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Trust Khosa 

In Hollywood, celebrity status comes with fame and public attention.

This form of attention is accorded to a person or a group of people by mass media.

Further research states that the same celebrity status can be ascribed, achieved or attributed.

In short, a celebrity gets lots of public attention or attention from others.

Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Sandra Bullock are some of the top-ranked celebrities in Hollywood we have known over the years.

In Zimbabwe, the debate has been raging on to ascertain whether we have own version of celebrities or not.

Some still argue that we don’t have celebrities on home turf,judging by international standards.

We seem to be copying everything foreign once we are propelled to acclaim.

However, we have outstanding personalities who command broad public attention, setting our local standards for celebrities.

Of course, they might not reached the level of Hollywood celebrities, but on home soil, we also have figures that command mass media attention.

Superstars Jah Prayzah, Madam Boss and Alick Macheso are some of the notable figures who easily turn heads on the streets.

On social media, the trio is among the famous people commanding a huge following.

In public, it’s very difficult for them to take a stroll on the streets without an escort.

Their public shows and events are well-attended while their influence among the young people who look up to them is hard to ignore.

Then, there is another version of influencers who don’t meet Hollywood standards, but still command a remarkable following. 

This new version is dominated by wannabes or attention-seekers who can pull all sorts of publicity stunts to remain relevant.

These wannabes (fele-brities) are usually hangers on or those enjoying close proximity to big spenders, who are also calling themselves celebrities.

It’s quite unfortunate that trying to be who you are not can be tortuous and tragic in life.

It can be taxing since it comes with serious consequences, which should be avoided at all costs.

Unfortunately, we still have people who go out of their way to please others by displeasing themselves.

In the long run, it breeds discomfort after periods of leading fake lifestyles.

Pretence has fuelled mental health challenges among wannabes of this world.

Zimbabwe has not been spared from this web, especially on the showbiz landscape.

Attention-seekers are the ones who have been hogging the limelight each time this subject is brought to the fore. 

To be precise, a fake lifestyle has turned out to be a life sentence that haunts pretenders in the end.

Names that instantly come into mind are social media users Ginimbilite, DJ Towers and mostly former lovers/spouses of top celebrities.

Locally, spouses or former lovers of socialites have also been caught in this web.

Tallyn Ndudzo, the former wife to urban groves star Enock “Nox” Guni, appears to be riding on her ex’s fame.

Although she claims to have moved on, she has been going out of her way to get attention.

She recently shared her pictures being cozy with Skomota in the UK recently, sparking a public flurry on social media.

Tallyn basked in the Netizens debate and all this drama started after she split from the “Ndinonyara” hit-maker.

The same goes for Stunner’s baby mama, Dyonne Tafirenyika, another drama queen obsessed with attention.

The list of these wannabes is endless and leaves one wondering if locals are now obsessed with public attention.

Showbiz watchers, who spoke to The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle concurred that fake lifestyles have ruined many souls.

The critics indicated that leading a fake lifestyle is a clear sign of low self-awareness and self-esteem.

Fiery arts commentator, Clive “Mono” Mukundu, who boasts of over 30 years in the music industry, urged celebrities to shun a fake lifestyle.

“I’m one of the people who believes that Zimbabwe has its version of celebrities.

“Firstly, a celebrity is simply a person who is being celebrated for their achievements for example the likes of Jah Prayzah, Alick Macheso, Roki, and many others,” says Mukundu.

The former Black Spirits member, who vastly toured the globe with the late Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, says he has seen it all.

“Talking from my experience, I urge those guys who cannot handle the pressure that comes with being a celebrity to be humble.

“I have been mocked for using an ex-Japanese vehicle, but I don’t have a problem with that because that’s what I want to take me from one point to another.

“I don’t live a fake lifestyle, and I have never failed to pay my bills.”

He also noted that problems faced by celebrities were similar the world over.

“Living a fake lifestyle after gaining celebrity status has worsened mental health problems, not only in Zimbabwe, but internationally.

“We have case studies of international celebrities who are swimming in debt in a bid to upgrade their lifestyle.

“This can only be avoided if we all try to live normal lives because we are humans besides being celebrities,” he adds.

One top commenter who spoke on condition of anonymity, reckons leading a fake lifestyle is a recipe for disaster.

“This is the reason why some wannabes end up getting themselves into trouble as they want to maintain a fake lifestyle.

“Others end up looking for luck charms for riches to portray the lifestyles they live on social media. As a mother and counsellor, I advise celebrities to always live within their means and stop this practice because a fake lifestyle lacks substance.” 

She warned celebrities to concentrate on their work and manage fame.

“Fame comes with hard work, but it has to be managed, otherwise that is the reason most lads out there end up succumbing to stress-related challenges.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by decorated radio and television, Dr Rebecca Chisamba.

“The moment that the celebrity status gets into someone’s head, that will be the end of it.

“No matter how popular we become, we should never change our way of life and borrow money to buy luxuries to maintain unrealistic standards.

“I believe that one can be a celebrity and still remain humble and not change your skin colour or force yourself into debts,” she says.

Mai Chisamba, as the revered talkshow host is fondly known, warned wannabes to desist from lust.

“In life, we must not lead fake lifestyles and cut corners to be portrayed as rich people once we become celebrities.

“In life, we need to take one step at a time to build our empires, and still not be swayed by fame.

“You can still live a quiet life despite being a celebrity to avoid the pressure that comes with it. Mental health issues are rising as a result of failing to handle fame.”

Her advice comes at a time when some high-profile celebrities have been jailed for defrauding people to sustain their statuses.

Mental health issues among celebrities and wannabes have been rising as fake lifestyles are not sustainable.

Most celebrities are parading fake riches on social media, yet they are wallowing in poverty behind closed doors.

This practice has brought more pain than gain among wannabes.