Celebrity marriages: Their Beauty and Complications

To the outside world, celebrity marriages often appear glamorous, exciting, and picture-perfect. But behind these well curated posts and red-carpet appearances lie questions we can’t help but ask:

is it a façade, what goes on behind the cameras, how much does the outside opinion influence these marriages. While I may not have all the answers, this piece is an honest attempt to explore the beauty and the often-overlooked complications that come with being in love under the spotlight.

Celebrities are influential persons, known for their careers in the entertainment industries, strong social media presence and fanbase, or successful and high profile businesses. The important factor that defines their status is the fanbase and media attractions they pull. Knowing and understanding this simple fact helps us relate to their lifestyle and respect it. It is no news that some of them choose to keep their marriage and family life entirely out of public view or opinion, hence making it almost impossible for the media and their fans to know what's happening with them. I love this by the way. It prevents the public from influencing or intruding in their personal space. 

Recall I used the term “almost impossible”. This is because as long as you command a strong media presence, you cannot hide your family or marriage from the public entirely. The best you can do is manage how much the fans and media gets to see through limited posts and public appearances. Marriages like this always have a high success rate. There are a lot of Nigerian celebrities who choose to do so. The likes of Olamide and his marriage to Adebukunmi Aisha, Johnny drille and his wife Rima tahini, there's Banky. w and adesuwa and many others. These celebrities choose to keep their marriage and family away from the media thereby maintaining a peaceful and somewhat drama free life. These rights are often disregarded by the media, thus making them uncomfortable and sometimes insecure.

On the other hand, celebrity marriages that are not kept secret or hidden from the public eye are seen as ideal and loved. Marriages like this are often adored and sometimes influenced by the fans and media. These marriages make little to no attempt in keeping their affairs private. Celebrities like Davido, Iyabo ojo, make their marriages and affairs public and free with the public. These marriages are seen as model marriages for fans. This is because it portrays love, rifts, peace, wealth, and sometimes perfection to the public hence giving the fans a sense of hope.

Some celebrities even go to the extent of making podcasts and reality tv shows with the purpose of sharing their life and experiences with their fans. Reality tv shows of celebrity marriages and family are always admired by the media and fans. Here, the cameras are always on; they showcase their daily routines, outings, possessions, birthdays, and even arguments amongst each other. In doing so the fans are able to speculate, enjoy, and even share opinions and solutions where needed in the marriage so they feel involved and a part of the family. The question in minds of most persons for marriages like this are; why do they allow their marriages to be so open and exposed to scrutiny and influence from the fans, how do they handle and protect the delicate and private aspect of their marriages. 

In my opinion there are a few reasons why they choose to do so. Some do it for the fame and intention to grow their fanbase, some for the money, and others just for the love and fun of it. Celebrity marriages on reality shows are not particular to African celebrities. It is rather common with Hollywood celebrities. Celebrities like the Kadershians embolish this in their marriages. Some of them are genuine and real, while others are just to portray a positive image in the public eye.

In my opinion, the media has a certain influence in marriages like this. On the bright side it holds them accountable and helps point out their flaws thereby helping them grow. On the other hand their flaws are exposed to scrutiny and harsh comments, little to no privacy when desired, and their private information is sometimes leaked. When the media expose them to these situations, there is little guarantee that the marriage would stand because you are more or less setting them up for failure. It is no news that marriages of celebrities have a very high tendency for divorce and separation. Aside from the media, the issue of infidelity is a major concern for them. Infidelity is now seen as a norm amongst them, from the freak off parties, to hook up with fans and fellow celebrities. The flamboyant lifestyle tends to disrupt their marriages.

 Whether they choose to keep their marriage life private or public, it is important for the fans to know and understand that these are humans with emotions, rights, and shortcomings, therefore their privacy and marriage should be respected. This should at least give them a fighting chance. For the record I'm not a fan of it, just saying.