Celebrity culture has a habit of entangling our lives and exposing society’s inherent obsession with fame and fortune. Fans often channel this fascination by writing or reading fanfiction, following the daily routines of their favorite celebrities on social media platforms or, in extreme cases, using plastic surgery in order to physically embody their idol.
‘Celebrity worship syndrome‘ is a parasocial relationship in which a normal admiration for a celebrity becomes a much darker obsessive fascination and concern. This worship often manifests itself in inappropriate acts such as bullying, stalking, or even confrontation in person.
In what could only be described as a slightly milder extension of the syndrome, some obsessive fans (and a celebrity or two themselves) have shifted their attention to the unpredictable world of traded goods – seeking out platforms to sell and sell. buy extravagant celebrity memorabilia. .
The American e-commerce company eBay, the most commonly used site for such purposes, is an online marketplace often known as the land where all lost things go. However, in these cases, people are digging through the clutter looking for something more specific than a A2K mini skirt.
1. Billie Eilish’s tune
A user who goes by the handle @rev1on, recently listed a alleged Billie’s bag L’air d’Eilish” on an online marketplace. In the listing, the user claimed to have obtained the tune of the American singer-songwriter during his recent concert in Singapore on August 21, 2022.
According Vermont@rev1on bragged, “I stood at the very front and managed to get her to breathe plastic when she screamed at the top of her lungs during the concert! For those who missed [it], you can buy it !! Looks very rare!!”
Now I know what you’re thinking. First of all, the item listed is almost certainly just a bag of clean air. Second, how much is @rev10n charging for this so-called keepsake? Well, it turns out that a top-notch air bag could be all yours for a measly 15,000 Singapore dollars (about $10,000).
Unfortunately for potential buyers, the item has since been pulled from the online marketplace, shattering the dreams of anyone who wants to sniff the air of America’s favorite “bad guy”.
2. James Blunt’s sister
James Blunt’s online antics can be recognized through his iconic tweets, in turn helping the singer-songwriter build a brand of shameless self-deprecation that provides much needed respite from the narcissism of internet culture. The self-proclaimed “King of Twitter” has continuously blessed our feeds with clever replies and quips about his own discography.
One of my favorites came in early 2022. In January, musicians Joni Mitchell and Neil Young pulled their music from Spotify in protest at podcaster Joe Rogan’sand his controversial views on the COVID-19 pandemic. James Blunt, feeling the need to insert himself into the conversation, tweeted: “Whether @spotify do not delete immediately @joeroganI will publish new music on the platform. #You were beautiful.”
However, long before his Twitter days, James Blunt fell victim to the lure of eBay – like many of us – and in a frantic, addictive state, auctioned off everything he could set his sights on. … including his own sister.
According The GuardianBlunt—waiting for his debut album Back to chaos to be released in 2004 – placed an advertisement on the market hoping to transport his sister to a funeral in the south of Ireland after all public transport options failed.
The “You’re Beautiful” singer captioned the list: “Damsel in distress seeks knight in shining armor! Desperate to go to a funeral in the south of Ireland, please help! And sure enough, a mysterious man won the auction and quickly flew Blunt’s sister to Ireland in his private helicopter.
She then married her savior eBay, making it by far the healthiest of the online celebrity bidding wars.
3. Marilyn Monroe X-rays
Marily Monroe, aka everyone’s 20th century “it girl,” has a tremendous cultural heritage. If someone were to walk on a windy sidewalk grate while wearing a dress or skirt, their mind would likely return to Monroe and how her iconic look helped shape a moment in history.
While many fans would love to get their hands on a Monroe momento, like the iconic dress Kim Kardashian sported on the Met Gala red carpet – the actress’ x-rays don’t automatically come to mind.
According to BBC, a set of three x-rays taken of the star’s chest during a hospital visit in 1954 have been auctioned off for $45,000. The scans were sold in 2010 at a movie memorabilia auction at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, USA.
4. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Exhaled Breath
The Tinseltown legends are next in a series now titled “Netizens’ Strange Obsession With Celebrity Breath.” Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. In 2005, Brangelina shattered the internet with their viral romance and sent Bennifer (Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston) fans around the world into a love frenzy.
Taking advantage of the new couple’s grip on mainstream media, an eBay seller decided to auction off the Hollywood equivalent of gold dust: the duo’s combined air particles.
As reported by digital spythe seller’s declaration stated: “Be the first to own this celebrity air pot, which may contain air molecules that have come into direct contact with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt!”
While the online merchant’s starting price of $9.99 was suspiciously low, this didn’t seem to deter bidders and soon enough the auction price was pushed all the way to $75,100. The listing also provided footage of the so-called “air” picked up in a jar at the Mr and Mrs Smith premiere of the movie. We can’t imagine this being the most accurate method or how the eBay aficionado managed to secure a VIP pass for the premiere itself.
While unsure if the jar ever sold for the highest price, the seller signed his statement with: “We do not guarantee that this air sample contains air molecules that have entered contact with a celebrity’s epidermal layer or respiratory system, but the sample was captured. near celebrities and air molecules that came into direct contact.
While Jolie and Pitt may not have anticipated the messy divorce that would ultimately weigh on their future, their combined biological essence will surely live on in the form of extravagant eBay deals.
5. Justin Timberlake’s Half-Eat French Toast
On March 9, 2000, Justin Timberlake finished a morning interview at the studio of New York radio station Z-100, leaving his half-eaten breakfast behind. A DJ at the station then decided to put the French toast covered in maple syrup on eBay to see who would take the bait.
Lo and behold, then-19-year-old NSYNC superfan Kathy Summers won the prize and managed to bring home Timberlake’s abandoned snack. The Wisconsin student paid $1,025 for breakfast leftovers from the man of her dreams.
As reported by Weekly entertainment, Summers told the radio station that she plans to freeze-dry the toast, seal it and then display it on her dresser. And in case anyone was interested in knowing why the American singer overlooked the other half of her meal, the enthusiast herself offered an explanation, saying, “The slices look a little burnt on the side.” My apologies to the chef.