Some time ago Ian Dickson (Dicko) a former Australian Idol judge and host of My Restaurant Rules and Celebrity Survivor, after losing his Melbourne radio gig said that it was time to bury his on-air persona of Dicko.
He said that he discovered fame is an addiction and was ashamed of succumbing to it by always trying to create a headline. Dickson's admission that he was a headline-seeker and had an addiction to fame was honest and it represents a great truth about celebrity in any area of endeavour.
Chasing fame and headline celebrity status becomes part of the system for people who wish to move along this career path. Somehow they need to get their names in lights to ensure they get their next career move, acting gig or television role.
Over twenty five years ago I initiated an Entertainment Ministry seeking to serve people in this industry who 'are' constantly under pressure. Like anybody who takes on a pastoral role, those who engaged in entertainment ministry needed a good ear and an ability to show empathy in any situation. Just sometimes entertainers, who behind their screen persona may be serious people, needed to do 'silly things' at the whim of an agent so as to maintain a profile.
Such issues as 'being silly in public' are always in the minds of those in the entertainment industry, and sometimes their teenage children want to be as far away from them in public as possible.
Common
This is common with teenage children of any family with a public persona, such as a pastor's kids or a politician's kids. Often there are tensions and difficulties at home, unless there is a very open and caring discussion within the family so that these things are discussed with understanding.
Sometimes a strong-minded spouse or relative who protects the children from these most awkward life dramas that involve the family member who is in the public eye.
Although the most public of celebrities are those who are successful and have a permanent (often very high) income, the huge successes put them in danger of the equally huge fall from grace if things go horribly wrong.
This downside can affect the family even more than the person in the limelight, when the entire world gets to hear about it. It can get very nasty and humiliating.
Imagine the drama for the children of whatever age. Imagine how they react to the taunts of their school mates. It is indeed true that the children in such families suffer for their parents many indiscretions
The circle of fame
For those within the circle of fame, whether it be entertainment, politics, sport or anything else, when the chips are down their private life is aired in every newspaper, or radio or TV news. However, worst of all is the exposure in the glossy magazine that sits at doctor's waiting room for years on end. For families of the famous, broad shoulders need to become part of their armoury.
As I am not far off 70, it’s been my privilege to minister to elite athletes, entertainers and executives. Serving the Australian cricket team for 17 years to 2000, then Life After Cricket for a further 18 years. Then, 14 years at Basil Sellers House where the Australian Institute of Sport elite athletes visited for rest and recuperation, and likewise privately with executive personages.
I am able to look back at these experiences of pastoral ministry to these families, with responses very thoughtfully and prayerfully offered. The 'star' needs pastoral care, but the other family members are also hurting deep down and require very discreet ministry and ongoing care.
This is 'way-up-there' in chaplaincy ministry. This has no congregation to shake your hand praising your message. This is in some sense a 'distance ministry' which requires a whole different type of engagement.
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children
