Why is it ok to ask celery of celebrities?

[tribrats]

I saw a news article on my local news site that listed the highest paid celebrities of the year. Made me think. Why is that ok?! I would NEVER dream of asking someone how much they make.

I just don't understand why that's thought of as being acceptable.

I get why it is/should be public knowledge of voted/appointed officials but celebrities, no. There's no reason for it.

[MeatGrl1]

It's not they just think that 'celebrity' is a toy and they are not real people but they hurt, bleed and feel like everyone else ! I guess knowing that an artist has sold so many records and gone Platnum is different because it's an acheivemnent more than prying into the wage packet.
I don't get it yet sadly it draws in an audience and as long as those keep an interest they will keep on doing it !!

[tribrats]

Just noticed I spelled salary wrong in the title.

I bet the same ones that pry and report would get their undies in a bundle if they were asked their salary.

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by tribrats

Just noticed I spelled salary wrong in the title.

I bet the same ones that pry and report would get their undies in a bundle if they were asked their salary.

At least you didn't say celery!

[tribrats]

Originally Posted by suzieq

At least you didn't say celery!

[R.]

Originally Posted by suzieq

At least you didn't say celery!

Are you sure?

[PanicLord]

Originally Posted by tribrats

I saw a news article on my local news site that listed the highest paid celebrities of the year. Made me think. Why is that ok?! I would NEVER dream of asking someone how much they make.

I just don't understand why that's thought of as being acceptable.

I get why it is/should be public knowledge of voted/appointed officials but celebrities, no. There's no reason for it.

I've never understood that either although it is always fascinating to see eg Elton John making £20m in one year! There's no harm in asking but people should respect that the person being asked has the right to not answer.

[AndrewG]

I think it's an outrage myself, considering celery is sold in every major supermarket. I would hereby like to announce that I am willing to donate my weekly celery shopping to any celebrity who is need of it.

If we are talking salary:
For those making money from being in the limelight and earning over 7-8 figure salaries, the public knowing what you earn seems to me to be a VERY small price to pay.
In fact anyone can find out what someone earns, it's very easy, tax systems, salary brackets, estimations based on circumstances etc, etc.

Why should celebrities get special treatment and be excluded from scrutiny but let's say a public official not?

Do you honestly think a list like that is comprised out of editors ASKING what the celebrities earn?

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by MeatGrl1

I guess knowing that an artist has sold so many records and gone Platnum is different because it's an acheivemnent more than prying into the wage packet.

Why is gaining a certain level of salary not considered an achievement but record sales are? Do you prefer to live in a communist society?

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by PanicLord

I've never understood that either although it is always fascinating to see eg Elton John making £20m in one year! There's no harm in asking but people should respect that the person being asked has the right to not answer.

I don't have any particular interest in what they earn, any more than I'd expect them to be interested in my income. It's their business, unless we're talking about salaries funded from the public purse which are public knowledge anyway. And what the highly paid may earn is not what they actually get anyway, so all kinds of wrong assumptions get made.

Only thing noteworthy to me about Elton's earnings is that he continues to live in the UK and pays his taxes! Also he donates what he earns from singles direct to his charity. I don't think he's taken anything from singles sales for many years. So as to what he gets from other sources, good luck to him

Caryl

[MeatGrl1]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Why is gaining a certain level of salary not considered an achievement but record sales are? Do you prefer to live in a communist society?

Andrew I feel you misunderstood me, It is indeed an acheivement but speaking from myself who honestly doesn't earn that much considering yet if I were I personally wouldn't of wanted some jorno printing and splashing my millions for all to see, it's disrespectful and rude where as record sales of an artist is somewhat expected and comes with the territory.

[tribrats]

Originally Posted by R.

Are you sure?

[Sue K]

It's funny to me this topic has been brought up, because I was thinking about the poor reviews for Meat's AFL performance and I was wondering if perhaps the money he was reportedly paid didn't contribute to the freak out. I've seen bad reviews for Meat before but these really went over the top. I have some tucked away for a read when I have the chance, but I kept seeing the amount he was reportedly paid mentioned in the first paragraph of articles over and over again. I was going to post similar to what I'm saying here in the AFL thread, but I'm glad this thread regarding celebrity salaries was opened on Off Topic.

Thanks !

S ... xo

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by R.

Are you sure?

[JennaG]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

If we are talking salary:
For those making money from being in the limelight and earning over 7-8 figure salaries, the public knowing what you earn seems to me to be a VERY small price to pay.
In fact anyone can find out what someone earns, it's very easy, tax systems, salary brackets, estimations based on circumstances etc, etc.

For what celebrities get paid, I'd be fine with the public knowing. It's the price they pay for the many perks they get. It's obvious if someone becomes famous that there are going to be people that want to pry in to their private lives and ask questions but they don't HAVE to disclose that information.

[The Flying Mouse]

It's the obsession we have in our culture with celebrity and materialism.
It's not just celebrities that are put under the microscope over what they have in the bank, those rich lists come out every year (God only knows why) and also include business men and women who've made a bundle.

Blame it all on Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous

The one thing I don't understand (to go a little off the topic) is why people in showbiz are prime targets for charity work and support.

Don't get me wrong, i've nothing against it and i've certainly been asked to and done enough charity shows in my time (i'm starting to sound like Smashy and Nicey here ) but I don't know why it is people are more than ready to ask (sometimes pretty much demand) showbiz folk for their time and skills/talent/call it what you will for free (and on many occasions at cost to themselves) whereas the same people would never approach a builder, or a plummer, or an accountant and ask them to ply their trade for free.

I found it getting ridiculous when someone pretty much demanded that I do a free show for a very important charity.
Turns out it was to send a kids football team on holiday to France
No, they were not underprivileged.
No, they were not orphans.
No, they were not ill in any way.
The parents just wanted everyone else to pay for their kids holiday.

That said, I saw an old clip on TV recently of Bob Geldoff saying "there are people starving NOW, just give me the money" and I thought "use your own you rich p*ick"

[tribrats]

I'm going to presume for a moment that many of the numbers quoted are job prices (for example, from last weekend's appearance) and I wonder if any of those that make a point of quoting figures realize that money doesn't go to just one person.

I can't help but wonder if it ever crosses their minds that the money usually goes to employees, bills, equipment, maintenance, transportation, etc...

[Evil One]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

The one thing I don't understand (to go a little off the topic) is why people in showbiz are prime targets for charity work and support.

Don't get me wrong, i've nothing against it and i've certainly been asked to and done enough charity shows in my time (i'm starting to sound like Smashy and Nicey here ) but I don't know why it is people are more than ready to ask (sometimes pretty much demand) showbiz folk for their time and skills/talent/call it what you will for free (and on many occasions at cost to themselves) whereas the same people would never approach a builder, or a plummer, or an accountant and ask them to ply their trade for free.

I found it getting ridiculous when someone pretty much demanded that I do a free show for a very important charity.
Turns out it was to send a kids football team on holiday to France
No, they were not underprivileged.
No, they were not orphans.
No, they were not ill in any way.
The parents just wanted everyone else to pay for their kids holiday.

That said, I saw an old clip on TV recently of Bob Geldoff saying "there are people starving NOW, just give me the money" and I thought "use your own you rich p*ick"

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

The one thing I don't understand (to go a little off the topic) is why people in showbiz are prime targets for charity work and support.

Don't get me wrong, i've nothing against it and i've certainly been asked to and done enough charity shows in my time (i'm starting to sound like Smashy and Nicey here ) but I don't know why it is people are more than ready to ask (sometimes pretty much demand) showbiz folk for their time and skills/talent/call it what you will for free (and on many occasions at cost to themselves) whereas the same people would never approach a builder, or a plummer, or an accountant and ask them to ply their trade for free.

Celebrities are approached surely because rather than give a single donation, by giving their time and effort they can attract many other donations. And to be fair, many accountants give their services voluntarily to charities, and builders and plumbers are asked to undertake work for nothing in charitable building and renovation projects. I've provided services to charitable institutions, as have my colleagues. It's simply that no-one pays to watch accountants, consultants, plumbers or builders

I found it getting ridiculous when someone pretty much demanded that I do a free show for a very important charity.
Turns out it was to send a kids football team on holiday to France
No, they were not underprivileged.
No, they were not orphans.
No, they were not ill in any way.
The parents just wanted everyone else to pay for their kids holiday.

I can understand you felt that was over the line. And just as celebrities can refuse to answer questions on their earnings, so too they can pass on requests.

That said, I saw an old clip on TV recently of Bob Geldoff saying "there are people starving NOW, just give me the money" and I thought "use your own you rich p*ick"

Trust that was a joke. Geldorf's given huge amounts of time and effort, and would not have been able to donate the money he has managed to raise even if he gave away every penny he had and lived in a cardboard box. To use your name, your contacts and give tirelessly of your time and energy to harness the commitment of others and raise awareness is far more productive than simply writing a cheque

Caryl

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by tribrats

I'm going to presume for a moment that many of the numbers quoted are job prices (for example, from last weekend's appearance) and I wonder if any of those that make a point of quoting figures realize that money doesn't go to just one person.

I can't help but wonder if it ever crosses their minds that the money usually goes to employees, bills, equipment, maintenance, transportation, etc...

I think the simple answer to your question is that no, many don't. Envy is a ferocious master!

Caryl