Have you ever wondered why icons like Audrey Hepburn or James Dean seemed so captivating, with a certain mystique about them? Why did watching them on screen feel so mesmerizing, or how did Prince’s androgynous style and aura captivate his audience?
It makes me think – was it their charisma, their effortless presence or the mystery that surrounded them? There was something about these stars that made them seem larger than life.
Back in Hollywood’s golden age, celebrities kept things private. There were no smartphones or Instagram stories documenting every move. The mystery surrounding them was intentional, and fans only got to see glimpses of their lives through their art—whether on film, on stage, or in music. Interviews were rare and when they did happen, they felt like a big deal.
Studios played a huge role in controlling these images too, carefully creating the personas of their stars. Take Elizabeth Taylor for example, she was one of the most glamorous stars of her time yet her personal life was full of scandal and turmoil. But did the world know the full extent back then? Not really. Studios worked behind the scenes to protect the public image of their stars, and she was presented as a violet-eyed beauty, an icon of elegance while her personal struggles stayed hidden.
This level of control was applied to many stars: Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, and others were crafted into larger-than-life figures with their mystery being part of the allure. Hollywood knew exactly how much to reveal and how much to keep hidden, leaving fans always wanting more. The less the audience knew, the more fascinating they became.
But fast forward to today, things are different as everything feels exposed. Sure, there are still talented celebrities, but fame just doesn’t hit the same anymore. Social media has changed everything, we now have instant access to every aspect of a celebrity’s life. Who is dating who, what someone ate for breakfast and even the most personal, messy moments of their lives are laid out in front of us in real time. What once took decades to uncover is now revealed with a few clicks—like the details of the alleged separation between J.Lo and Ben Affleck, which we can find at the touch of a button.
That aura, that mystique, is gone with that careful crafting of a larger-than-life persona also being gone. Some might say this access makes celebrities more relatable, more human and more complex but I honestly like the mystery. I miss the essence of imagination. That unknown quality, the sense of being out of reach was what made them… iconic.
The word “icon” means something “worthy of veneration”, a person or moment meant to be admired. But these days, I find it difficult to find anyone in the 21st century who truly fits that description aside from Beyoncé or Shakira—two stars who understand the balance between keeping their personal lives private while letting their art speak for itself. Yes, we know about Jay-Z’s infidelities but only because Beyoncé chose to address it through her music like in her song “Sorry.” You don’t see her airing out her private life on social media. Similarly, Shakira transformed her breakup into an empowering anthem, rather than feeding into the gossip pages.
It seems to me today’s stars could learn something from these women. In a world where many celebrities seem more interested in making headlines for their personal lives than their professional achievements, it’s clear to me that true icons are remembered for their work—not their scandals. And it’s not just about mystery anymore; it’s about craft.
Legacy is rooted in craftsmanship which is what makes celebrities timeless. While social media gives us more access than ever, I can’t help but feel it’s robbing us of the magic. Is the cultural shift of the media dictating who is considered to be an icon? Where’s the allure that once made celebrities feel like something more than just people on a screen? Where’s the magic? In a world of overexposure, maybe the true stars are the ones who know that some of that magic is meant to be hidden like shimmering bits of gold that reside deep in a distant stream.
