When should celebrities write autobiographies?

[minor muppetz]

Okay, I was at the store today and I saw that Justin Bieber has already written an autobiography. I hadn't heard of Bieber until earleir this year, but isn't it kind of soon for him to have written an autobiography?

Over the years I felt that if I was a celebrity I would wait at least a few years to write an autobiography. A few years and/or a good number of successes, and/or plenty of semi-successful work in different forms of media (film, TV, comedy albums).

I don't think it's wrong for a biography on a celebrity to come out shortly after the celebrity had made it, but it seems a little bit wrong for a celebrity (or filmaker/producer/whatever) to write an autobiography so soon after making it (after all, Justin Bieber's fifteen minutes aren't even up yet ).

 

[Drtooth]

Whenever they want. Chances are I'm never going to read them anyway. Though, I LOVED Leslie Neilsen's satirical book. I have the Carol Spinney one, just... it's autographed. I can't even bring myself to touch it. And I didn't get the Kevin Clash one yet.

As for Justin... I'm no fan of his lyrics, and I hate kiddy pop music (the Monkees and 90% of Filmation's cartoons in the 60's-70's were much better)... but you gotta admit. he wasn't a product of Disney, and he wasn't one of the stale donuts ("Stale donuts? How's That?" "A dime a Dozen" ...sorry... my Fat Albert is showing) that auditioned for a role in a series that could have been filed by anyone. Even Miley's leaving that behind (good for her, even though I'm not a fan... took me years to find the real people to snarl at).

That said, does anyone even really care? I mean, these are for screaming fan girls to read anyway.

 

[Starchamberfall]

When they have a story to tell, independently from adding to or taking away from their career. Normally that would be after the fireworks have died down...along with the need or desire to trigger interest in oneself. A celebrity who actually is a writer also, under it all, should definitely write their own story.

 

[dwmckim]

Rule #1: if you're still too young to have an auto, you're too young to have an autobiography.

What you have is a preface. Not a story.

 

[JJandJanice]

They probably wanted Justin to write an autobiography while he was still "hott" in the public's eyes, which isn't a bad move. The kid is also getting a movie, can't blame them for milking this whole "Bieber craze" for all it's worth.

So to answer the question: In some cases write the book while you're still "it" and ride it all the way to the bank.

 

[Drtooth]

So to answer the question: In some cases write the book while you're still "it" and ride it all the way to the bank.

Yeah... wasn't this an episode of the Simpsons? Bart became famous as the "I didn't Do it" boy and they rushed his autobiography or biography out? And it was all about Oliver North or Henry Kissenger or something (It's been so long since my local stations reran the GOOD ones). They have been making these throw away biographies that are like barely 60 pages with large font for years.... usually unofficial yet butt kissing so the kids can read about their favorite pop stars.

The autobiography IS a whole new angle. Miley was the first to do it, though... I can safely bet that he got the idea from her. Something tells me it won't be long, or padded with unimportant stories since, after all, they ARE very young and well... it's like Chapter 1: Early Life... Chapter 2: Adolescence and fame... Chapter 3: Didn't happen yet... the end!

But hey, it's just for the tweenyboppers who think that his music speaks to them. It's not new. Not by a long shot. I'm old enough to remember the NKOTB fad.

 

[BobThePizzaBoy]

Well, if I ever become famous or at least somewhat notable as a puppeteer, I have made a promise to myself to wait 10 years after my breakout moment before writing an autobiography. Juster Bieber has only been a big name person since, like, January. He is doing his too early. I think it really depends on the person but I say 7 years minimum for an autobiography sounds about right.

 

[Drtooth]

I'd write an autobiography... but I'm not big on horror stories.

 

[Redsonga]

I think the when doesn't really matter, it is more the who. As long as it is them writing the book and not some ghostwriter trying to make a star seem like someone they are not working for them I feel they are as free to write books as other authors...

 

[beatnikchick300]

Basically, I think only celebrities who have been around for long enough that they seem to be standing the test of time (hard to put a time frame on that, but maybe 15+ years) should be able to release their memoirs.