IELTS Speaking Part 3 Masterclass

The desire to become famous or well-known is not new. Even in times past, people already desired to become immortalized through poems, songs, or stories. However, because of today's technology, the path to fame has become much easier. A few decades ago, a person needed real talent or must have done something newsworthy to become famous, which is why the standard idea of a celebrity meant one was an actor, singer, musician, athlete, or even a respected politician. But now, anyone's uploaded videos, images, or articles can go viral, drawing millions of viewers from around the globe. Thus, people of all ages, including young children, flood the net with posts in the hope of becoming influencers or the next celebrity talent.

The benefits of fame are many, which is why so many dream of becoming discovered. Those who hit it big can earn millions of dollars from lucrative movie or recording contracts. Celebrities and popular influencers also make a lot from product endorsements. However, even those who only become famous in their locality can gain from their efforts. Many influencers enjoy freebies from establishments that invite them for a video shoot. And once bloggers or vloggers reach a certain number of followers, they may also earn from the social media platform. So it is no wonder why many are encouraged to upload their videos and share their posts.

But of course, fame has its drawbacks. The loss of privacy is one of the biggest problems. Though exciting at first, it can become quite burdensome to have people ask for a picture or an autograph. It can even become dangerous as many crazy people stalk celebrities for their own insane purposes, which is why A-list celebrities often have bodyguards. Even online, there are dangers. Hackers regularly try to break into famous people's accounts to steal information and private pictures. Other people create false celebrity accounts to dupe the public, while online trolls just bash celebrities to bring them down. That is why many influencers, entertainers, and top athletes suffer from anxiety or depression because of all the online negativity they receive.

Despite such issues, the quest for fame is here to stay since many believe the possible financial windfall is worth the risks. Some governments are even willing to support people's desire to become famous because if the entertainment industry does well, the government gets its share through taxes and increased tourism. Hollywood and Bollywood are prime examples of popular industries making billions. Even South Korea and Japan are raking in money because their governments actively promote their music, films, and TV shows. So we should not be surprised to see even more people worldwide continue this pursuit.