The October issue of GQ features Paul McCartney, who usually relies on familiar Beatles stories in interviews. However, in this issue, McCartney appears more open and less concerned about his image, even sharing a story about the Beatles' teenage adventures. This added a new dimension to his public persona and made him more relatable to fans. McCartney's willingness to be transparent in the interview was a refreshing change from his usual reserved self. In contrast, not all high-profile interviews require this level of openness, as seen in the September issue of Vogue featuring Beyoncé. The article accompanying this text is titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words," and it is not a profile but a collection of short commentaries on various topics such as motherhood, family, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes it as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, with only a credit at the end indicating that a journalist was present at some point. This erases outside perspectives and the usual dynamic between interviewer and interviewee in celebrity journalism, which could be concerning for those who value context and depth in the fame economy. This is not a rare occurrence and is seen frequently in the world of pop music. Many well-known artists, like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Frank Ocean, have chosen to avoid the press in recent years. Instead, they communicate with their fans through social media or remain silent altogether. A monologue, not a dialogue, is changing the role of celebrity press. In-depth interviews have been important for creating and maintaining stars since the 1960s. Even at the height of fame, artists still engaged with the media by answering questions. This was how they shared their thoughts and feelings about important events, such as John Lennon discussing the Beatles' breakup, Tupac Shakur speaking from jail, or Courtney Love after Kurt Cobain's death. It was enlightening for fans and a source of pride for celebrities, especially during confrontational interviews. Stars like Ice Cube and Madonna excelled in these situations, showing their thoughtfulness, willingness to be challenged, and awareness of their public image. However, this was in a time when print media held more power compared to the internet and TMZ. As celebrities' every move began to be constantly reported, they became more reserved. While this shift may not necessarily mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism, it does mark a significant change in the industry. However, the pressure on celebrity journalism coming from higher authorities may not be as significant as the threat emerging from younger generations of celebrities who are active on social media platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud. These new celebrities share their lives on their own terms, swiftly and decisively, without the constraints of traditional interviews. This generation values hyper-documentation and has rendered the traditional promise of celebrity journalism, which focuses on providing intimate perspectives and behind-the-scenes access, largely obsolete. For example, the rapper Lil Xan has been involved in several online dramas recently, sharing personal struggles and relationship issues without waiting for traditional media to cover his story. He even announced a series for Netflix on Instagram without going through traditional platforms. At times, social media posts have replaced the traditional tell-all interview, with celebrities like Ariana Grande, XXXTentacion, and Logan Paul using platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share their personal stories. These posts provide a one-sided narrative with limited scrutiny, creating a safe space for young celebrities to connect with their fans. With the widespread reach and targeted audience of social media, traditional celebrity journalism faces challenges in staying relevant. The most famous celebrities have moved away from it, while newer celebrities have grown up in a time where traditional journalism is less important. As time passes, the middle ground may disappear completely. Additionally, there is now a wide range of content being created, making it hard for consumers to distinguish between original journalism and brand-created content. This lack of clarity encourages celebrities to move away from traditional media, where they have less control over the final product. As traditional media outlets face extinction, the new media landscape is often seen as a correction or a noisy distraction. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle this month, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. When the interview was published online, she responded with a lengthy Instagram post expressing her frustration. She mentioned that it was difficult for her to speak candidly for over an hour only to have someone else turn her words into a paid article. As she gets older, she desires for her voice to truly be her own. She then outlined the specific topics she had hoped to discuss in the interview, and expressed disappointment that the focus was shifted to her personal life and church instead. This imbalance in power between celebrities and the press has led publications to compromise their integrity in order to maintain access to famous individuals. This has resulted in celebrities taking on the role of guest editor for magazines, further blurring the lines between control and access. While Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, she actually interviewed rock muse Pattie Boyd in the accompanying article. Rihanna also took her own photograph for the cover of The Fader in 2015, with the help of a professional photographer. This act was a commentary on fame and the cover star taking control of their own image. If these options are not possible, magazines can have a friend of the celebrity conduct the interview instead. In an issue of Elle, Jennifer Lawrence had a conversation with Emma Stone, while Blake Lively interviewed Gigi Hadid for Harper's Bazaar. Cleo Wade, an Instagram affirmation specialist, conducted Katy Perry's cover interview for Glamour. Interview magazine, known for its celebrity interviews, recently made a comeback with Raf Simons chatting with George Condo and Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking with Phoebe Cates, with a journalist occasionally joining in. The magazine shows that the friend being interviewed doesn't necessarily have to be famous. The current Rolling Stone feature with the usually private pop star Sia and the recent New York magazine interview with Woody Allen's wife, Soon-Yi Previn, were both conducted by long-time friends of the subjects. These stories rely on the close relationships between the journalists and their subjects to provide insight, rather than maintaining objectivity. Celebrity profiles are meant to act as a bridge between the reader and the subject, but in the pursuit of exclusivity, ethical boundaries are often ignored. Friendship should not be a requirement for interviews, as it can limit the depth and objectivity of the conversation. Fans are deprived of the insight that comes from challenging questions, rather than just agreeing with the interviewee. It would have been fascinating to have probing discussions with Beyoncé about "Lemonade" or Swift about "Reputation", allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the artists. However, instead of embracing these types of conversations, these celebrities have become closed off. It is unfortunate that we will never get the answers to the unasked questions. Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service.