By Zoey Joyce
Features Editor

The Golden Globes came and went on Sunday, Jan. 10. The popular media was focused on the red carpet and the celebrities that walked on it, such as Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. Social media was filled with images of the women in their dresses and various fans posing with their favorite celebrities. There was excitement around every corner.

How does this affect the general population? The children of today look up to current and previous celebrities. When looking at what people wanted to be in the past and what they want to be now, there is a major difference. Many children will say they want to be “famous.” Instead of being doctors, nurses and teachers, our children want to be the people they see in the movies and on television.

That is not a bad idea in most cases until celebrities set bad examples. Many teens and young adults watch shows like the VMAs and MTV. One such example would be the 2013 VMAs where Miley Cyrus appeared with Robin Thicke to perform Blurred Lines. She appeared in a nude colored bra and underwear. Dancing provocatively, Miley caused many to talk about her performance.

Even though celebrities like Miley Cyrus may share positive messages their actions speak loud with teens in the nation. Before the 2015 VMAs, Nicki Minaj got in a twitter fight with Taylor Swift over the nominees for awards at the VMAs. For weeks people based their opinions on the two celebrities on the content of the fight. Britney Spears was only 16 when she debut with “Baby One More Time” but it caused a new generation of style and trends. Britney Spears sparked the midriff style. She was heavily criticized by parents but it sparked a fashion trend. Politicians may have power over the laws of the nation but celebrities have power over culture.