"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good. . Look for the sunlight through the clouds" -- President Gordon B. Hinckley ("The Continuing Pursuit of Truth," Ensign, Apr. 1986, 2-4).
The mind will believe whatever you tell it. The tabloids are good in influencing what you choose to believe.
I thought Oprah’s interview with Tom Cruise was one of the most down to earth interviews I have ever watched of any celebrity. I am ashamed at how I let myself perceive Tom Cruise since the whole “couch deal” on her last interview with him nearly 3 years ago. How powerful the media is and more often than not we don’t realize it. Women in particular like a good magazine like a good Soap Opera (I myself, am guilty of giving in at times).
In her interview she cleared up a lot of the most popular attacks on Tom Cruise. The couch jumping which Tom explained, “It was just a moment. That’s how I felt.” The quote about Brooke Shields & Anti-Depressants, which he explained, “It was said wrong, and that is my fault. I should not have even addressed Brooke. I apologized and we are now even closer friends than we were before.” He emphasized his belief in using Anti-Depressants, “It should be the choice of the parents. My intention was more about anti-depressants being used with children. I just feel that people should have a choice. It is not my position to tell people what to do and I never wanted it to come across as telling people what to do.” And finally, the interview with Matt Lauer. “I wish I had handled things differently. I felt pressed and I see a lot, even that day - what I could have said differently.”
Now that the news, the tabloids have the internet to filter things quickly- a lot of media clips get edited and thus spread around the world rapidly. Things are so easily misunderstood and taken out of context that before these Celebrities know it- a lot of their fans get sent the wrong message. Like Tom Cruise and Scientology. He said, “A lot of the media portrayed me as preaching. I am not one to tell people what they should believe or say ‘You must believe this!’ That is not what Scientology is about. I have learned through all this that when I go to promote a movie, that is all that I will do. Before when I was asked about my beliefs I refused to talk about that because it wasn’t what the interview was supposed to be about. But the one time I chose to share, it turned into ‘Tom Cruise is Preaching’. From now on, I’ll just keep to the topic of the Interview.” Tom Cruise shared his feelings about the paparazzi and being a celebrity “It’s the risk you take as a celebrity. But regardless, I take it on in stride in order to do what I love, and that is making movies.”
During the interview they showed pictures of Tom Cruises family doing normal everyday activities. The interview took place in their Colorado Home in Tulleride. Had you walked through and viewed the pictures not knowing who Tom Cruise was you would not have known he was a Celebrity. The interview was calm and peaceful. So much of what he talked about was such a contrast in what is portrayed in the media. I have such a bad taste in my mouth with how I feel about the magazines that honestly my heart hurts for what he and Katie have had to go through these past few years. I admire them for living their life regardless. How easy that we forget that they are just normal everyday people like us who watch them on the big screen. They’re not another species of people - though we get caught up in the news like they are. It’s so weird to get a wake up call like this Interview was.
After watching this episode I feel that we owe it to Tom & Katie to always give them the benefit of the doubt. Like Oprah quoted in the end of the interview, “Tom, I wish for you the peace that this home and its surroundings provide for you. I wish for you peace in this life always…”
I’m not reading those magazines anymore… I feel betrayed with what they have put out into the world in filling our minds with false ideas and dark messages. Rumors do such horrible things and I feel it’s only getting worse with YouTube and Celebrity Blogs like TMZ and PerezHilton.
I respect truth, and now I know where to find it. If I’m going to believe anything, I am certainly not going find it from a magazine article or a celebrity news blog. I’ll find it from an in depth interview from a credible source like The Oprah Show or 20/20 with Barbara Walters, The Today Show or Larry King Live. I used to like watching the news but even they seem to get caught up with spreading rumors like the Tabloids. The only news I watch now is The Today Show. Sad where this world is moving, but we certainly can’t give it the time we do on dwelling on it. I just feel we can make a difference and that’s where we lend support.
So, what I’m going to do is support the shows I feel get their information from the ONLY source and that is who they are speaking about, and I am not going to even give those magazines or false news sources the time of day. That’s how I am going to help people like Tom Cruise.
Thank you for helping me do what I love to do and reach my dream of being a full time writer!
LDS Newsroom
I totally agree, the tabs and some media do a great job of distorting the truth about celebs. Tom and Katie do deserve the benefit of the doubt. We don’t really know what is really going on and we all must realise that . Even though we may feel like we know them, we really don’t have a clue about the truth of celebs lives.
Living in London, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many celebrities. My attitudes changed about them after a while because it is SOOOOO true what you say about how the media distorts their image and makes them almost ‘not human’. Some celebrities I’ve met are hideously shy and actually find the spotlights difficult.
I wish the media would leave Tom alone. It seems they are determined to try to destroy his happiness because they are so unhappy themselves. Its nice to see him so grounded though and although I may not agree with his religion, its not my choice its his. Allow the man to live his life is what I say.
It’s got to be just an intense burden to bear every single day, with media drones just generating the most bizzare rumours about him and his family every single day.
It’s sort of tough to believe that he is just a normal guy, who likes being involved with Scientology, has a nice wife and a cute kid. Really!
I don’t have much celebrity around to have an opinion about this one or this other one but like you I wait until I get to hear interviews or peace of informations that could let me get a better idea. Like the best way is to get to watch an interview where the subject you wanna know about is not brought up (if it is a sensitiv one such as religious-like beliefe) and I learn a lot more.
And this takes me to say that I don’t share your point of view at all about him or certain people like him :o)
There is a different way to look at him which is neither him being evil or a victim of all this.
I think he used the media the way he wished and now the subject is getting too hot for him to be able to “hold” it.
Could be because I am a foreigner that I have such a different point of view. It is quiet funny to see the things that celebrities can say or do when they are away from the US. The american student we have here had a funny little experience about this subject.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuut I wholly agree on the fact that we should keep ourself off from tabloids reading or whatever show that carries on the same stories.
At the end of the day, “celebrities” are just people.
The problem is that we elevate celebrities when we should have better role models. Sure, everyone knows who I’m talking about if I say “britney” or “angelina” but people may not know who Adam Smith is. (by the way, he’s an old school economics theorist, credited with being the founder of classical economics)
When you elevate someone, you expect them to be perfect–that’s fine, but celebrities are still human. How can we put so much pressure on them? If I walk out of the house wearing jeans and sneakers, no one cares–but if, say, Jessica Alba does it then all of a sudden she’s on a Worst-Dressed list somewhere.
I (we?) need distance–I used to be all over People magazine, but I realized that maybe I should put effort into managing my own affairs, instead of reading about someone else’s.
Michelle, Christine, gettothechoppa, backandthen, & ky:
Great feedback everybody!
Celebrities are just as human and down to earth as we are. Even those who let the “celebrity” factor get to their head. They all make mistakes, they all say things they wish they hadn’t- but too late because the whole world now knows and has based an opinion. They experience a day to day work day and lifestyle as we all do. Cut them a break and you’ll experience a much happier & positive life when allowing others the benefit of the doubt that :
“They are doing the best they can for who they are and where they are at in life”
Rebecca, let me congratulate you for your courage and personal integrity to write what you’ve just written. And also, because your cleverness to be able to observe with your own eyes and be able to differeciate the true from the lies. Unfortunately, not many people can do that. Well done!
I totally agree. Very well put. The media should be ashamed of themselves. It’s not just Tom they slime but he has received more than his fair share of media mud in the last couple of years.
Well done to you for putting it so well.
Milla & gswriter:
Thank you for your kind words.
Welcome to My Blog!
I do hope you both visit often, I really appreciate your feedback and hearing support not only from myself but from several others I know will make a positive impact on society. The world doesn’t have to be going ‘downhill’, and won’t if we stay strong to what we hold in our minds as an ideal for what the world can be. You guys are amazing!
Rebecca, am glad you pointed these things out. I am just so tired of how people think that celebrities are punch bags for us to take out our frustrations on. Yes Tom Cruise may have made some mistakes but who doesn’t. He has apologised why can’t people move on? His believes may not be the norm, but why hold that aginst him in this country where there is freedom of worship? Why attack his kids? His young wife? People have married wives with a bigger age difference and Yet for him it is an upardonable crime. Tabloid editors should be exposed for the slimes they are. A loser like Perez hilton with all that acne on his face dares to attack and ridicule another person. The world is angrier these days and to see a person who seem sto have it all annoys many people, so by spreading lies about them, they are knocking them off a peg or two.
Great Article Rebbecca.
If only more people will read your site. This is so true and through Tom the media,internet and tabloids were exposed to their extreme evils. Sadly it will only get worst.
I pity Tom Cruise but I see it happen to everyone. Rarely you hear the media say something nice or read a very professional editor nowadays or you see so many trolls invade forums.
Just look at the Presidential election and how ugly the media and various networks get.
Malayka & Holly:
Welcome to My Blog!
I agree with you both. Hopefully we can stay strong in our beliefs and make a difference in this Society.
Thank you for your comments!