A
pop icon is a
celebrity whose fame in
pop culture constitutes a defining characteristic of a given society or era. Although there is no single definitive test for establishing "pop icon" status, such status is usually associated with elements such as longevity,
ubiquity, and distinction. Moreover, "pop icon" status is distinguishable from other kinds of notoriety outside of popular culture, such as with historic figures.
[ Note, however, that some historic figures are recognized as having reached "pop icon" status during their era, and such status may continue into the present. World famous and recognized pop icons include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears and others., Mozart: )] Longevity
Usually, the pop icon status of a celebrity is contingent upon longevity of notoriety.
This is in contrast to
cult icons, whose notoriety or recognition may be limited to a specific
subculture. Some pop icons have left a lasting and indelible mark in the area of their career, and then gone on to attain a lasting place of recognition in society at large.
Ubiquity
A common element of pop icon status is the ubiquity of imagery and allusions to the iconic figure. It is common for the figure to be recognized and even celebrated in areas outside the original source of celebrity status. An example of this is
Albert Einstein, a
physicist whose image and legacy have been represented in comic strips, t-shirts, greeting cards and many other contexts.
Distinction
Often pop icon status implies distinguished association with a societal ideal or
archetype. It is not uncommon for iconic figures to have a
nickname or
sobriquet that is used to emphasize this association. Sometimes the very name of such individuals is even used as a synonym for common words or ideas. Einstein, for example, is routinely associated with
genius and ingenuity.
Marilyn Monroe is associated with
sex appeal.
A number of pop icons are distinguished for having died at a young age. These include
James Dean,
Jimi Hendrix,
Bob Marley,
River Phoenix,
Jean Harlow,
Jim Morrison,
Tupac Shakur,
The Notorious B.I.G.,
Bruce Lee,
Janis Joplin,
Kurt Cobain and
Marilyn Monroe, among others. Other deceased celebrities cemented their status as pop icons by virtue of their role in captivating the ethos of their era, as is the case with
Elvis Presley,
John F. Kennedy, and
Michael Jackson. Many still-living celebrities also attain the status of pop icon; solo recording artists such as ,
Cher,
Britney Spears,
Tina Turner,
Madonna,
Whitney Houston,
Mariah Carey,
Annie Lennox,
David Bowie and
Janet Jackson as well as musical groups such as
The Beatles,
The Rolling Stones,
U2, and
Spice Girls are examples.
Some pop icons, such as
Mickey Mouse,
My Little Pony,
Betty Boop,
Mario,
Winnie the Pooh,
Bugs Bunny,
Shrek,
Pikachu,
Superman,
Spider-Man,
Batman and
Homer Simpson, are
fictional characters. Even
inanimate objects have been recognized as pop icons.
[ (See also: )]
[Iconic status of Mario: ]Some figures attain transitory or context-specific "pop icon" status for particular events that captivate public attention, such as in the case of the
O.J. Simpson trial.
Notable pop icons
See also
