In recent weeks, the streets of Los Angeles seemed to have found themselves taking center stage for reasons that might leave more than a few shaking their heads. Protesters were reportedly making bonfires out of American flags while waving foreign colors proudly. It was as if the air in some parts of Hollywood carried more smoke from burning stars and stripes than the dreams of aspiring actors. It’s an odd scene, reminiscent of something out of a dystopian novel no one wants to read. Naturally, this all leads one to ponder—where were the celebrities amidst these fiery declarations?
Well, in typical Hollywood fashion, some celebrities quickly donned their virtual signaler hats, eager to express tearful remorse over the plight of these individuals. Like a scene from a cable drama, they expressed their heartache for “my people” while offering seemingly little practical assistance. It’s always striking how a billionaire can cry a river yet hesitate to offer even a tiny corner of their mansion for shelter. The life of an elite Hollywood star may be glittery, but the script here feels a tad hollow.
In contrast, one can’t help but think of a time when entertainment icons like Robin Williams managed to captivate audiences by evoking genuine emotion and patriotism. Williams had famously delivered a moving tribute to the American flag, bringing stadiums to tears—quite a contrast to the antics of today’s Hollywood elite. Is any Hollywood star today willing to step up and show a similar spirit of patriotism? Or has the flag become merely a stage prop for virtue signaling when the lights are on and quickly tucked away when they’re off?
Hollywood’s mixed messages are enough to make one question if anyone there remembers that America is the backdrop for their dreams and the source of their riches. They live in a nation where the opportunities are as abundant as paparazzi at a movie premiere. Most of them would be nameless faces elsewhere, yet here, they bask in the limelight.
Then, there’s Tom Cruise, among the few who seem to fully grasp this notion of gratitude. “Top Gun: Maverick” was not merely a blockbuster hit; it was a refreshing salute to American pride, a triumph in a landscape cluttered with remakes and sequels lacking a heartbeat. It’s a reminder that patriotism can be marketable, even in Hollywood. Maybe if more celebrities followed this lead, they’d recognize that flying the flag isn’t just the prelude to a national anthem but a nod to their own privileged lives made possible by a country full of opportunity.
