Celebrity Suicide and the Search for the Moral High Ground: Comparing Frames in Media and Audience Discussions of the Death of a Flemish Celebrity

Abstract

Taking a case study and framing approach, this article analyzes media coverage of and (on- and off-line) audience reactions to a gay celebrity's death and its aftermath to see how it triggers discussion about socially and ethically sensitive issues. It starts from the assumption that the celebrity construct is not just a commodity but also acts as a forum to discuss social and ethical issues, norms, and values. Media coverage of the suicide of Flemish singer Yasmine is revealed to be dominated by frames relating to the soap of life (especially divorce), the celebrity's status as a lesbian icon, and her position as a victim of abuse, with framing differing according to media and journalistic style. Audience reactions do not simply mimic these frames, but are mediated in different ways by personal experiences, peers, and parasocial relationships, resulting in active negotiations of the media frames, even creating counter-frames, particularly regarding the act of suicide and the gay status of the celebrity.

Keywords:

• Media culture
• Celebrity culture
• Parasocial relationships
• Online reception
• Media and moral debate

Notes

1. Term commonly used to refer to local celebrities in the northern, Flemish-speaking part of Belgium (60% of Belgium's population of 11 million).

2. http://www.belgium.be/nl/familie/koppel/huwelijk/homohuwelijk/ and http://www.belgium.be/nl/familie/kinderen/adoptie/

3. Funded by an internal grant of the University of Antwerp BOF-NOI funds and an external grant of the Flemish scientific fund FWO(Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), both obtained competitively and after peer review.

4. 1. What/who is the problem? 2. What/who caused this? 3. What moral evaluation is provided? 4. What is the recommended treatment?

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hilde Van den Bulck

Professor Hilde Van den Bulck is Head of the Media, Policy, and Culture research group of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Antwerp, Belgium

Nathalie Claessens

Nathalie Claessens is a PhD student and Researcher of the Media, Policy, and Culture research group of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Antwerp, Belgium