where on this planet are celebrities not a big part of the culture?
Ive travled a lot and have never been to a country where the people didint follow celebs.
I saw the Kardashians on newstands in China more than on do here.
Celebrities being recognized is one thing.
But entertainment, by way of celebrities, being the foundation of the shared interpretation of current events, political economy, interpersonal relationships, history, human possibility etc etc is not some universal global standard by far. But thats the case in the United States
Entertainment/celebrities are the social glue of united states social society. Nobody can put forth a sensible historically sound argument that has been a meaningful convergence in material and social conditions between AA Natives and white people. For instance, Black people are in a whole 'nother "great migration" (forced displacement) and getting pushed into a 3rd civil rights movement... i can keep going.. but point being is that there are entirely separate civic planets and trajectories within the nation.
Entertainment has been the means of a (flimsy) integration and common identity. Its the city center. We cant say China or other societies have managed their sense of collective self through such means.