In the October issue of GQ, Paul McCartney opened up in a series of conversations, showing a more unscripted and relaxed side of himself. He shared stories that were both revealing for readers and fans, and also helped soften his long-standing image as a legendary figure. This level of transparency required him to answer questions and engage in give-and-take for the profile. However, not all major stories require this level of openness from their subjects, as seen in the September issue of Vogue featuring Beyoncé on the cover. The article accompanying this text is titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words," which is a collection of short comments by Beyoncé on various topics such as motherhood, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes it as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, with minimal input from a journalist. While fans may not mind, this approach could be a concern for those who appreciate the depth and context that interviews can provide in celebrity journalism. The trend of famous pop music performers avoiding the press is not limited to just a few instances. Taylor Swift, Drake, and Frank Ocean have all kept their distance from the media, with Swift not giving a substantial interview to a print publication in at least two years. Instead, they rely on social media to share one-sided narratives or remain silent altogether. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, is changing the role of celebrity press. Since the 1960s, in-depth interviews have been important for creating stars and maintaining their celebrity status. Artists continued to interact with the media even after reaching the height of fame, as answering questions was seen as part of their job. This was how they explained themselves and their work to the public, such as John Lennon discussing the Beatles' breakup, Tupac Shakur speaking from jail, or Courtney Love after Kurt Cobain's death. It used to be enlightening for fans and a mark of prestige for celebrities, especially when interviews were confrontational. Artists 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 dynamic was more common when print media had more influence and before the internet and TMZ took over the narrative. The constant scrutiny of celebrities' lives led to a decline in their openness. This shift doesn't necessarily mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism. The pressure on celebrity journalism from higher up may not be as significant as the threat emerging from below, where a new generation of celebrities, such as YouTube stars and SoundCloud rappers, are sharing their lives on social media in their own way, without the need for traditional interviews. This generation values instant and messy documentation over the more intimate and behind-the-scenes approach of traditional celebrity journalism. A prime example is rapper Lil Xan, who has been sharing his personal dramas online, from health issues to relationships, without waiting for traditional media to catch up. In today's world, social media posts have taken over the role that used to be reserved for revealing interviews. Celebrities like Ariana Grande, XXXTentacion, and Logan Paul have turned to platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share their personal stories and apologies without facing much scrutiny. This trend has created a safe space for young celebrities to communicate directly with their fans, surpassing traditional media outlets in terms of audience reach and engagement. As a result, celebrity journalism is facing a challenging dilemma, as the most famous individuals bypass traditional media entirely, while newer celebrities have grown up in a digital age where traditional journalism holds little relevance. As time passes, the middle ground may disappear completely. Additionally, there is now a variety of content being produced, 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 is prompting celebrities to move away from traditional media where they have less control over the final product. With the decline of old media, the new media ecosystem is often seen as a way to correct or distract from the situation. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle this month with a relatively harmless 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 freely for over an hour to someone who then turned her thoughts into paid content. She emphasized the importance of having her own voice as she gets older. She listed the topics she wanted to focus on in the interview and criticized the media for focusing too much on her personal life and church. She noted the imbalance of power between celebrities and the press, leading publications to resort to desperate measures to maintain access to famous individuals. This includes celebrities editing special issues of magazines. Swift was on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, where she conducted an interview with rock muse Pattie Boyd. Rihanna also took her own photo for The Fader's cover 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. In the magazine Elle, Jennifer Lawrence had a conversation 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 celebrity interviews, has been revived, with Raf Simons speaking with George Condo in the comeback issue. Jennifer Jason Leigh also talks to Phoebe Cates in the same issue. The friend being interviewed does not have to be a famous person. The current feature in Rolling Stone with the private pop star Sia is written by a self-proclaimed longtime friend of hers, while New York magazine's recent interview with Soon-Yi Previn, Woody Allen's wife, was conducted by a longtime friend of Allen. These stories rely on the idea of close friendships to provide insight, rather than maintaining objectivity as a journalist. The unwritten agreement in celebrity profiles is that the journalist represents the reader, not the subject. However, in the pursuit of exclusivity, ethical standards are often ignored. Friendship should not be a requirement for interviews, but rather a hindrance. This can prevent fans from experiencing challenging conversations and missing out on the full complexity of the interview subjects. It is a missed opportunity for both curiosity and for the interviewees to be fully explored. Sadly, instead of engaging in probing conversations, many stars have become closed off. This is disappointing as it means that important questions are left unasked and unanswered. Text = The New York Times News Service copyright 2018.