Celebrity shuffle

Calls to protect celebrities from the attentions of press photographers at Los Angeles International Airport are unnecessary and may not be welcomed by those ‘stars’ the proposal seeks to protect, claims aviation correspondent Michael Sterling.

Los Angeles is the city of angels, but not of saints. The steady flow of celebrities from rock stars to Hollywood actors has ensured many an unholy scene at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as paparazzi and fascinated onlookers try to get a glimpse of a Britney Spears, Michael Jackson or Tom Cruise. A police escort is not enough to stop a minor riot as photographers jostle and fight for that perfect shot of the star of the moment.

Sometimes it becomes just plain silly, as in the recent incident when the crowd and photographers mistook someone else for Britney Spears’ younger sister, while the real sibling headed out the backdoor. But it can turn violent as with rapper Kanye West in September who was involved in a confrontation with photographers in which punches were exchanged and cameras smashed.

Celebrity handbagging

And it is not just male celebrities who resort to violence, actress Sienna Miller reportedly recently ‘handbagged’ a paparazzi with a US$1,295 pink Marc Jacobs designer bag.

The more cynical would say that the whole business of publicity for celebrities is a well-honed business with thousands of dollars being spent on providing the right reception for stars at the airport terminal. The Beatles started it with their arrival in America to crowds of screaming fans at American airports in 1964.

Los Angeles city councilman Bill Rosendahl, whose district includes LAX, has called for restrictions on growing crowds of paparazzi prowling the airport and says more should be done to shield famous people. “This is the capital of the entertainment industry and celebrities are a treasure that we need to protect. The paparazzi are completely out of control.

First amendment rights are one thing, but it’s a complete intrusion when they’re in someone’s face, taking pictures and asking questions after a long flight. It’s totally inappropriate.”

Safety zone

He’s suggested a safety zone around celebrities to stop unwanted harassment, fashioned after measures used to protect politicians and foreign dignitaries. This police escort service could be extended to celebrities, he suggests.

But the theatre of celebrity has started to lose its shine in the cash-strapped era of the credit crunch.

The trouble is that the Airport Police Dignitary Protection Unit, which has only six officers, would be stretched to provide this sort of service to a growing number of minor to major celebrities that pass through LAX.

“We have enough dignitaries coming through LAX without having to deal with celebrities. That is not their role and I don’t even think it will ever happen,” says LAX spokeswoman Nancy Castles.

Shouldn’t the money instead be spent on protecting the general public from terrorists and real criminals? In some cases a well-photographed tussle with paparazzi provides just the sort of publicity to rescue a flagging career or propel a minor B-league famous person to a major B-league celebrity. The media circus is used to the advantage of famous people. So why should public money be spent on what is essentially a staged event?

Bruised bodies vs. bruised egos

And who would decide which celebrity deserves protection and which doesn’t? It could become nasty with bruised egos demanding a police escort even though their last hit single was in 1978.

Airports are facing an economic crisis across America. While celebrities can provide a welcome diversion from real troubles at home, when it starts to cost ordinary travelers extra money on their tickets and cash-strapped airports large amounts to provide protection, enough is enough.
 

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