Our biggest desire culturally is for an ideal body. We are constantly subjected to images, reminders, of how we should look as either a man or a woman, and the products that we can use to change our bodies to look that way. Man and woman are constructed as opposite, mutually exclusive and very small spheres of very specific, narrow qualifications. Men with muscles, women with hourglass frame –- both with sculpted faces, soft, often white skin, brilliant white teeth... on and on and on it goes.
The famous people that fill tabloid magazines/main-stream media uphold and reinforce these looks. These are the ideal bodies of our culture. Because they possess the ideal body, they can become famous; because they are famous, they can possess the ideal body. Either way their possession of the ideal body and consequent fame allows them to profit of it.
Another layer of cultural idealism is then added, excessive wealth. The famous people that fill visual media also uphold and reinforce consumption patterns. They show us what is cool to wear, trendiest places to travel, best food to eat, etc. Turns out the masses never have the right clothes, don't drive the right cars -- simply do not have enough stuff/money. Yet, if we buy more stuff, change ourselves, we too, can become a better -- more attractive, cool, powerful, and beautiful version of ourselves.
We too can achieve the ideal body. We too can achieve the ideal wealth. We too can achieve the American Dream.