A celebrity may be defined as an individual upon whom public attention and fame are accorded by the mass media. This position is usually applied to the persons or groups of individuals who acquire such a status of attention and it is often associated with wealth, although fame often provides opportunities to earn revenue. Having successful careers in entertainment, politics, as well as the sports industries, is often commonly associated with celebrity status. Apart from this, people may also become celebrities due to the media attention on their wealth, lifestyle, controversial actions, or their connection to famous people.

Regions and cultures with a significant population may have their own independent celebrities with distinct popularities. For instance, a person who garners fame in one culture might not necessarily be considered famous in another. Although there are always those who are considered to be nationwide celebrities who command attention even outside the nation where they rose to popularity. One such example would be that of certain politicians who are recognized by people all over the nation or other nations such as the Prime Ministers and Presidents.

Similarly, certain communities or regions within a country can also have their own celebrity systems, especially those which are culturally and linguistically diverse. For example, regional newscasters, radio personalities, community leaders, or politicians might be considered as local or regional celebrities of that particular region.

The Pope and the Dalai Lama are certain examples of personalities who are far more famous under their official title than their actual names. When it comes to politicians, once they leave active politics, their recognizability also tends to decrease rapidly among general audiences as other politicians simultaneously replace them in their official political functions. However, certain politicians are even famous today owing to the historical deeds they performed which are kept in memory in history classes. Some examples of such famous personalities who are renowned today, even after decades and centuries of their existence are- Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Mao Zedong, Napoleon Bonaparte, Mahatma Gandhi, and Genghis Khan.

In modern times, however, media commentators and journalists often refer to celebrities as that belonging to the A-list or B-list, the latter being a disparaging context. A certain placing within a hierarchy is indicated by these informal rankings. However, due to the constantly differing levels of celebrities in different regions, it is often next to impossible placing all the celebrities within one bracket. Some elements are used to denote fame and measure it such as appearing on the cover page of Time Magazine, having a wax statue in Madame Tussauds, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or even being spoofed in Mad.

The fame earned by celebrities is often compared to that of the royalty. As a result, their private affairs remain to be the topmost subject of public curiosity among the locals which is why they are often resented for their accolades and there is a strong love/hate relationship that people garner for them.

This is all about celebrities and their different aspects which were and will remain to be a part of curiosity among common people.