The Most Overexposed Celebrities

Forbes - March 27, 2008 3:55 PM PDT
Story photo: The Most Overexposed CelebritiesX17Forbes
Not all press is good press, no matter what the publicists say.

Consider celebutante Paris Hilton, whose every move from club hopping to friend feuding has grabbed gobs of tabloid ink. But rather than adoration for the "Simple Life" star, the media onslaught has resulted in eye rolls -- and worse.

According to studies by Los Angeles-based E-Poll Market Research, which provides appeal rankings for more than 3,000 celebrities, 70% of the U.S. population would use the term "overexposed" to describe Hilton, up slightly from a year earlier.

To put that in perspective, most celebrities average between 3% and 7% at the peak of their careers.

In Pictures: The Most Overexposed Celebrities


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But Hilton isn't the only star to have worn out her public welcome. Among others of whom audiences have tired: Britney Spears, Lindasay Lohan, and the ever-present Olsen twins.

While overexposure may have less to do with the precise number of headlines than with the public's perception of the celebrity, the 15 stars on our list have proved that familiarity can -- and does -- breed contempt.

So who's to blame? The stars or the tabloids that cover them?

E-Poll Chief Executive Gerry Philpott says the press can only build somebody up or tear somebody down so much. He argues that the 24/7 attention provided by the Internet expedites the fame trajectory -- and the exposure that comes along with it.

The result: "You can go from zero to 60 in exposure like that," he says. "And, for that matter, 60 to zero."

Take "The Hills" bad boy Spencer Pratt, who comes in at No. 11 on our list. When we ran this list last year, the general public knew little of the MTV reality star or the feuds he caused.

Fast-forward to 2008, and the controversial beau of Heidi Montag, best friend turned enemy of "The Hills" star Lauren Conrad, is headlining both the glossies and the blogs, even scoring an advice column in Radar magazine.

That kind of attention can be a turnoff for some stars, especially those like Tom Cruise or Lindsay Lohan, who are looking for respect as artists.

But for others, like Pratt and Montag, overexposure may not be a bad thing, opines Jake Halpern, author of "Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truth Behind America's Favorite Addiction." For these stars, Halpern says, it's all they have. And more important, without it they cease to be celebrities.

"You're only a celebrity as long as you're in the dialogue of popular culture," he explains. And if you don't have your work, be it a movie or album, to keep you in that dialogue, you are forced to rely on exposure.

Former Playboy Playmate Pamela Anderson, who ranks fourth on our list, is another example. Without the acting career she hoped would take off -- Anderson's most recent flick, "Blond and Blonder," bombed -- it's her tabloid presence care of multiple marriages (and divorces) and provocative ways that continues to open doors for her celebrity.

But how easy is it to win back the people's favor, and thus the press', once you've lost it?

Very, according to Philpott. "In this country, we love to build people up, tear them down and then build them back up again," he says.

But Ellis Cashmore, author of "Celebrity Culture," argues that staging a comeback is far easier for some than it is for others. The dividing point, he claims, is talent. And without it, he questions what the celebrity can come back with.

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  • Britney needs to focus on herself, her children, and screw everything else right now. Get off the drugs, stay away from men, and do THE RIGHT THING! Who cares how much you have! Money cannot buy you love or happiness- right! Can't you see that! Grow up!
    report abuseposted April 23, 2008 11:39 AM PDT
  • roxytlks
    you know britney has done some terrible things in her life but shes trying really hard you can totally tell she is!! it just doesnt seem like sometimes!!
    report abuseposted April 13, 2008 2:54 PM PDT
  • Trerisa
    cool i just knew hilton wuld b on
    report abuseposted April 7, 2008 1:16 AM PDT
  • sadnah p
    hey bittany needs to get back on track her kids need her she improve alot so a big hug luv ya
    report abuseposted April 5, 2008 3:10 PM PDT
  • ca_crisp
    i love brit and she is like my idol so i wish people would just shut there mouths about her and leave her alone.
    report abuseposted April 4, 2008 11:52 AM PDT
  • fashion_chic1019
    i like her song: piece of me. : )
    report abuseposted April 3, 2008 4:08 PM PDT
  • Fed
    This is Tom and I am NOT a freak!!When the aliens come from planet Xenon and see that I am the highest rank of Thetan YOU will all bow down and Worship ME!! You will all be sorry earthlings!!! I can only tolerate your human insults for so long earth dwellers!!Do NOT incur my wrath!!! I will assault you with another box office bomb and you will know who is your master!!!!
    report abuseposted April 3, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
  • susan s
    yes I agree about tom people should respect him. I do very much so, he is a great actor, and a great person. susie k stassi,
    report abuseposted April 2, 2008 9:24 PM PDT
  • domigit
    It's the media such as Yahoo making articvles like this which fuels the celebrities more. You (the media) are only exposing them more by releasing articles like this. Eventually, someone needs to get the idea through their heads that no one cares how much exposure they get. Do you think 1/2 the celebrities in Hollywood would be this outrageous if we paid no attention to them whatsoever?
    report abuseposted April 1, 2008 3:21 PM PDT
  • maardy
    Pliz do put urself together again I"am a big fan of u!!! Ask the Loard to guide u every single breath u take!!! n notce the differents.......NO'AIA' E MAURI!!
    report abuseposted April 1, 2008 2:15 PM PDT
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