Can celebrities really make a difference?

Cynicism, celebrities and charities – Maddy Fry thinks it’s time we let people get on with helping a good cause.

''It might be that I’m biased but I would not be here, writing these words now, if it were not for Bono of U2.''

2005 was undoubtedly the biggest year for celebrity-endorsed altruism since 1985 - the year of Live Aid. Its successor Live 8, and the accompanying Make Poverty History campaign, spawned a multitude of famous faces, from Chris Martin to Bono, and Mariah Carey to Ricky Gervais. They were all doing either one of two things, depending on which newspaper you read: working to unite us all together in a series of events that could’ve changed the world; or massaging their own egos in a shameless bid for attention and self-glorification.

Although I would be the first to admit that there are few things more infuriating than watching Mariah Carey pretending to give a damn whilst performing in benefit of Africa’s poor, I can’t count myself as one of the cynics when it comes to celebrity charitable initiatives. Celebrity activists get results, as the tireless work put in by Geldof, Bono, Richard Curtis and Bill Gates has shown. Sneer at the outcome of Live 8 if you will, but what was achieved in terms of aid and debt relief could not have been done without the huge amount of pressure that was exerted by Make Poverty History, a campaign whose popularity was brought about via celebrity endorsement.

Celebrities don’t just have the attention of decision-makers, but also of the wider population. The cult of the celebrity in the west is inescapable, even for those who abhor it. In an age when politicians are more and more distrusted, it seems people would rather listen to their favourite celebrity than to those in power and anyway, when it comes to celebrities, what would we rather? Those who remain indulgent and hedonistic or those who use their fame to entertain and educate?

It might be that I’m biased but I would not be here, writing these words now, if it were not for Bono of U2. His sheer passion and commitment to pursuing equality for those less fortunate persuaded me to get involved in social justice. I went from simply taking a passive interest in global issues to joining my school Amnesty group, hooking up with local Greenpeace activists, and becoming a campaigner, donor and volunteer for Oxfam. This is the main focus of my life, and I am now where many of us who are members of the likes of Generation Why are now: in it for good, regardless of who or what originally inspired us.

Celebrity activism may smack of insincerity at times but I can’t help but think that, if only the likes of 50 Cent and Eminem would speak out more about major world issues, then today’s lazy teenager could become tomorrow’s anti-poverty activist. If it goes some way towards making western culture - and particularly youth culture - less jaded, apolitical and apathetic, then that can’t be a bad thing.