Celebrity, Media, and The Truth

Celebrity is a curious thing. You work hard at what you do, people fall in love with you, your product, and the image you created, and you're on top of the world. Next, those same people that helped you make it big, with the help of the "media", start the process of tearing you down. Piece by piece they work their own craft, finding and distorting the small flaws in you that are (or should be) inherent in all of us, until they're satisfied that you can be judged by the public on the basis of rumour, innuendo, and lies, and not by hard work you put into your craft, the changes you effect in the world around you, or the impact you make on those less fortunate than yourself. Such is the case of John Mayer, and it's a shame that the media refuse to promote him for the kind-hearted soul that he is.

I logged online this morning and caught an article by Craig Outhier in the Phoenix New Times that calls Mayer the "douchiest douche of all time", "dismissible", and "uncharitable". Furthermore, Outhier goes on to suggest that the now infamous playboy interview that John did in February was simply a way for Mayer to further his career and spark interest in himself and pad the number of followers he has on his twitter page - a naive and foolhardy suggestion at best, and an outright lie, mischaracterization, and devious attempt to attract his own attention at worst. Regardless, Outhier's "article" in today's Times seems to accurately reflect the mission of most "media" outlets in today's age - build up, pile on, take down, and move on.

Outhier, and the other "journalists" that troll through celebrities lives and fixate themselves on the flaws of people like Mayer, force themselves to look past the good they do with their time and the impact they have on others, in order to sell print and make money. It's cowardly journalism at it's finest, and I'd like to believe that writers like Outhier didn't begin their career believing they would be doing their profession proud by publishing such biased and embellished trash and calling it news.

John Mayer is a favourite for news-outlet fodder, a favourite for biased bloggers to target and tear-down. Conveniently, however, these outlets leave out honest deeds that Mayer does whenever they write their tripe, and the decision makers that OK the publication of such drivel should be shamed because good writers don't overlook the truth before them, and good writers present the whole story.

For me, the whole story on John Mayer, his life, and his career should include the past 10 years he's spent honing his craft in the music business, crossing genre's and creating a unique style of sound that will last for generations. For me, the whole story on Mayer should include the countless children (like my son) that he has spared time for in order to make their world a better place, if even just for a moment. It should include the high-fives, the hugs, the smiles, and the words of encouragement he's given to those in need of the simple things in life. It should include all that he does for others, even if he doesn't go out of his way to broadcast it himself.

The John Mayer I know isn't a "douche". He's kind and caring, and sincere. The John Mayer I know was mortified and hurt at the interview that was published in February and would NEVER seek to further himself through other people's hurt. The John Mayer I know takes pride in helping others, and goes out of his way to make my son smile. As I type this entry, I'm listening to Isaac ask his mom why he has to have MPS VI, and it's breaking my heart. Of late, he's been struggling to understand why he drew this difficult lot in life, and I sometimes don't know what to tell him. But in the same breath, he's been able to find some small comfort in his unfair disease because of the love and care he's found in people like John Mayer. John's not "dismissible" or "uncharitable" by any standards, and the proof is in my son's smile.

If there's hope for the profession and for journalistic integrity, I challenge Outhier and those like him to put aside their bias and write a real, balanced story on Mayer. Salvage your integrity and do what you trained to do, which is write the truth, because to me, knowing what I know of John Mayer, you've done everything but.

P.S. I snapped the photo to the left this morning while Isaac was at the hospital. Instead of dragging his IV pole into the playroom, he chose to lay in his chair and listen to his hero on the iPad, a lasting glow from his time at the show last night.

P.S.S There's also a photo of John signing a guitar for our charity to auction off at our upcoming Gala, co-signed by Isaac himself.

Take Care and, as always, Thanks for your support.

A.