In the October issue of GQ, Paul McCartney was interviewed and shared new insights about his life and experiences. Unlike before, where he relied on old Beatles stories, McCartney appeared more open and less concerned about his public image. He even discussed the band's teenage escapades in a way that surprised many. This level of openness was refreshing for both readers and fans, as it humanized the legendary musician. It required McCartney to answer questions and engage in a give-and-take that is not always expected in high-profile interviews, such as Beyoncé's feature in the September issue of Vogue. The article accompanying this text is titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words" and is not a profile, but a collection of brief comments on various topics by Beyoncé herself. Anna Wintour describes the article as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé, suggesting it as a positive aspect. While a journalist was involved in the process, the outside perspectives have been mostly removed, which could be concerning for fans of celebrity journalism. This lack of outside perspective could be seen as a potential issue for those who value context and depth in celebrity coverage. It is not a single occurrence, but rather a common trend in the music industry, particularly in pop music. Many of the most well-known artists, such as Taylor Swift, Drake, and Frank Ocean, have been avoiding traditional press interviews for extended periods of time. Instead, they are relying on social media to share their stories, which may not be as fulfilling as in-depth interviews. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, has the potential to disrupt the traditional role of the celebrity press. In-depth interviews have been vital for creating stars since the 1960s, as well as for maintaining their status. Celebrities continued to engage with the media even after reaching the peak of their fame, viewing it as part of their job. It was through answering questions that the most influential cultural figures, such as John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, and Courtney Love, shared their thoughts and experiences with the public. The interviews used to be enlightening for fans and a point of pride for celebrities, particularly when they were confrontational. Stars like Ice Cube and Madonna thrived in such situations, showing themselves to be thoughtful, unafraid of challenges, and aware of their public image. However, this dynamic occurred when print media held more power, before the internet and TMZ took over the narrative. As celebrity movements were increasingly monitored in real time, many stars became more reserved. This shift alone may not mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism. However, the pressure on celebrity journalism coming from higher-ups may not be as significant as the threat emerging from below. A new generation of celebrities, including YouTube stars, SoundCloud rappers, and other young individuals, are sharing their lives extensively on social media on their own terms. They move quickly and decisively, without the constraints of traditional interviews. This generation values hyper-documentation and makes traditional celebrity journalism, which focuses on intimate perspectives and behind-the-scenes access, mostly irrelevant. A prime example is the rapper Lil Xan, who has recently been involved in various online dramas, discussing his health issues, conflicts with his management, and relationships with Noah Cyrus. He doesn't wait for traditional media to catch up to his story, instead announcing his own news on platforms like Instagram. In today's world, social media posts have replaced traditional tell-all interviews for celebrities. Ariana Grande, XXXTentacion, and Logan Paul have all used platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share their personal stories and address controversies. These one-sided narratives often go unchallenged and create safe spaces for young celebrities to connect with their fans. As social media audiences continue to grow, traditional celebrity journalism faces challenges in keeping up with the changing landscape. As time passes, the middle ground may disappear completely. Additionally, there is now a wide variety of content being created, making it hard for consumers to distinguish between original reporting and aggregated content, journalism-produced content and brand-produced content. This lack of clarity pushes well-known figures away from traditional media, where they have less control over the final product. With the decline of old media approaching, the new media landscape is often seen as a solution or a noisy diversion. This month, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle magazine, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. However, after the interview was published online, she responded with a lengthy Instagram post expressing her frustration. She admitted that it was difficult for her to speak from the heart for over an hour only to have someone else put those thoughts into paid words. As she grows older, she wants her voice to be authentic and truly hers. She listed the topics she had hoped to discuss in the interview, and criticized the focus on her personal life and church. The power dynamic now favors famous individuals over the press, causing publications to find creative ways to maintain access to these celebrities. This has led to celebrities editing special issues of magazines. While Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, she actually conducted the interview with 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 seen as a commentary on fame and the celebrity being in control of their own image. If those options aren't possible, magazines can choose a friend of the celebrity to conduct the interview instead. In the magazine Elle, Jennifer Lawrence spoke with Emma Stone. Gigi Hadid's Harper's Bazaar May cover interview was conducted by Blake Lively. Cleo Wade, an Instagram affirmation specialist, interviewed Katy Perry for the March Glamour cover. The magazine Interview, known for its celebrity interviews, has been revived recently. In the comeback issue, Raf Simons converses with George Condo with a journalist occasionally chiming in, while Jennifer Jason Leigh speaks to Phoebe Cates. The friend being interviewed doesn't even have to be famous. The current feature in Rolling Stone with the usually private pop star Sia is written by a self-proclaimed longtime friend, while New York magazine's recent interview with Woody Allen's wife, Soon-Yi Previn, was conducted by a friend of Allen, causing backlash on Twitter. These articles rely on friendships to provide insight, rather than maintaining objectivity as the press should. Celebrity profiles typically adhere to the idea that journalists represent the reader, not the subject, but in the pursuit of exclusive access, ethical standards are often disregarded. Friendship should not be a requirement for interviewing celebrities, as it can limit the depth and authenticity of the conversation. Fans miss out on the potential for more insightful and challenging discussions when interviewers are only focused on pleasing their friends. It is a missed opportunity for both the audience and the interview subjects to showcase their full complexity. Unfortunately, many stars have chosen to keep their interviews guarded and superficial, preventing the public from gaining a deeper understanding of their work and perspectives. It is unfortunate that important questions go unasked and unanswered as a result. Text = Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service.