What happens when someone we admire lets us down?

Recently I watched a documentary about a well-known actor who died over 30 years ago. According to the documentary he treated women badly in real life and on set. He was never an actor I thought much about, but I now would think about watching his movies. When we put a person or a celebrity on a pedestal they can fall off and often we may feel disappointed or cheated for admiring them in the first place.

It is natural to identify another human for admiration. From the time we are young, we make connections to people - be it athletes, actors, singers, politicians or creatives - who are often celebrities. Over time, these people may be replaced by close friends whom we like on a more personal level. There is a truth we must face though, realising that people we look up to as kids, teens and adults, may someday let us down.

By respecting the people we admire, we forget they are real people, with all the complexity that represents.

Social media adds a new view as to how we see those we look up to.

It gives us photos etc of people that are at odds with how we know them to be. Portraying themselves as more successful, more intelligent and more beautiful.

So how do you feel when a well-known person falls from grace?

How do you feel when a well-loved family member behaves in a disappointing way?

Leah 

A Moodscope member