The October issue of GQ features Paul McCartney, who has relied on familiar Beatles stories for years. However, in his GQ interview, he appeared more casual and less concerned about his image than expected. He even shared a story about the Beatles' teenage escapades, which made headlines. This was a refreshing change for both readers and fans, as it showed a different side of McCartney. It required him to be open and willing to answer questions. Not all major stories require this level of transparency, like the September issue of Vogue with Beyoncé on the cover. The article accompanying this piece is titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words," and consists of short commentaries on various topics like motherhood, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes it as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, with minimal outside perspective. This may not bother fans of Beyoncé, but for those who value in-depth celebrity journalism, the lack of external viewpoints could be seen as a problem. Many well-known pop music artists, such as Taylor Swift, Drake, and Frank Ocean, have been avoiding the press for some time now, opting instead to communicate with their fans through social media or by remaining silent altogether. This trend is not limited to just a few artists, but rather seems to be a common occurrence in the industry. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, is seen as a potential threat to the traditional role of celebrity interviews. Since the 1960s, in-depth interviews have been essential for creating stars and maintaining their public image. Artists continued to engage with the media even after reaching the height of fame, as answering questions was considered part of their job. These interviews provided a platform for celebrities to explain themselves and share their thoughts on important cultural moments, such as John Lennon discussing the Beatles' breakup, Tupac Shakur speaking from jail, or Courtney Love reflecting on Kurt Cobain's death. It used to be enlightening for fans and a source of pride for celebrities, especially when interviews were confrontational. Stars like Ice Cube and Madonna excelled in those situations, showing their thoughtful nature and willingness to face challenges while managing their public image. However, this was during a time when print media held significant power, before the internet and TMZ took over the narrative. As celebrities' every move became constantly documented, they became more hesitant to engage with the media. This shift alone wouldn't necessarily mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism. The pressure on celebrity journalism from higher-ups may not be as intense as the threat emerging from the younger generation of celebrities who share their lives on social media without the need for traditional interviews. This new generation, which includes YouTube stars and SoundCloud rappers, values immediate and unfiltered communication, rendering the traditional promise of celebrity journalism obsolete. An example of this shift is rapper Lil Xan, who frequently shares personal dramas online without waiting for traditional media to catch up. In today's world, social media posts have replaced traditional tell-all interviews for celebrities. Famous individuals like Ariana Grande, XXXTentacion, and Logan Paul have used platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share their personal stories and apologies, without facing much scrutiny. This has created a safe space for young celebrities to connect with their audience directly, surpassing the reach of traditional media outlets. As a result, celebrity journalism faces a challenging dilemma, as the most famous individuals no longer need it, and the up-and-coming stars have grown up in a time where it is less significant. As time passes, the middle ground may eventually disappear. Additionally, there is now a wide range of content being created, making it challenging for consumers to distinguish between original reporting and aggregated content, as well as content from journalistic outlets and brands. This lack of clarity encourages celebrities to move away from traditional media where they have less control over the final product. With the decline of traditional media, the new media ecosystem is often used to provide a corrective or serve as a noisy distraction. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle this month, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. However, when it was published online, she responded with a lengthy Instagram post expressing her frustration. She explained how difficult it is for her to speak candidly for over an hour only to have someone else interpret her words for profit. She emphasized her desire for her voice to remain authentic as she grows older. She then outlined the topics she had hoped to discuss in the interview and criticized the focus on her personal life and church. With the balance of power shifting in favor of celebrities, publications, struggling financially, are resorting to unconventional methods to maintain access to famous individuals. This includes allowing celebrities to "edit" special issues of magazines. Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, but in the article, she takes on the role of interviewer, asking questions to rock muse Pattie Boyd. Likewise, in 2015, Rihanna took her own photograph for the cover of The Fader, with the help of a professional photographer. This act was seen as a commentary on the all-seeing nature of fame, as well as the cover star taking control of their own image. If these options are not feasible, magazines can opt to have a friend of the celebrity conduct the interview instead. In Elle magazine, Jennifer Lawrence spoke with Emma Stone. Gigi Hadid was interviewed for the Harper's Bazaar May cover by Blake Lively. Cleo Wade, an Instagram affirmation specialist, conducted Katy Perry's interview for the March issue of Glamour. Interview magazine, known for featuring conversations between celebrities, has recently been revived. In the comeback issue, Raf Simons converses with George Condo (with input from a journalist) and Jennifer Jason Leigh chats with Phoebe Cates. It's worth noting that the friend being interviewed doesn't necessarily have to be famous. The current feature in Rolling Stone with the reclusive pop star Sia and the recent exclusive interview with Soon-Yi Previn in New York magazine, conducted by friends of the subjects, have raised concerns about the role of objectivity in journalism. These stories rely on personal relationships to gain access and insight, rather than maintaining journalistic integrity. The traditional role of a journalist as a proxy for the reader is often abandoned in favor of exclusive access, leading to ethical dilemmas. Friendship should not be a requirement for interviews, as it can prevent meaningful conversations. Fans miss out on the depth of discussions that could occur if interviewers were willing to challenge their subjects. It would have been fascinating to see probing conversations with Beyoncé about “Lemonade” or Swift about “Reputation”, allowing for a more nuanced portrayal of the interviewees. Unfortunately, many celebrities have become closed off, leading to missed opportunities for both the audience and the subjects. It is unfortunate that we will never learn the answers to the unasked questions. Text = Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service.