In less than a week, Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year hits theaters in a highly anticipated third installment of the series. 

     The original and second High School Musical films were both made-for-TV, but Disney is taking the third film straight to the big screen–and straight to the bank.  After a whopping 255 million viewers tuned in to the Disney Channel in 2006 to watch Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu play “students” at the fictional East High School, Disney knew they had something big.  The second movie was just as huge as the first, and in 2007, High School Musical product sales alone brought in over $500 million. In an article from Reuters, Rich Ross, president of Disney Channels Worldwide says, “There has never been a TV movie that spawned a business like this.”

     Taking the third movie straight to the big screen naturally seems like the next step.

     Disney already has the attention of HSM fans and has left them begging for more.  Releasing the movie in theaters not only gives the movie more publicity and attention, but it forces fans to pay up and see it or wait several months to buy or rent it.  If I was a member of Disney’s publicity team, I would certainly encourage the movie’s release in theaters because the media coverage of the frenzy surrounding ticket sales, excited fans, and reviews would gain a lot more attention than another straight-to-TV movie.  The characters who started out as “nobodies” are now huge celebrities and the more PR they receive, the further their career can go.

E! Online, original credit: AP Photo/Chris Miller; Lisa O

  These days, its not enough to be on top of the music charts or have the number one movie at the box office. No, in order to be an “it” celebrity, you have to make your political voice heard as well.

For some celebrities, it’s all about supporting their favorite candidate.  For others, it’s about how much of their money they can tie to a campaign. And still, for others, it’s nothing more than a new fashion statement. (check out Aubrey O’Day, the recent ex-Danity Kane member)  The most popular celebrity/political coupling right now is SNL’s Tina Fey who does a hilarious (and physically accurate) spoof of VP nominee Sarah Palin.  Fey’s imitation of Palin has sent SNL’s ratings through the roof and the historical upcoming election has only made interest in the spoofs grow.  But why is interest in a political “short” receiving more attention than other equally funny spoofs that have appeared on SNL?  Is the topic drawing in a new audience? Is it now trendy to be involved in politics or have “intelligent humor?” I believe that celebrities are becoming more aware of the positive impact they can have on fans and are using their status to influence the public to raise their political voice as well.

Not only are celebrities showing they have an interest in the American government, (shocking for some, I know) they are making great PR moves as well.  If I were Tina Fey’s publicist, I would encourage her to continue making the spoofs for as long as she continues to get a positive public response.  She is showing that she is knowledgeable enough about today’s politics and she is, quite possibly, getting people interested in politics who normally wouldn’t.  Although putting one’s political beliefs in the public eye opens up the possibility of criticism, the benefits of both helping the candidate and making your voice heard is worthwhile.  In general, I would encourage any of my clients to have an active voice in politics because it shows they have more substance than just being a great actor, musician, etc. and that they have a concern for the country.  

     Another day, another wonderfully awful celebrity mug shot to critique. 

 

From People.com, originally from Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department

     On Saturday Sept. 28, Heather Locklear was arrested on a DUI charge in Santa Barbara County, Calif. after an unidentified witness complained of her bizarre actions.  The female witness saw Locklear around 4:30 p.m. in a parking lot revving her engine while repeatedly driving backwards and forwards over a pair of sunglasses.  Locklear continued her frenzy and proceeded to drive erratically out onto the highway, but once the witness saw Heather stop on the side of the road and exit her vehicle, she called 911.

     California Highway Patrol officers who arrived on the scene could see Locklear was disoriented and impaired.  An on-site DUI investigation determined that she was clearly under the influence, but alcohol was ruled out as a factor.  Based on her actions and previous behavior, Locklear was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle under the influence and was taken to the CHP offices.  There, a Drug Recognition Expert confirmed she was under the influence of a controlled substance.  Ms. Locklear was then transferred and booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail but was released a few hours later.

     Where do I even begin? It seems like more and more celebrities are revealing themselves as complete psychos! Was Heather’s behavior a publicity stunt to put her back on the pages of gossip magazines?  Was she crying out for attention? Is she just going crazy?

     According to People, her publicist had no comment on the situation.  If I were her publicist, I would have certainly spoken a few words about the incident.  The public knows Locklear has been dealing with depression and anxiety after her marriage with Richie Sambora fell apart in 2006, and even though her actions were reckless, people may have some sympathy on her and her situation.  Simply saying nothing may make the public believe there are other things going on that are trying to be hidden.  A statement such as “Heather is currently dealing with personal issues and would appreciate privacy as she works through this difficult time” may quell new suspicions.   I would also circulate a press release stating what happened in Heather’s own words so any facts can be set straight.  Although Locklear is dealing with tough personal issues, her life and her behavior is in the spotlight.  If she wants people to know the truth and not speculate, she needs to come clean and be honest about the arrest or face public criticism while dealing with her personal crisis.

Well, I could be wrong here, but it’s pretty safe to assume that people have known Clay Aiken was gay long before he had to share with us on the cover of People Magazine.  But why did he think that now was the opportune time to announce this?  For Clay, it was a matter of setting an example for his son Parker, born Aug. 8, 2008 via in vitro fertilization.

   In the current issue of People Magazine, Aiken says, “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”  Even though I choose not to support gay relationships, I am happy that Clay didn’t let pressure from the public influence his decision to comment on his sexuality.  Although some of his actions seem otherwise, Clay is really proving himself a man and I am proud of him for stepping up in this situation.

     If I was his publicist, I would have handled Clay’s “official” coming out similarly by encouraging him to do it as publicly as he did. That way, the mystery of “is he?” or “is he not?” is clearly settled.  Not only did he snag the cover story of People, he tugged on the heartstrings of readers by cuddling his son in the picture and stating that he is doing this for his son (total aww! factor).  He may not have reached as many people and the effect may not have ben the same if he came out in an interview or on TV.  Furthermore, Clay gained even more attention by making the announcement in print and then reaping the “hype” when people discuss it on radio, TV, and the Internet.  The article was attractive and cast a loving, fathering light on Clay, something that isn’t usually the case.

     In a society where young bodies and fresh faces set the entertainment industry’s standards of beauty, Ellen DeGeneres is proving you don’t have to be young to represent beauty. 

     She began Tuesday’s airing of the always lively Ellen DeGeneres Show by telling the audience she wanted to set the record straight on some circulating internet rumors. “I am not pregnant. It just turned out to be a bump. I went and had it checked out,” she joked, referencing Eva Longoria-Parker’s recent pudge that sparked false baby rumors.  Nope, instead ladies and gentlemen, take a look at the new face of CoverGirl!  After “posing” in true CoverGirl fashion, she continued, “We were going to let you know [in January], but somehow people found out about it.” True statement or a “slip up” that just happens to bring her more good publicity?

     Ellen started the new season of her show in a new studio and as a newlywed. (She married longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi Aug. 5)  The decision to become the newest CoverGirl not only adds to the success she is experiencing, but allows fans to see her in a new light.  Ellen is witty, smart, proud, and beautiful because she is herself.  Fans rarely see a truly feminine side of her, but because of this new endeavor, she appeals to women who are like herself, but also to women of all ages who frequently use CoverGirl products.  Ellen is a great model of what a CoverGirl should be! 

The Jonas Brothers just keep “Burnin’ Up” music charts and the Disney Channel…while snagging millions of teenage girls’ hearts along the way.  Their presence this past Monday night at MTV’s VMAs did not go unnoticed, despite leaving without any of their anticipated Moonmen (thank you, Britney Spears comeback). The boys ended the night at the top of the list of performers as well as one of the most talked about victims of the host’s personal attacks.  Wait, bashing on The Jonas Brothers? Yes, it’s true. 

     VMA Host Russell Brand, an English comedian and former sex-addict, mocked the Brothers after learning that each wore purity rings as a display of their decision to remain abstinent until marriage.  And then he did it again, and again, and again.  Jordin Sparks, another purity ring-wearing teen star, defended the boys by saying that “it’s not bad to wear a promise ring.”  (Go Jordin!)  Abstaining (no pun intended) from making any defensive comments of their own, Kevin, Nick, and Joe ended ahead as the gentlemen in this situation.  Later in the evening, Brand apologized for his comments, saying, “I didn’t mean to take it lightly.”  I believe it was forced and all in the name of PR.  An acceptance from the Jonas Brothers followed the next day, even stating that “[they] saw him on Conan O’Brian and thought he was hilarious.”  More on the Jonas’ apology can be seen on
Starpulse.

 The Jonas Brothers have worked hard to keep their “boys-next-door” image and handled their reaction to personal criticism the best way they could have. If I were their publicist, I would continue to promote their clean-cut brand and handle the situation very similarly.  In addition to being heartthrobs, the boys are making it clear that they are good role models as well.  They aren’t ashamed of their beliefs and were able to silently stand up for themselves without insulting anyone else.  Stirring up controversy with Russell Brand would have only brought negative publicity their way and potentially stained their clean, Disney Channel star image.  Who doesn’t like a pop star with a good values system? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that the maturity the boys showed Monday night may have sparked a new generation of fans: the parents of Jonas-loving girls.  Way to go Kevin, Nick and Joe for keeping your morals, your cool, and along the way expanding your fan base!