Special issue of Celebrity Studies journal:
SEX AND THE CELEBRITY
This special issue of Celebrity Studies will
explore the relationship between sex, sexuality
and celebrity. It has become commonplace to
argue that we live in an increasingly sexualized
culture. However, the notion of celebrity has
always been invested with, and connected to,
wider debates around sex. Celebrities as a focus
of aspirations, ideals and fears often trade
upon their sexuality or are the subject of
sexual desire, speculation and rumour and in
some cases, opprobrium. The figure of the
celebrity thus can expose the complicated and
contradictory attitudes to sex and sexuality
that exist within and across cultures. This
special edition engages with these issues and
aims to critically address a subject that is
frequently at the forefront of popular debate
whilst relatively overlooked in an academic context.
Submissions may be contemporary or historical;
and may explore celebrities in national or
international contexts, and may be interdisplinary in approach.
Papers might consider, but are not limited to, the following topics:
? Affairs and sex scandals
? Celebrity sex tapes
? â??Candidâ?? paparazzi photography
? Attitudes to sex and celebrity in differing national contextss
? Celebrity and the sex industry
? Porn stars as celebrities
? Sexuality (Gay, lesbian, bisexual) and celebrity
? Alternative forms of celebrity (e.g. internet sex sites)
? Gossip columns and sexual rumour/innuendo
? The sexualized celebrity
? The sex symbol
This edition of Celebrity Studies will be edited by Dr. John Mercer.
Deadline for proposals: 28th February 2011
Notification of Acceptance: 21st March 2011
Deadline for completed papers: 19th December 2011
Please send abstracts of 250 words and a short
bio to John Mercer (john.mercer /at/ bcu.ac.uk)
