Celebrity 'beards'

[Z]

What do you think of this phenomenon? Is it justifiable for celebrities to have fake relationships in order to protect or advance their career interests? Although the term beard is generally applied to closeted homosexual celebrities pretending to be romantically linked to someone of the opposite sex, I'd like to open the discussion up to other career enhancing fake relationships (or rumoured fake relationships) too. Do you think there's no harm in it; it's mutually beneficial for all involved? Do you think it's damaging to the people involved; are there wider ramifications for other people, like if one or both of the people in the fake relationship wants to pursue a real relationship? Can it affect an entire group of people (e.g. the LGBT community) if people are perpetuating fake relationships?

[Firewire]

it's not a good thing that people still need to hide who they really are, it's 2014 for goodness sake

[Marsh.]

I think it is justifiable if they're protecting their career but it is also damaging, like a vicious circle. They hide because they fear the rejection but by hiding they're not exactly helping to change attitudes.

Simon Cowell's surrogate is a very obvious beard.

[Z]

What do you think about the people who accept the role? Is it any different from acting in a film? They're being paid to play a part, technically, but then there's the issues of lying and it could be seen as immoral - what do you think?

[Marsh.]

I think it's very different to acting in a film. People believe it's real for starters.

[Z]

What do you think about fake relationships more along the lines of 'showmances' that we'd see in Big Brother for example - C-list celebrities pretending to date each other in order to secure magazine deals and boost both of their profiles; do you think that's harmful or do you think it's different from 'beards' because while there are elements of lying and profit making involved, it's fundamentally different? Or do you think both practices are similar enough that both should be condemned/both are okay?

[Marsh.]

I feel like I'm in a job interview and I'm under qualified. :sad:

[Z]

I feel like I'm in a job interview and I'm under qualified. :sad:

:laugh: Sorry marsh! I find it a very interesting subject... because it combines greed, deception and shame into one famous package :amazed:

[Marsh.]

:laugh:

Errr... I think the showmance stuff is wrong too in general but not as harmful in the sense that they are not necessarily covering up something about themselves which causes a great deal of pain for people in general.

So for example the lack of gay people in the public eye leads to self conscious teens not feeling "normal" and not having role models to look up to and leads to society not accepting it as a part of life but a showmance isn't really contributing to that unless it's to cover something else up.

It's 2.12 so I'm rambling here. It makes sense in my head.

[Z]

No I totally agree with you, makes perfect sense! But then I also think with showmances, they can be harmful in the sense that they're trying to sell this idea of perfect love to people when it's a complete lie - these are the sorts of fairytale relationships that get marketed to young girls in particular that can potentially influence young minds and set ridiculous, unattainable standards - canoodling on a beach pretending not to see the half dozen paparazzi guys and releasing joint statements about how they're going to have kids even though they've only been together for 2 months and having photo shoots for Hello! magazine...

But then that is, of course, different from lying about the nature of the relationship to 'protect' someone's sexuality... like boy band members - people get trapped in the closet because the PR machine makes money out of them being marketed as single and heterosexual and available, so perhaps they decide to hire a 'beard' so they can at least make some kind of profit out of their situation, except that makes it worse, as you said, because they're trapping themselves in this cycle... it's very sad to see how these people come out in later life and 1) nobody's shocked and 2) nobody cares... e.g. Lance Bass. Why didn't he admit it when he was at the height of his fame when he could have been influential and a good role model? Probably for a variety of reasons... but now he looks sad and desperate to keep his name in the headlines.

[Marsh.]

Yeah, it's another section of the fame game that is just sad and desperate and really show how a "harmless lie" can have awful consequences. You can't live life a second time and spending it living a lie must be exhausting.

[Ammi]

..hmm, I'm not sure that I understand the need to do it..I know 'back in the day' of glamour movie stars, 'Hollywood heart-throbs' were presented and promoted in a certain way, so many were forced to hide their sexuality and also to hide marriages as well in case they lost some of their popularity and saleability for the movie companies if they were either homosexual or married..they had to fit a Hollywood stereotype...but there is no stereotype of a Hollywood movie star anymore, I don't think...so I don't understand why there is a need to hide who they are..unless maybe, it's something that they themselves are not comfortable with..?...

...BB housemates etc...one of my pet hates in BB is showmances, it really spoils it for me because it takes up so much airtime...but I guess that I do understand it in a way because most BB housemates have a very limited popularity/celebrity/publicity time after they leave the house, so a showmance will probably be the way that they can make the most out of it in terms of earning etc...

[arista]

What do you think of this phenomenon? Is it justifiable for celebrities to have fake relationships in order to protect or advance their career interests? Although the term beard is generally applied to closeted homosexual celebrities pretending to be romantically linked to someone of the opposite sex, I'd like to open the discussion up to other career enhancing fake relationships (or rumoured fake relationships) too. Do you think there's no harm in it; it's mutually beneficial for all involved? Do you think it's damaging to the people involved; are there wider ramifications for other people, like if one or both of the people in the fake relationship wants to pursue a real relationship? Can it affect an entire group of people (e.g. the LGBT community) if people are perpetuating fake relationships?


This is not a Serious Debate Zee.
What the Feck are you playing at?

[thesheriff443]

this is the way I see it,
celebrities advertise brands and goods, some take a big mouthful of cow piss and tell you how they never felt better after discovering it!

if you then want to believe that than more fool you.

I don't live my life by what so called celebs are doing.

[thesheriff443]

This is not a Serious Debate Zee.
What the Feck are you playing at?

this is not zee's thread
what the feck are you playing at?

[arista]

this is not zee's thread
what the feck are you playing at?


It Fecking is
Zee is Z


he is a former mod so got a fast tracked name change


But the Point is why post it in this section?

[Jake.]

I thought that this was going to be about actual beards :(

[Kyle]

To be honest I'd like to know who even gives a toss who celebrities date whether it's fake or not.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I think Simon Cowell went too far with the baby tho

[Shaun]

I think Simon Cowell went too far with the baby tho

:laugh:

[Iceman]

It Fecking is
Zee is Z


he is a former mod so got a fast tracked name change


But the Point is why post it in this section?

It's fine in this section.

[Ninastar]

I love talking about this because its something i know quite a lot about... I don't know about others, but i can spot a hollywood 'it couple' and know straight away if its real or fake (tbh its not hard, 95% of the time it's fake)

People wonder why these actors/singers/whoevers need to beard... Well it's mainly because a lot of the world is still pretty homophobic (and this isn't even just the redneck southern states... we're talking about places where it's illegal to be gay) and it's to protect them from abuse. People who have come out have received death threats for inspiring people to do the same. Its not pretty and tbh I don't blame them for not wanting to come out.

Another reason is quite simply... Hollywood, the most awful, sexist, racist and homophobic industry to ever exist and it's sad because people look at it and think it's a city of dreams. WELL IT'S NOT! How many main roles are played by women of colour? Or older than 50? or women who aren't straight? Think of all the films and all the options possible for main characters/relationships and how many of them are your typical white/young/straight female... Producers don't hire 'controversial' (aka big gay) actresses because they don't want the chance that they could affect the success of the film/whatever it is

you're probably wondering why i'm only talking about women and it's pretty simple. a guy can take off his shirt in a film trailer and millions of people will want to watch the film. It's harder for women in hollywood, never mind the non-straight ones, and a lot of the time they beard to get more well known.

Bearding isn't just about hiding the gayness (but it mainly is, lets be real) it's also for people to get more well known/out there

one of my fave (ex fave actually, she's a hoe now) actresses is getting 'married' to a guy she's known for less than a year. It's embarrassing and sad to watch because she used to be a big supporter of the gay community.

[Marsh.]

Which actress is this?

[Ninastar]

****ing massive photo

but here

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/gallery/naya-rivera/naya-rivera.jpg

[Roy Mars III]

i would kill to be her beard

[Ninastar]

same

but sadly unless i get a sex change, it wont work

[Marsh.]

Oh, so she's a lesbian? (Doesn't know who she is :laugh:)

[King Gizzard]

Can't look into this/google it without google just bringing up pictures of literally bearded celebrities

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://www.sadanduseless.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/b1.jpg

[Ninastar]

Oh, so she's a lesbian? (Doesn't know who she is :laugh:)

dont know if shes full on lesbian but she's been linked to some girls in the past. there was even photos but her management managed to take them down

[Z]

I put it in Serious Debates because I wanted people to debate it, arista.

I think it brings up a lot of moral debates when you think about it. Is the person hiring someone to mask their sexuality a coward or are they being clever to advance their career prospects? Or is it both or neither? And is the person being hired taking advantage and perpetuating the myth that gay people shouldn't come out, or are they just making their way in the world and helping someone out (for a financial incentive, of course)?

And then with other types of fake romances, are they adding to the problematic, intrusive nature of media? So many of these fake romances are just engineered to gain publicity for both parties (e.g. Taylor Swift and Harry Styles) - it's not just limited to Z-listers trying to get a mention in the Sun. Or do you think that it's a form of professional networking like you would see in other professions - be seen with certain people in order to be introduced to other people, making connections and building up a name for yourself? It's very difficult to even slightly break into any of the fame industries, let alone become a media fixture - so they'll do anything within their power to get there. Is that acceptable or should that practice be discouraged?

[Ninastar]

funny how almost all of taylor swifts boyfriends seem gay, isn't it?

[Z]

funny how almost all of taylor swifts boyfriends seem gay, isn't it?

I know... I mean it's a mutually beneficial thing - the more famous men she's linked with, the more man hating anthems she can release to popular approval; and any guy linked with her gets this unofficial "oh he's been with her so he's definitely not gay" stamp which is a pretty good way to hide in plain sight. But of course the whole thing will come crashing down if any of her 'ex boyfriends' comes out in the near future... there're probably contracts in place to make sure that doesn't happen any time soon.

[Ninastar]

I know... I mean it's a mutually beneficial thing - the more famous men she's linked with, the more man hating anthems she can release to popular approval; and any guy linked with her gets this unofficial "oh he's been with her so he's definitely not gay" stamp which is a pretty good way to hide in plain sight. But of course the whole thing will come crashing down if any of her 'ex boyfriends' comes out in the near future... there're probably contracts in place to make sure that doesn't happen any time soon.

oh yeah, i forgot about the contract thing in my long ass rant!!!

but yeah, you're right. sometimes contracts can stop you from coming out because you're supposed to 'avoid major controversy' at all costs and stuff...

[arista]

I put it in Serious Debates because I wanted people to debate it, arista.

I think it brings up a lot of moral debates when you think about it. Is the person hiring someone to mask their sexuality a coward or are they being clever to advance their career prospects? Or is it both or neither? And is the person being hired taking advantage and perpetuating the myth that gay people shouldn't come out, or are they just making their way in the world and helping someone out (for a financial incentive, of course)?

And then with other types of fake romances, are they adding to the problematic, intrusive nature of media? So many of these fake romances are just engineered to gain publicity for both parties (e.g. Taylor Swift and Harry Styles) - it's not just limited to Z-listers trying to get a mention in the Sun. Or do you think that it's a form of professional networking like you would see in other professions - be seen with certain people in order to be introduced to other people, making connections and building up a name for yourself? It's very difficult to even slightly break into any of the fame industries, let alone become a media fixture - so they'll do anything within their power to get there. Is that acceptable or should that practice be discouraged?


Well a Mod Backs you Spunky Zee


I just think so many will joke about it
which is why General Chat would be my choice alone
to post this.

[King Gizzard]

funny how almost all of taylor swifts boyfriends seem gay, isn't it?

thought it was quite odd when her and Ed Sheeran weren't meant to be seeing each other when they don't suit each other at all

[Z]

Well a Mod Backs you Spunky Zee


I just think so many will joke about it
which is why General Chat would be my choice alone
to post this.

I don't think people have joked about it in the thread though, I posted a lot (:laugh:) of different questions and aspects of the debate to try and get it going, which generally is what to do if you want to get a debate going.. if I'd wanted a joke thread I'd have put it in C&G

[GypsyGoth]

Right up until Ellen Page came out, some parts of the media had her dating Alexander Skarsgard. The actors (who are friends) achieved this by going to some basketball games together and just hanging out. The celeb gossips just made up a relationship because they were sighted together, they didn't even have to kiss hug or hold hands to get the lie going.

I think that's the more tame side of bearding, it's just friends helping each other out, and although it's not directly for money, it does increase their chances of getting offered more for their next film, or even getting offered a next film at all.

But the other side of bearding, the one created by PR teams, to keep the likes of male rappers and female leading ladies appearing as hetro to the majority of the music buying and cinema going public. I think as mentioned by Caitlin, it's a symptom of an ill hollywood/music industry. And I think it's purely because of the large amounts of money at stake.

Strangely it doesn't seem to be in the medias interest to expose these or search out the truth in the celeb pairing they're presented with. I guess they might not want to bite the hand that feeds them.

And lastly I believe the showmances in the likes of BB are less sinister, as both people are pretty much complicit in the attempt in getting money out of the media.

[Z]

That's an interesting point, isn't it GG... you'd think it would be right up the media's street to have a big exposé - but then I guess it benefits them to have made up relationships to write **** about? There must be a fine line... if a certain celebrity is acting out of line, maybe they get revenge by outing the lies?

[GiRTh]

Whos the girl in the pic and is she a lesbian?

Its kind of understandable if it a celeb who doesnt anticipate any kind of longevity but when someone has been around for 10+ years with rumours flying around it becomes a bit embarrassing to maintain the facade *cough* Declan Donnely *cough*

[Marsh.]

I don't think Declan Donnelly comes across gay at all. :laugh:

[GiRTh]

Apparently Dec is dating his manager. Check out the 'chemistry' in these pictures.

http://celebbuzze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/dec-donnelly-and-girlfriend-ali-astall.html

[Ammi]

Apparently Dec is dating his manager. Check out the 'chemistry' in these pictures.

http://celebbuzze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/dec-donnelly-and-girlfriend-ali-astall.html


....hmmmm...

[Marsh.]

I don't get it. Do they have to have sex on the grass whilst walking the dog to convince people they have "chemistry"? :laugh:

[Ninastar]

Whos the girl in the pic and is she a lesbian?

Its kind of understandable if it a celeb who doesnt anticipate any kind of longevity but when someone has been around for 10+ years with rumours flying around it becomes a bit embarrassing to maintain the facade *cough* Declan Donnely *cough*

the one i posted? naya rivera, i posted a little bit about her and her past... its not known if shes a lesbian or not but there's enough proof out there that she isn't straight

[GiRTh]

I don't get it. Do they have to have sex on the grass whilst walking the dog to convince people they have "chemistry"? :laugh:Yes. :pipe:

[Jarrod]

Louis Tomlinson and Eleanor Calder... So much speculation about this.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/31/article-2152555-1360AC52000005DC-469_634x811.jpg

[thesheriff443]

sorry arista for saying this was not z's thread.
z, why have you got mtvn under z?

[Ninastar]

Louis Tomlinson and Eleanor Calder... So much speculation about this.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/31/article-2152555-1360AC52000005DC-469_634x811.jpg

i wouldnt be surprised if all the boys were in fake relationships tbh

I dont think Perrie/Zayn is real

[Z]

I think Perrie/Zayn is an engineered relationship too but I think he's heterosexual, it was just to combine Syco's two money earners and their fan bases, in order to get girls to buy into Little Mix.

[Ninastar]

^ i thought he came out as bi...? if not, it was a big enough rumour to get him to be in a fake relationship anyway

[Z]

Oh really? I don't know, I honestly don't read any media stuff on a regular basis so the goings on of their lives aren't something I know very much about. Definitely a lot of suspect relationships in the One Direction camp anyway.

[King Gizzard]

Incredibly jealous of Zayn though

[Ninastar]

^ same

[Z]

Perrie's hot

[GiRTh]

Perrie's hotAll four are hot.

[Ninastar]

^ very true

[Marsh.]

Zayn/Perrie is definitely not real.

It couldn't be more of an obvious stunt to raise Little Mix's profile in the US if they tried.

[Kizzy]

What's in it for the beard, won't it stop them from having a normal fulfilling relationship?
Is it all about money, status or don't they ever know they are 'beards'?

[Nedusa]

Wow...nearly 60 replies on a thread about people growing beards !!!!

Must be a slow news day .

[Z]

What's in it for the beard, won't it stop them from having a normal fulfilling relationship?
Is it all about money, status or don't they ever know they are 'beards'?

Money, status, advancing your career... e.g. Kristen Stewart/Robert Pattinson - I don't know if either of them are homosexual but there's definitely zero chemistry between them, clearly just a relationship engineered to get more people to buy into the whole Twilight Saga. Then you get incidents like Kristen Stewart being caught cheating with that married man and she gets an absolute roasting in the media - although what she did was wrong, if she's not really dating Robert Pattinson then it's obviously a bit crap for her that she was being slated for cheating on him with a married man - obviously seeing a married man is wrong anyway, but it's not as bad as both of them cheating on significant others... so yes it does stop them from having normal relationships. I'd look at Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes as another example of a fake relationship... all speculation of course.

[Ninastar]

^ i think they both huge gays

especially k stew

[Marsh.]

Yeah, no doubt Katie Holmes had to sign all kinds of agreements/contracts when she'd finally had enough of Tom Cruise. Regardless of if he's gay or their relationship was fake, he's definitely involved with some strange groups of people.

[Z]

I mean for some actors/actresses it's the highest paid role they'll ever have in their career, they just have to be seen in public with this person and be photographed with them, it's very easy money really. It's very deceptive and a bit dodgy on the one hand... but then why is that the case? Is it because the media reports it as true and we, the public, assume that it must be and then feel lied to when we discover otherwise? We don't know these people personally, it shouldn't matter what they do and who they do it with...

[Marsh.]

I mean for some actors/actresses it's the highest paid role they'll ever have in their career, they just have to be seen in public with this person and be photographed with them, it's very easy money really. It's very deceptive and a bit dodgy on the one hand... but then why is that the case? Is it because the media reports it as true and we, the public, assume that it must be and then feel lied to when we discover otherwise? We don't know these people personally, it shouldn't matter what they do and who they do it with...

Well yeah, most of them are just allowing the media to assume things which they do anyway regardless of if it was intentional.