In a long-form reflection, the article examines a strange shift in contemporary society: we now tend to demand more moral accountability from entertainers — artists, athletes, influencers — than from elected officials whose decisions have a direct impact on collective life.
It revisits the concepts of role, responsibility, exigence, and culpability, questioning why emotional influence is so easily confused with institutional power. The text explores how cultural figures become symbolic reference points, how industries exploit their resonance to shape behaviors and consumption, and why moral expectations may now be misdirected.
Artists and entertainers hold emotional influence — especially among younger audiences, who often see them as mirrors or models during moments of identity construction. But influence does not equate to institutional responsibility. An artist can inspire, shake, provoke, or trigger identification, but they do not legislate, regulate, or govern.
Ultimately, the article argues for a rebalanced understanding of responsibility, suggesting that many issues attributed to entertainers originate in broader political and social structures.