t last much longer).\nAnd then there’s reality TV. It never ceases to amaze me how many Americans are willing to humiliate themselves on national television by simultaneously dating 57 potential mates or by eating sauteed head lice in return for a little public recognition.\nAmerican culture not only condones but encourages attention-getting public antics. But what is our fascination with fame? Surely it isn’t the total lack of privacy or the hectic schedules that drive stars to become heroin addicts. People certainly do not lust after fame because they want to spend their lives fleeing the relentless flashbulbs of the paparazzi who desire nothing more than to bring stars ruin.\nNo, we usually ignore all of that. Instead, it’s the big bucks and the hordes of adoring fans that we want, and we are willing to disregard the fact that an A-lister will never be able to enjoy the simple pleasure of leaving the house donning sweats and extreme bedhead. \nWhat it comes down to is that the glitzy appeal of the Hollywood life is overrated. Fame may seem like a worthy aspiration, but there are, as always, trade-offs. Auditioning for “Pants-off Dance-off” might seem like a good idea, but it will probably not bring you personal fulfillment. Besides, if we are always coveting the glamour of Hollywood, we will never be content with our own lives. \nSo before you go out and buy a swim cap to emulate Britney Spears’ bald look, ask yourself what compels you to lust after life in the spotlight. Sure, a little public embarrassment every now and then builds character, but there is a difference between that and abandoning your self-respect to play the fame game. As a society, we need to rethink our priorities before we sell our souls for a minute in the spotlight.