Question from a Reader:
Why does everyone make such a fuss about celebrity infidelity reports? Recently, when I told a friend that I was into Masahiro Higashide’s YouTube channel, she was really disappointed. She seemed to be thinking, “Why would you watch someone like him?” Even though she said she could understand the content if I recommended it, she just couldn’t
bring herself to watch it. With the situation surrounding Watanabe from Anjashu, I think he won’t be able to work as he used to. Infidelity among celebrities seems irrelevant to us, but I wonder if that’s just part of being a celebrity. Some people argue that the wife and sponsors are the real victims, but I think it’s unreasonable to demand an apology press conference. Those who are sensitive to infidelity reports may be empathizing with the wife or reacting out of a feeling of betrayal based on their past impressions.
Infidelity Reports and Their Impact
I believe the recent uproar over celebrity infidelity reports reflects our societal expectations and values. Celebrities, in a sense, hold a role as “public figures.” Their actions and statements influence many people, which is why we hold expectations for them and become sensitive to their betrayals. For example, regarding the situation with Masahiro Higashide, my friend’s disappointment is understandable. She probably thought, “Why would you watch someone like him?” and I get that feeling. Personally, I find that every time I hear about a celebrity’s scandal, my interest in their work diminishes a little. However, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with actually enjoying his YouTube content. Just because a celebrity has committed infidelity doesn’t mean we need to reject everything about them.
Infidelity and Social Reactions
Reactions to infidelity reports vary greatly depending on individual values and experiences. Our sensitivity to others’ infidelity might stem from projecting our feelings of being “the betrayed” onto them. For those who have experienced betrayal themselves, other people’s infidelity can appear even less forgivable. A friend commented that everyone knows “infidelity is wrong,” which is why criticism continues. Indeed, it feels somewhat outdated to keep reiterating something everyone understands. However, behind that reaction lies societal tolerance for infidelity and a sense of betrayal of expectations.
Other People’s Scandals and Our Emotions
When we focus on someone else’s scandal, we might think, “This has nothing to do with me,” but underlying that thought could be curiosity or a psychological need to feel reassured by witnessing others’ failures. When chatting with friends, such topics occasionally come up, and we might even find ourselves laughing about them. Perhaps we use others’ failures as a source of amusement or conversation to stabilize our own emotions. While contemplating infidelity reports is intriguing, what ultimately matters is how they influence our own lives and values. So, perhaps it’s understandable that everyone gets so worked up about these issues. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on infidelity or any similar experiences you might have. Please share in the comments!
