The October issue of GQ features Paul McCartney, who usually relies on old Beatles stories but in this interview, he appeared unprepared, indecisive, and less concerned about his image. He shared a story about the Beatles' teenage experiences that led to a provocative headline in the New York Post. This revelation was both intriguing for fans and a humanizing moment for McCartney, who is often seen as larger than life. It required him to be open and vulnerable, unlike Beyoncé in the September issue of Vogue. The article titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words" is not a profile, but rather a collection of brief comments on various topics like motherhood, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes it as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, with minimal outside influence from the journalist who was present during the process. This lack of outside perspective may not bother Beyoncé's fans, but it is concerning for those who value celebrity journalism for its ability to provide context and depth to the fame economy through interactions between interviewer and interviewee. The situation is not unique. Many popular musicians, like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Frank Ocean, have been avoiding interviews with traditional media outlets for extended periods of time. Instead, they are sharing their stories and messages through social media platforms. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, is posing a threat to the traditional role of the celebrity press. In-depth interviews have been essential for creating stars since the 1960s, as well as for maintaining the image of high-profile celebrities. Even after reaching the peak of fame, artists continued to fulfill their media obligations by answering questions. This was how the most intriguing cultural figures, such as John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, and Courtney Love, explained themselves in moments of significance. It was enlightening for fans and a point of pride for celebrities, especially during confrontational conversations. 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 in a time when print media held more power and the internet and TMZ had not yet taken over the narrative. As celebrities' every move became constantly documented, they became more hesitant. This shift alone wouldn't mean the end of celebrity journalism as it has been known for years. However, the pressure faced by celebrity journalism from higher-ups may not be as significant as the threat emerging from below. A new generation of celebrities, including YouTube stars and SoundCloud rappers, are sharing personal details on social media at a rapid pace, without needing to adhere to the traditional constraints of interviews. This generation values all-access hyper-documentation, rendering the traditional focus of celebrity journalism on intimate perspectives and behind-the-scenes access irrelevant. For example, rapper Lil Xan has been involved in various online dramas recently, such as discussing his health issues and conflicts with his management on Instagram live, as well as dating and breaking up with Noah Cyrus. Instead of waiting for traditional media to catch up, he is taking control of his narrative by announcing his projects directly on Instagram without going through traditional channels. At times, social media posts now serve the same purpose as tell-all interviews once did. Celebrities like Ariana Grande, XXXTentacion, and Logan Paul have used platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share personal stories and apologies, reaching a large, supportive audience without the scrutiny of traditional journalism. This shift has created a dilemma for celebrity journalism, as established stars ignore it and up-and-comers find it less relevant in the age of social media. As time passes, the middle ground may disappear completely. Additionally, there has been a variety of content creation, making it challenging for consumers to distinguish between original reporting and aggregated content, journalistic outlets and brand-created content. This lack of clarity pushes celebrities towards non-traditional media platforms where they have more control over the final product. With the decline of traditional media, the new media landscape is often seen as a solution or a noisy diversion. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle this month, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. However, when the interview was posted online, she responded with a lengthy Instagram post expressing her frustration. She explained that it was difficult for her to speak openly for over an hour only to have her words turned into paid content by someone else. As she grows older, she desires more control over her own voice. She then outlined the specific 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 over the media, publications are forced to make compromises in order to maintain access to these famous individuals. This has led to celebrities being given the opportunity to edit special issues of magazines. Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, but in the article, she acted as the interviewer for rock muse Pattie Boyd. Similarly, in 2015, Rihanna took a photo of herself for the cover of The Fader, with the help of a professional photographer. This act served as a commentary on celebrity fame and the concept of a cover star capturing their own image. If these options are not feasible, magazines can have a friend of the celebrity conduct the interview instead. In the magazine Elle, Jennifer Lawrence interviewed Emma Stone, while Blake Lively conducted Gigi Hadid's Harper's Bazaar May cover interview. Katy Perry's March Glamour cover interview was done by Instagram affirmation specialist Cleo Wade. Interview, a magazine known for featuring conversations between celebrities, has recently been brought back. In the comeback issue, Raf Simons talks with George Condo (with occasional input from a journalist) and Jennifer Jason Leigh speaks with Phoebe Cates. The friend being interviewed doesn't even have to be famous. In a recent article in Rolling Stone, the writer reveals himself as a close friend of the usually private pop star Sia. Similarly, New York magazine's recent interview with Soon-Yi Previn, Woody Allen's wife, was conducted by a long-time friend of Allen, causing criticism on Twitter. These articles rely on personal connections with subjects rather than independent journalism, ignoring the traditional role of the press as impartial observers. Celebrity profiles usually promise that the journalist represents the reader, not the subject, but in the pursuit of exclusivity, ethical standards are often ignored. Friendship should not be a requirement, but rather something that disqualifies someone from getting an interview. This is unfair to fans who miss out on the insights that come from challenging conversations, rather than just agreeing with everything the interviewee says. Imagine how enlightening it would be to have probing discussions with Beyoncé about "Lemonade" or Swift about "Reputation", allowing for a deeper understanding of the artists. Unfortunately, these stars have isolated themselves instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue. It is a loss, as we will never learn the answers to questions left unasked. Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service.