But you see, things take a sharp turn when they shed their artistic or athletic skin and unveil themselves as 'sellebs' or salespersons, capitalising on the goodwill of their fans. They urge them to buy products and services without considering personal usage or potential harm to the very people who made them a celebrity today. For a ‘selleb’, such concerns are not their burden to bear, apparently.

 

In the world of ‘selleb’ endorsements, it’ll seem like irony hit a huge windmill! It is unmistakably normal for a ‘selleb’, known for fitness, to condemn smoking tobacco but endorse chewing it; surprise is unwarranted when a ‘selleb’ calls out racism while promoting a fairness cream; how it’s rather awe-inspiring when another ‘selleb’, who’s had more beauty surgeries than a math whiz can count, lectures us on how beauty lies in imperfections! The list can go on…

 

Though a precious few from the movie industry, there are praiseworthy celebs. With honesty and humility as their insurance against the unpredictable nature of fame, they gracefully sidestep controversies and only align if it meets their own usage, values or personality. It is important not to categorise all public figures as mere ‘sellebs’.

 

Gone are the days when ‘sellebs’ could get away with ridiculous endorsements that left us scratching our heads. In today's world, these ‘sellebs’ are often called out on social media for their endorsement practices. But have they changed? Yes, indeed. Only some are now less overtly foolish and more subtle in their endorsements, avoiding trolls, controversies and legal troubles.

 

But to be fair, in their line of work, endorsements are a lucrative side hustle. Is there anyone who can say no to extra money with lesser effort? But here's the thing, it's not about being envious of their financial gains. It's about the glaring hypocrisy that conveniently slips their minds when money holds sway.

 

Endorsements, my friend, are the juicy cash crops that ‘sellebs’ harvest without breaking a sweat! No more grueling hours on set or net. They simply put out a tweet/post, flash a smile, meet fans,  or strike a pose, and ka-ching! In just a few hours or a day or two, they rake in the dough. Much to their relief, unlike tricky producers, corporate entities usually pay up on time, sparing the ‘sellebs’ from panic attacks as intense as the ones they induce in their audiences.

 

Why can't the celeb simply say no to brands they don't use or seem like an odd fit for? Well, firstly, who are we to question their choices? And secondly, you see, the sway of money is too much for the ‘selleb’ to resist this lucrative side hustle. The money A-list ‘sellebs’ can make in a month with different brands can match the digits of a phone number.

 

Don’t forget they too have expenses. They need to maintain that photogenic image and lead a lifestyle that most of us can only dream of. From funding their next rhinoplasty to inflating their social media following, from indulging in their guilty pleasures to splurging on fancy collectibles, from keeping their groupies content to even taking care of those alimony woes – endorsements, make it all possible. 

 

So, if you still naively believe that ‘sellebs’ will forever reciprocate the goodwill you've bestowed upon them, then you deserve to step on a lego piece barefoot for a reality check.