It is strange how the common person can become a celebrity or role model to others in the blink of an eye. I find this topic particularly intriguing in situations in which a person with “celebrity” status initially did not plan to become a new merchandise item hanging from the walls of teenage girls or having snapshots of his or her every move on the cover of magazines. The term “celebrity” is, at times, constructed by the media rather than actually sought after by an individual. Yet, I do believe there is a fine line between searching for the spotlight and simply following your dreams.

All of us have someone in the spotlight that we admire, adore, idolize and, at times, stalk by using magazines and entertainment shows to further the distance between fans and celebrities. Even more troubling, I am certain that everyone goes through a “pop celebrity” idolizing stage that involves countless hours and a lot of energy invested in trying to reflect one’s behavior to that of a certain famous personality.

I am no exception. Since the moment I discovered my passion for journalism, but sometimes, I have moments of enlightenment) I began to pay closer attention to television news programs.

My parents watch the Spanish news all the time, and I immediately became captivated by one particular anchor whose natural behavior in front of the camera made me believe that he was broadcasting the news to me and to no one else in the room.

His name is Jorge Ramos, a prestigious Mexican news anchor for the Spanish broadcasting network, Univision 23, in Miami. I came to idolize Ramos for his professionalism and his energetic way of transmitting the news to thousands of viewers. Yet, in my eyes, Ramos was the epitome of fame because of the esteemed status he has within the television network.

I found myself trapped in an obsessive cycle of admiration for Ramos. I had become an almost-religious fanatic of Ramos, worshipping him for his accomplishments and for his ability to succeed in the spotlight as a Latino immigrant in the United States. It was not until I began to read Ramos’s autobiography that I realized how he is a different type of celebrity, one that was not looking for fame but, rather, one who is focused on fulfilling his dreams and aspirations in journalism.

This realization quickly led me to contrast Ramos’s popularity for having reached his goals with the typical “celebrity” status attached to the names of those featured in the tabloids. Although there are many people out there who do not become famous because of their abilities or talents, but rather because their main motivation is to be in the spotlight. I am perplexed by how Larry Birkhead has become an American icon the last couple of weeks.

Birkhead, one of Anna Nicole Smith’s companions, was an unknown freelance photographer before he became involved in a paternity dispute with Howard K. Stern over Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn.

Smith’s sudden death opened the doors for Birkhead to release his egotistic personality to feed the media. The newfound fame and the celebrity crown attached to Birkhead in the past week have only intensified after DNA results proved he is Dannielynn’s father. Nonetheless, he found the spotlight before the spotlight found him.

By appearing on various entertainment shows and accepting interviews with the media, Birkhead created his now larger-than-life momentum by seeking the celebrity status. Birkhead’s popularity was not influenced by the success of his career or for having overcome obstacles in life to accomplish his dreams or goals. Instead, his popularity was the same attention he wanted from the paternity issue at stake.

I do admit that the public’s fascination with trying to know more about certain individuals can often blur the lines between the common man and the celebrity status that has always fascinated the media. Yet, that celebrity status is not everlasting.

Like everything else in life, this title has an expiration date. Eventually, the fame that easily knocks on one’s door finds an exit. Everyone is forgotten at some point or another, but one’s deeds and accomplishments continue to live on, making some individuals, over others, more than just celebrities but, rather, role models.

In simpler words, when it comes to venerating others, realize that these are regular human beings. Instead of becoming prey to the media’s commotion for creating new celebrities to increase ratings, search beyond the status attached to a person’s name. Look for the motivations that led the person you admire to achieve such a high status in life, and if this particular person’s actions inspire you to fulfill your own dreams or serve as an example to improve yourself, then you have found the right “celebrity” to admire and respect.

Cindy Cordova is a freshman in the College of Communication.