Between Brexit, the climate crisis, and the present pandemic, one can be forgiven for feeling caught in an existential spiderweb. Yet, when artists switch genres – a celebrity picks up a pen and becomes a writer – it can be equally mindblowing.
Celebrity essays tackling the big and small issues – health, race politics, and social media– are infinitely more enjoyable to read. Sometimes, celebrities use their words to capture a moment or paint a picture as easily as they can light up a screen.
Here are some celebrity essays worth reading:
“My Medical Choice” – Angelina Jolie
In “My Medical Choice,” published in the New York Times, Angelina Jolie writes candidly about breast cancer. She mentions her mother dying of cancer at 56, prompting her decision to have a preventative double mastectomy.
In her essay, Jolie describes the rare gene BRCA1 that she inherited and how it increased her risk of breast cancer by 87 percent. Jolie chose to use her celebrity status to raise awareness, and the medical community lauded her for encouraging women to get breast cancer exams.
“The Meanings of the Selfie” – James Franco
Actor James Franco's essay, “The Meanings of the Selfie,” was published in The New York Times. He responds to the criticism he received for posting too many selfies on Instagram.
In this short essay, Franco explains how he uses the attention he gains from his pictures to bring attention to more important and meaningful things in life. Franco has mastered the art of social networking and understands what it means to be relevant in the age of social media.
An Open Letter to Miley Cyrus – Sinead O’Conner
Some celebrities take it upon themselves to educate younger stars on issues like Sinead O'Conner did with her open letter to Miley Cyrus in The Guardian in 2013.
O’Conner was prompted to write to Miley when the young star claimed to have been inspired by her 1990 music video for the song “Nothing Compares 2 U” when making her controversial video for her song “Wrecking Ball.” O’Conner warned Miley about the dangers of pimping herself. Using unsavory language, O’Conner told Miley that selling her body is selling out her talent.
Essay about his late mother in honor of American Heart Month – Carson Daly
In a moving essay, in TODAY, Daly recalled how his mom’s death caught him off guard, and in honor of American Heart Month, he opened up about Pattie’s death in 2017.
Daly shared the last text he received from his mom. Pattie had Type 1 diabetes but no heart problems, he said. He only found out later that the correlation between Type 1 diabetes and heart disease is very high.
The TODAY anchor wants people to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in America and wants to educate them about heart health.
“Stop Killing Us” – Beyoncé Knowles
Knowles penned a letter on her website on police brutality and the senseless murders of people of color. “Stop Killing Us” was her response to the deaths of two young black men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, at the police's hands in 2016.
The emotional essay, loaded with righteous anger, demanded that action be taken and that black lives be protected. Knowles wrote a similar letter to the Attorney General in June 2020 demanding justice for Breonna Taylor.
“Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co-Stars?” – Jennifer Lawrence
Lawrence’s essay “Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co-Stars?” appeared in Lena Dunham’s newsletter, Lenny.
In her essay, she lamented about the double standards in the workplace. She also questioned if women were conditioned to express their opinions in a way that didn’t offend or scare men. According to Lawrence, women feel like they have to overcompensate and underplay everything because everything they do or say in the workplace is taken out of proportion.
“Portrait of a Lady” by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s “Portrait of a Lady” appeared in Harpers Bazaar. People relate to her vulnerable writing.
In this essay, Lady Gaga talks about the standards against which women are measured. She explores the feeling of being insecure in their skin, expressing what is going on in their minds, and feeling shame for being different. This essay encourages people to embrace themselves.
“Matt Damon’s Marathon” – Matt Damon
Damon’s essay titled “Matt Damon’s Marathon” was published in the Boston Globe and recounts his nostalgia for the event’s earlier days. The memoir was penned weeks before the Boston bombings.
It is one of the best essays about life and the changes in the marathon. Damon describes his father’s running strategy, blow by blow, and you can practically see Damon cheering his father on as he makes his way over the course. This heart-warming essay triggers a longing for the good old days.
“I am Over Staying Silent About Depression” – Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell’s essay on depression appeared in Time. Her gift for words raises awareness on a topic that many people steer clear of.
With her knack for making people laugh, she eases the tension created by the mere mention of the term depression. She writes about the stigma attached to mental illness and reveals that she struggled with mental health issues for 15 years, and even if people don't want to talk about it, it is real. She assures readers that there is nothing weak about struggling with the illness.
“The Death of My Father” – Steve Martin
“The Death of My Father” is a sobering reflection by comedic actor Steve Martin about his family relationships. He also finds the threads that tie them together.
Martin writes about his strained relationship with his father, his father’s difficulty in accepting his son’s comedic antics, and his father’s stinging criticism of Martin’s career. He also narrates the last days of his father’s life, including the final words and reconciliations they exchanged. The beautiful piece of writing serves to remind its readers of the importance of forgiveness.
Lastly, stars are people like you and I. They have thoughts and feelings too, and some can express themselves pretty darn good.
