Icon or Idol?

“American Idol” is a reality show giving America the opportunity to find the next big thing. However maintaining status, be it iconic or idealistic, is harder than one seems to think it is, especially these days. Many modern day icons we know of, such as Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson, have held this lasting captivation over us and the world. They each had their own special something that burned into our minds and continues to last through generations. 

     Both Marilyn and Michael reached us through media, such as television, though they worked towards their fame and they worked hard to maintain it. These days, however, with peoples need for immediate gratification and the decline in the record industry due to lack of record sales, executives were looking for the new and better way to reach the masses. The concept of “American Idol” just seemed to fit. To have judges who are experienced in the field of music narrow down the search to a select few and then hand the reigns to the audience; to let them choose their new idol. With that people can’t make as much of a genuine connection as they have with major icons in the past. Sure, every audience member has their favorite but fan loyalty is dwindling these days and eventually they become one of many who fall off their cloud and back to the real world with the rest of us.

     I, personally, see how a show such as “American Idol” can put a clear difference into what actually makes an icon versus the term coined on the show, “idol”. There’s that little something that stands out among the rest. From Marilyn Monroe and her three quarter length gloves and Michael Jackson and his moonwalk. Even something as small as that can make an icon, an icon.

Browne, R.B. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture. Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Press.