Hmm…Why do movie stars wear sunglasses?
Photo credit: From Wikimedia Commons. © Hamed Saber
Is it because it’s cool? Is it because sunglasses add an air of mystery to a person’s face? Maybe it’s just a fashion statement: I don’t have to look at you, I’ve got better things to do?
Maybe they just like to show off how much money they have. Sunglasses can get very expensive…just look for a nice pair of Dolce & Gabanna or Ray-Ban. When you see those diamond-encrusted specs, what do you think is in their back pocket? Hmmm…
Is it because sunglasses add a youthful air to people? To give them that I-feel-twenty-forever-and-I’m-indestructable feeling?
Maybe not.
I’ll tell you why movie stars wear sunglasses.
© Jonathan McIntosh
Sunglasses have a way of masking your identity. Of hiding you in a certain way…After all, who wants to live their whole lives in the public eye? Eesh. How depressing. 
Would you like to live your life under the public eye? I know movie stars may have it rough; just look at one of the oh-so-common tabloid stars. They make one slip, it’s published all over the country. “Photos from Louise’s private wedding!” they boast. I mean come on. Seriously. Give it a rest, paparazzi. The lenses come out, the movie stars slip on their shades…
But we writers have it different, I’d like to believe. We can publish a book, then retire to our mountain cabin, I’d like to believe.
Of course, notice how I keep saying, I’d like to believe. I’m not sure it’s true…This is partly why I’ve wanted to keep my writerly identity secret (That, and I don’t place a lot of faith in the internet’s “benevolence”). It’d be nice to walk down the street, and instead of having people say, “Hey look, it’s JOSEPH CABITT!!!!! AAAAAAAhHH!!!!!” they’ll say, “Hey, how’s it going,—”
Oops, did you really think I’d tell? 
I have also wondered this! Yeah, it might be to mask them from the flashing cameras, but haven’t they learned that it only draws more attention to them…
Good post!
Posted by Isabella Louise Anderson | March 2, 2011, 19:21Thanks for dropping by!!!
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 2, 2011, 21:45Exactly! I think that some of them enjoy being in the spotlight, even though when they are quoted in US, People or any other celeb magazine, they say that they don’t…
Posted by Isabella Louise Anderson | March 2, 2011, 22:50We’ve definitely got a culture built around attention toward nearly-insignificant (to my knowledge) individuals. How about the person who donated money to an orphanage? Those missionaries who go to deepest darkest Africa? The people who work on a soup kitchen every day? Don’t you think there’s a more worthy place to give our attention? Just some thoughts bout America…
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 2, 2011, 22:56Your name is beautiful – just thought I’d let you know.
Posted by milkfever | March 3, 2011, 19:08Not you, JP, although there’s nothing wrong with your name; it’s nice. I meant Isabella.
Posted by milkfever | March 3, 2011, 19:14Lolol…Um, I did think that was a kinda weird comment…:D
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 3, 2011, 20:40Oh, thank you! It’s my pen-name!
Happy Friday!
Posted by Isabella Louise Anderson | March 4, 2011, 12:57Pen names are great because you can choose whatever name you want—and not that given name that you’re stuck with forever.
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 4, 2011, 12:58It’s those stupid camera flashes… it makes it hard for them to drive… that’s why they get in so many accidents too.
If I was famous, I’d wear sun glasses too. And as far as writers being different, I like to believe a pen name still affords some privacy.
Posted by Austin James | March 2, 2011, 19:45Lol, hadn’t thought of that…Good point! Maybe they should start painting black lines under their eyes to keep off the glare…
I’m with ya.
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 2, 2011, 21:46That is so funny, yet so true!
Posted by Isabella Louise Anderson | March 2, 2011, 22:50The mysterious writer identity builds a lot of intrigue. =) Didn’t think I would, but I love it! It seems to work for you. =)
Posted by Samantha Bangayan | March 2, 2011, 22:28
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 2, 2011, 22:53Wow, you must live a nice place. People here will barely look you in the eyes and when they do, they certainly don’t ask, “Hey, how’s it going?”
I agree with your thought that stars hide behind their sunglasses.
Posted by jannatwrites | March 2, 2011, 22:40
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 2, 2011, 22:54I bought my “Dior” sunglasses while I was in Vietnam and they haven’t lasted very well at all. One of the arms has fallen off and it’s really tricky to try and balance them on my nose without looking weird. So I’m glad no one is trying to photograph me. That said, I did have a waitress recently – one I’d never seen before – tell me she was reading my book. Strange. I was too shy to ask if she was actually enjoying it.
I like the happy shade of green, btw, JP, it works well.
Posted by milkfever | March 3, 2011, 19:13LOL—That’s pretty awesome about the waitress.
Thanks. I was ready for a change. This is a kind of “Planty” theme…unintentionally, in honor of my roommate. (Whose name is Planty. No, really. He’s a plant.)
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 3, 2011, 20:43OH OH OH I get it now! I thought you were reading a book in a restaurant, and she was reading over your shoulder.
Now I get it.
But that’s kind of neat, that she recognized you…neat in a homey sort of way. I imagine it would be a bit different if they were flocking to you all the time…
Posted by J. P. Cabit | March 3, 2011, 21:24