Celebrity Health Narratives and the Public Health

Christina S. Beck is a professor and associate director of graduate studies in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. She has authored or edited 11 books, in addition to multiple book chapters and journal articles, and her current research interests are at the intersections of health communication, fandom, and media studies. She lives in Athens, Ohio. Stellina M.A. Chapman works online with a diverse population of students as an adjunct professor for Ohio University and SUNY New Paltz. She has a strong background in health education and behavior modification. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Nathaniel Simmons is a communication faculty member within the General Education Department at Western Governors University. His research primarily explores public-private negotiations within health and intercultural contexts. He lives in Columbus, Ohio. Kelly E. Tenzek is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Communication at SUNY Buffalo, where she researches and teaches content related to difficult conversations. She lives in Williamsville, New York. Stephanie M. Ruhl is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Clemson University. Her research interest is in the communicative experiences of health and healing. She lives in Clemson, South Carolina.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPreface: Christina S. BeckOne. Personal Challenges, Public Struggles: An Overview of Celebrity Health Narratives and Implications for Public Health ConversationsTwo. From Actress to Cancer Patient: Brooke ­Burke-Charvet Dances through Thyroid CancerThree. Just Like Kim: Fan Responses to Kim Kardashian’s Battle with PsoriasisFour. “I never wanted to be the poster child for this”: Catherine ­Zeta-Jones and Bipolar II DisorderFive. “I get diabetes just watching Paula Deen”: Public Responses to Paula Deen’s Type 2 Diabetes DiagnosisSix. Celebrity Body Image Narratives and the Media: A Framework for Personal Health Disclosure?Seven. Celebrity Death Narratives in the Media: College Student Perceptions on Conversations and DisclosureEight. No “I” in Team: Impression and Boundary Management in Illness/Injury Narratives Involving Sports CelebritiesNine. Blurring “Real” and “Reel” Life: Integration of Daytime Drama Actor Illnesses into Soap Opera Storylines and Health PromotionTen. A Tangled Web of Health Troubles: Giuliana Rancic’s Fight for a Family Goes PublicEleven. Trust in Robin Roberts: The Journey of a Woman Who Breaks Her Own NewsTwelve. She Turns the World Around with Their Smiles: Mary Tyler Moore Takes Kids to CongressThirteen. Continuing the ConversationReferencesIndex

“turns a critical eye to the private-turned-public health narratives of celebrities, shared through television and print interviews and social media.... These personal health narratives of public figures inform and inspire people, drawing attention to public health issues and a variety of relatively unknown illnesses, as well as public policy on funding and research”—ProtoView.