The COVID-19 virus is revealing a great deal of truths, as does any global event to this scale. Revealing how much the U.S relies on China, how our fellow Americans react during a crisis and the dismantling mirage of celebrity relatability.

   Unlike the first two, the spinning web of relatability that celebrities are trying to pull is falling apart. Celebrities unlike other popular figures such as politicians or entrepreneurs whose reputation precedes them have their entire business relying on their lifestyle and personality/ brand. These are the top 1% of people and yet their entire livelihood is dependent on your liking and relating to them enough to gain a profit.

   In the past celebrities could easily filter their life into relatable bite-sized pieces to keep their brand and fanbase alive through social media, but with the arrival of COVID-19 forcing everyone into quarantine, their relatability becomes slim to none.  

   Complaining about quarantine is a common thing to do during these troubling times, no one wants to be reluctantly cooped up in their home unable to socialize with friends and family. However, when celebrities complain about their quarantine in their mansion-sized houses, their grievances can seem tone-deaf to the struggles of everyday citizens dealing with the virus.

   “One thing that I’ve learned from being in quarantine is that people… this is like being in jail is what it is, mostly because I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 10 days and everyone in here is gay” said Ellen DeGeneres.

   Degeneres received countless backlashing statements against her comment as she compared her life to that of a prisoner while she sat in her luxurious living room. Ironic since, in Degeneres’s Netflix comedy special, she made a joke saying that she couldn’t do stand up comedy because she wasn’t “relatable”.

   Comedian Ricky Gervais, who is no stranger to criticizing Hollywood and fellow celebrities, shared his opinions on the celebrities in quarantine with news outlet The Sun.

   “[Nurses and Doctors] are doing 14-hour shifts and not complaining. Wearing masks, and being left with sores, after risking their own health and their families’ health selflessly. But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming pool. And, you know, honestly, I just don’t want to hear it,” Gervais said.

   While it is understandable that figures in the public eye like celebrities should comment on ongoing news like the COVID-19 pandemic, it doesn’t mean they should be oblivious to their privileges compared to those who are less fortunate. Maybe during this crisis, we can all put things into perspective and be thankful for what we have while also helping others.