THERE was a time when celebrity books meant biographies, either commissioned work or unauthorized volumes written by celebrity biographers. Older film fans remember having had a blast reading memoirs purposely written by the stars themselves with the help and guidance of a professional author.
Celebrity books, however, have of late assumed a whole new dimension as a unique genre in itself. Even in Hollywood, considered as the world’s film mecca, most of these celebrity books are met with some degree of derision. The sad fact is, according to legitimate book critics, many of these are vapidly written. But they’ve managed to become a Hollywood staple nonetheless, a testament to the power and influence of film and TV personalities and musical icons.
Celebrity books actually sell, and by the tens of thousands of copies, sometimes even more. In no time at all, a famous name attached to a book spells a speedy rise in the best sellers’ list.
The public is ever noisy, eager to learn about other people’s affairs, especially that of the stars. Celebrities dutifully cash in on the craze since, in Hollywood particularly, celebrity-book deals can be quite lucrative. But one sorry reality is that too many stars attempt to do tell-alls but often, they don’t really want to tell anything.
The better route for reluctant would-be celebrity authors is to choose a topic close to their heart and focus on it, like what Jessica Alba did with The Honest Life, a wellness book done respectably. Or they can go where actress-writer-director Lena Dunham of TV’s successful Girls series went with her thought-provoking book of essays, called Not That Kind of Girl.
Local showbiz has recently joined the celebrity book trend. In fact, one publishing house affiliated with a big network now has its own line that specializes in celebrity books, since these have become more profitable than magazines, in terms of sales and the buzz around it.
The pitfall behind celebrity books is that most are quickie memoirs, almost always haphazardly put together, a collection of barely humorous essays, and life lessons dished out by the rich and famous for readers to chew on. Everyone from dance choreographers to pretty young things have come up with various permutations of the celebrity book on topics ranging from beauty tips to a collection of “hugot” lines.
Comedienne Ethel Booba’s book of witty quips, titled #charotism, proved to be popular but one can hardly call it a “real” book with structure and fluid narrative. Angelica Panganiban is the latest celebrity to launch a book, called Para Kay Ex.
Popular young stars like Kathryn Bernardo, Maine Mendoza and the James Reid-Nadine Lustre love team have also come up with their own books but these are all quite light-hearted, the type that would appeal mostly to a select group of youngsters and crossover millennials for whom they were published in the first place.
Very rare do you chance upon books that will shed light on a star’s journey with pathos, vivid detail, and a manner of exposition that will leave readers, celebrity-obsessed or not, breathless and wanting to know more.
But not all books aren’t deep, sincerely written and worth our time. We love the fearless and funny items on Miriam Defensor Santiago’s Stupid is Forever, which had a quick follow-up edition after its smashing success. Among the biographies of local celebrities, Armida Siguion-Reyna’s remains one of the best written ones.
More than a decade ago, we spoke to a friend who claimed that a book she read helped expedite her “healing” process, and we were so curious we read the book of Rita Avila, titled 8 Ways to Comfort with Grace, the one she wrote after losing her only child. Avila recently came out with another good one, titled The Invisible Wings, which comes with wonderful illustrations.
Everyone right now is talking about singer-actor Mark Bautista’s revealing memoir, Beyond the Mark. Writer Alya Honasan has called it an “engaging memoir done with endearing candor and some class.” In the book, Bautista recalls his humble beginnings in Cagayan de Oro to his adventures in big-city show business, but the biggest revelation is about his sexuality and an intimacy he has shared with another popular male celebrity. “In an industry where everybody is constantly denying everything, isn’t that a relief?” Honasan writes in her review.
While Mark Bautista’s book is a good starting point, what is missing from local bookstore shelves are volumes about the country’s great stars and artists. To date, not a single book has been written about Fernando Poe Jr., who remains a looming figure in the business many years after his passing. There are no memoirs written by enduring movie queens like Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Sharon Cuneta. And how about tribute books on such great actresses, like the late Lolita Rodriguez and Charito Solis, and the last great star standing Gloria Romero?
It would be a fitting endnote to such illustrious careers built on talent, charisma, perseverance and a level of maturity that escapes most showbiz rookies.
Next time you find yourself at a local bookstore and you chance upon celebrity books, take your time and choose wisely on what you want to take home.
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