Debunking celebrity culture

Health science expert and pop culture writer Timothy Caulfield enjoyed some crazy moments in his career.

One of them was giving a talk at the National Academy of Science, D.C. that discussed Gwyneth Paltrow championing the benefits of steaming vaginas.

“It was at that moment that I reflected if my entire career had brought me to this. I had always been passionate about science and informed about health policy. Through the course of my career, I’d seen some bizarre trends and fads with some celebrity connections. As I did more research, I realized the importance of a topic that needs to be talked about,” said Caulfield.

In 2015, the University of Alberta instructor released a book on the incredible influence celebrities have on our individual choices and health-care decisions.

In Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash, Caulfield debunks the messages and promises that flow from stars whether it’s about health, diets, beauty or whatever is supposed to bring joy in our lives.

“We even don’t realize the impact they have on us. You may not agree with Gwyneth Paltrow. You may not think she has credibility, but because of her cultural footprint and brand, she has impact.”

While many celebrity statements are penned in the book, Paltrow gets the most hits on her advocacy of colon cleanses, vaginal steaming and eating gluten free foods.

“Her messages appear predisposed to beauty. The message is ‘look good in a bikini.’”

He also examines Jenny McCarthy’s endorsements that childhood vaccinations are linked to autism. Although there was no credible science backing her statements, thousands of parents put their children at risk by stopping vaccinations.

He notes that social media ups the ante.

“That ups their power. Through Twitter, they feel a more tangible connection to us. Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga allow us to feel close to them. It allows them to talk as if they are genuinely closer to us.”

One of the best examples of celebrity power, he says, is the Jolie Effect created after two articles appeared in the New York Times on genetic testing and prophylactic surgery. Again, there was an upswing in the demand for prophylactic surgery to prevent breast cancer.

One of Caulfield’s biggest surprises was the lack of scientific evidence from the beauty industry to prop up their claims.

“It was nearly impossible to find. Not even the beauty industry has it and there is nothing independent. It’s a massive multi-billion dollar industry for products that don’t work or work marginally on some people.”

In looking back at his success, Caulfield feels incredibly fortunate both with the media coverage and the way people responded.

“A lot of it was luck and timing. Gwyneth was saying crazy things and there was a pushback on Dr. Oz. The response was wonderful. It’s the discussion around it that’s important and that’s what I hope for.”

Timothy Caulfield appears at the Arden Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 16 for an evening of thought-provoking discussion.