Maroof Asudemade

The rise of social media has given ordinary people unprecedented access to celebrities. Actors, musicians, comedians, footballers and other public figures are now only a click away from their fans and critics alike. While this accessibility has strengthened the bond between celebrities and their audiences, it has also created a disturbing culture where some people believe that fame automatically strips individuals of their humanity.

Today, social media “cruise” has become a convenient excuse for cruelty. Under the guise of jokes, banter and entertainment, many celebrities are subjected to relentless insults, character assassination, cyberbullying and malicious rumours. What begins as a joke often degenerates into coordinated harassment capable of causing serious emotional and psychological harm.

The reality many people fail to understand is that celebrities are human beings before they are celebrities. They experience pain, disappointment, anxiety, heartbreak and depression just like everyone else. The fact that someone appears on television, acts in movies or performs on stage does not make them immune to emotional suffering.

One of the most troubling aspects of social media culture is the tendency to turn speculation into established fact. A celebrity’s friendship, lifestyle, mannerisms or private choices become subjects of endless public scrutiny. Rumours are repeated so frequently that they begin to sound true, regardless of whether there is any evidence to support them. The individuals at the receiving end are often expected to endure the attacks in silence simply because they are famous.

The late Alex Ekubo was at various times subjected to intense online speculation and criticism. Discussions about his personal life frequently dominated social media conversations. While it is difficult to quantify the precise impact of such experiences on any individual’s health, there is growing global evidence that sustained online harassment can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression and social withdrawal. It is therefore irresponsible to dismiss cyberbullying as mere “cruise” when the consequences can be profound.

Society must also reject the dangerous notion that because celebrities earn money or enjoy public recognition, they automatically forfeit their right to dignity. Wealth does not eliminate emotional pain. Popularity does not prevent depression. Fame does not cure loneliness.

That said, celebrities themselves must recognise the realities of the digital age. Developing emotional resilience is no longer optional. Public figures need strong support systems consisting of family, trusted friends, professional counsellors and mentors who can help them navigate the pressures of public life. They must also learn when to disengage from toxic spaces rather than internalise every insult thrown at them.
Importantly, celebrities should not feel compelled to remain silent in the face of abuse. Setting boundaries is not weakness. Calling out cyberbullying is not overreaction. Reporting abusive accounts, pursuing legal remedies where necessary and publicly advocating for respectful online conduct are legitimate responses to harassment.

There is wisdom in the saying that “madness is sometimes used to cure madness,” but this should not be interpreted as encouraging celebrities to descend into the same gutter occupied by their tormentors. Responding to abuse with more abuse merely deepens the toxicity. The better approach is firmness without cruelty, courage without recklessness, and resistance without losing one’s dignity.

Ultimately, social media users must remember a simple truth: behind every celebrity account is a human being. The joke that earns a thousand likes may leave a lasting scar on another person’s mental health. The rumour shared for amusement may become a burden someone carries for years.

A society that prides itself on empathy cannot continue to normalize online cruelty as entertainment. Celebrities are not robots. They are not public property. They are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. They deserve criticism when they err, but they also deserve compassion, respect and the freedom to live without being constantly hunted by digital mobs.

The time has come to stop confusing cruelty with cruise. Let celebrities breathe. Let them live.

Pix credit: sourced from Google