The October issue of GQ features Paul McCartney, who usually relies on familiar Beatles stories that are decades old. However, in this issue, he appears more unprepared and less concerned about his public image. In several lengthy conversations, he shared personal anecdotes, including one about the Beatles' teenage sexual experiences. This unexpected openness was both appealing to readers and fans, as well as a welcome change for McCartney himself, who has been famous for so long that he is seen more as a figure than a person. This level of honesty required being willing to answer questions and engage in a give-and-take that comes with such a high-profile profile. Not all major stories require this level of transparency, as seen in the September issue of Vogue featuring Beyoncé on the cover. The article titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words" is not a profile, but rather a collection of brief commentaries on various topics such as motherhood, family, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes it as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, suggesting that this is a positive aspect. While there was a journalist involved in the process, the piece ultimately lacks outside perspectives, with only a "as told to" credit at the end. This erasure of outside perspectives may not be a concern for Beyoncé fans, but it raises questions for those interested in celebrity journalism, which typically thrives on the interaction between interviewer and interviewee. It is not a rare occurrence. In the world of pop music, many well-known artists avoid the press. Taylor Swift has not done a substantial interview or been featured in a print publication for at least two years. Drake has been avoiding the press for about a year, and Frank Ocean has essentially disappeared. Instead of traditional media coverage, artists are now relying on one-way communication through social media. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, is changing the role of celebrity press. In-depth interviews have been important for creating stars since the 1960s and for maintaining their image, as artists continued to engage with the media even after reaching the height of fame. Answering questions was seen as part of the job, allowing cultural icons like John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, and Courtney Love to explain themselves in times of significance. It used to be enlightening for fans and a source of pride for celebrities, especially when facing tough interviews. Stars like Ice Cube and Madonna thrived in these situations, showing themselves to be thoughtful, unafraid of challenges, and aware of their public image. However, this was during a time when print media had more power and before the internet and TMZ took control of the narrative. As celebrities started being scrutinized every minute, they became more guarded. While this shift doesn't necessarily mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism, it does mark a significant change in the industry. The pressure on celebrity journalism from higher-ups may not be as significant as the threat coming from below, as a new generation of celebrities are actively sharing their lives on social media without the need for traditional interviews. This generation values quick and direct communication, making the traditional approach of celebrity journalism, which focuses on personal perspectives and exclusive access, less relevant. This is exemplified by rapper Lil Xan, who has been sharing personal dramas online without waiting for traditional media to catch up. He recently announced a new project on Instagram, bypassing traditional platforms. In today's digital age, social media posts have replaced traditional tell-all interviews for celebrities. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat provide a one-sided narrative without much scrutiny beyond the comments section. This has created a highly visible safe space for young celebrities to connect with their audience directly, surpassing the reach of traditional publications. As a result, celebrity journalism faces an unsolvable conundrum as the most famous stars have abandoned it while the newly famous have grown up in an era where it is largely irrelevant. As time goes on, the middle ground may disappear completely. Additionally, the variety of content being produced has increased, making it challenging for consumers to distinguish between original journalism and branded content. This ambiguity pushes celebrities towards non-traditional media platforms where they have more control over the final product. With traditional media outlets dwindling, the new media landscape is often seen as a way to counteract or divert attention from this decline. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle this month, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. But when it was posted online, she responded with a lengthy Instagram post expressing her frustration. She mentioned how difficult it is for her to speak candidly to someone who turns her thoughts into paid content, and expressed her desire for her voice to be truly her own as she gets older. She then outlined the topics she had hoped to emphasize in the interview, while criticizing the excessive focus on her personal life and church. As celebrities gain more power over the media, publications have been forced to find ways to maintain access by giving up some control. This has led to celebrities editing special issues of magazines. While Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, she took on the role of interviewer in the accompanying article, posing questions to rock muse Pattie Boyd. In a similar vein, Rihanna took her own photograph for the cover of The Fader in 2015, with the help of a professional photographer. This act served as a commentary on widespread fame and the cover star's ability to take her own image. If these methods are not feasible, magazines can opt to have a friend of the celebrity conduct the interview. In Elle magazine, Jennifer Lawrence interviewed Emma Stone, while Blake Lively conducted Gigi Hadid's interview for Harper's Bazaar May cover. Katy Perry's interview for the March Glamour cover was done by Instagram affirmation specialist Cleo Wade. The magazine Interview, known for its celebrity conversations, has recently been revived; in the latest issue, Raf Simons talks to George Condo (with a journalist occasionally chiming in) and Jennifer Jason Leigh speaks with Phoebe Cates. The friend being interviewed doesn't even have to be a famous celebrity. In a recent article in Rolling Stone, the author, who is a close friend of the typically private pop star Sia, discusses the trend of journalists using their personal connections to celebrities for interviews, such as the exclusive interview with Soon-Yi Previn conducted by a friend of Woody Allen. These articles rely on the idea of friendship to provide insight, rather than maintaining journalistic objectivity. The traditional role of the journalist as a proxy for the reader is often abandoned in favor of exclusive access, leading to ethical concerns. Friendship should not be a requirement, but rather a hindrance when it comes to interviews. This approach does a disservice to fans who would benefit from more challenging conversations rather than just agreeing with the interviewee. If journalists were able to have probing discussions with celebrities like Beyoncé about "Lemonade" or Taylor Swift about "Reputation," it would not only be enlightening for the public but also allow the interviewees to show their true complexities. Unfortunately, many celebrities have closed themselves off, missing out on the opportunity for deeper conversations. It is regretful that we will never know the answers to the unasked questions. Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service.