Essay Sample on Fame and Ruin: 3 Artists Whose Careers Ended Abruptly

Introduction

Some famous artists live in a world of perceived reality in which common laws and societal norms don't apply. It is unfortunate that such a glamorous lifestyle can lead to instances where poor judgment and scandals can ruin their once promising careers. Like most stars, gifted artists are susceptible to mistakes and drama. They usually don't get a second chance since the court of opinion is likely to bash them for life. This essay looks at three artists whose careers ended after a damaging scandal.

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Rick James

Rick James was a popular African American musician during the late 1980s and early 1980s. He began singing at an early age on the corners of his hometown of buffalo, New York. In 1977, James joined the famous Motown Records music production company and started a solo career. His biggest hit was a song titled Super Freak released in 1981 and which was nominated for Grammy award. James was well-known for his trademark braids and aggressive brand of danceable funk music. He was often referred to as the 'king of punk-funk.'

Despite success in music, James career was dogged by his wild lifestyle characterized by drug abuse and criminal activity. In 1991, he and his then fiancee Tanya Hijazi were accused of holding a woman called Frances Alley hostage during a drug-taking binge. The two allegedly tortured and sexually abused Alley over several days at James' home. James and Hijazi were arrested and charged with several felony counts, including false imprisonment, torture, supplying cocaine, assault, and aggravated mayhem. A woman came forward a year later accusing James of torture and assault. Prosecutors cut a deal that saw James sentenced to two years at Folsom State Prison. The jail term effectively ended James' music career as, by the time he was released in 1996, he was declared bankrupt and could not find a recording company to sign him. Rick James died of a cardiac and pulmonary failure on 6th august 2004 at his home located in Burbank, California.

Ashlee Simpson

Ashlee Simpson was a promising A-list musician and reality television queen, and was on course to becoming a pop star just like her older sister Jessica. In 2004, she released an album titled Autobiography that did well enough to earn her a performing slot on the popular television show Saturday Night Live. However, she was caught lip-syncing when vocals of a previous song began to play when she was performing another track. Simpson tried to save the situation by performing a dance, but the show had to take a commercial break. She eventually had to leave the stage under intense embarrassment. She did not figure out the mistake at first, instead blaming her band for playing the wrong track. Her recording company stated that the entire incident was caused by a computer glitch. However, a few days later, Simpson admitted to lip syncing. This incident ruined her only realistic shot at fame and caused her career to plummet as fast as it had shot to the top.

The embarrassing incident undermined the overall reception of the works Ashlee Simpson had done at around that time. It was a marring experience that haunts her career even today. To make matters worse, she had been caught red-handed doing what she had vowed never to do. In an earlier interview with a popular magazine, she stated that she was totally against lip-syncing and was even offended by it.

Chris Brown

By 2009, Chris Brown was doing well atop pop and R &B charts. At around the same time, he was a regular headlines item due to his blossoming relationship with fellow pop star Rihanna. However, everything would come to an abrupt stop in February that year. After attending a party the night before the Grammy awards, the two got into a heated argument over a text message that Brown had received from another woman. The spat eventually escalated to violence whereby Brown brutally assaulted his then girlfriend, leaving her bruised and battered. A few days later, a graphic photograph of the injuries he caused to Rihanna's face emerged. The leaked photo showed the pop diva with lumps on the forehead, bruised cheeks, and a busted lip from the altercation. Brown was charged with assault and felony criminal threats, and was sentenced to five years of probation and communication.

It is unfortunate that the assault incident caused irreparable damage to Chris Brown's career and that it is unlikely that he will ever regain the public's respect again. Since the incident, Brown has turned into a troublemaker who regularly falls on the wrong side of the law. An ex -fiancee called Karreuche Tran was even granted a restraining order against him. It is surprising that the artist still sells records and goes on tour despite his numerous criminal escapades. In the modern era, a lot of artists have been shut down commercial even with no felony conviction. The inclination to overlook a celebrity's misbehavior for the sake of entertainment has allowed Brown to survive in the music industry so far. However, his entire career is at stake and it's only a matter of time before his luck runs out.

Works Cited

James, Rick. The Confessions of Rick James: Memoirs of a Super Freak. Amber Books, 2007.

Rothman, Emily F., et al. "US tabloid magazine coverage of a celebrity dating abuse incident: Rihanna and Chris Brown." Journal of health communication 17.6 (2012): 733-744.