It’s the most talked about TV ad of the week in Australia, but who would have thought ‘our Cate’ would be the centre of such fuss over what has previously just been a political and environmental debate? Well, maybe Aussie entrepreneur Dick Smith saw this one coming - he declined to feature in the ad.
If you haven’t seen it yet, have a look...
Here’s the story so far: despite being one of two famous actors in this carbon tax ad (Michael Caton is the other), Cate Blanchett has been singled out and criticised by many, including federal opposition politicians, for her involvement. Her money and her ‘part-time’ Aussie status are just two of the things being called into question. Funny, last time she was nominated for an Oscar we had no problem shouting from the hilltops that ‘our Cate’ was flying the flag for Australia in Hollywood. But I digress…
This isn’t the first time Cate Blanchett’s been involved in supporting environmental issues and she’s proved she isn’t afraid to get political. She’s well know as a greenie-slash-political activist, in that Hollywood actress kinda way. So what’s all the fuss about? I’d like to say I think it’s solely the controversial carbon tax issue, but I suspect it’s not that simple.
Carbon tax opinions aside, shouldn’t Cate be applauded for the fact that she’s having a say in her country’s political process and future, and she isn’t getting a big fat paycheck for her appearance? I like that she genuinely cares, while so many Aussies are apathetic. Unlike so many other Hollywood celebrities who do those lucrative ads in Japan or cheesy iced tea endorsements (Hugh Jackman, I’m looking at you), it appears Cate is measured in her decisions to support political issues.
Yes, she’s filthy rich, but she pays Aussie taxes too so she’s got just as much right as the rest of us to have an opinion about the carbon tax. I know the rest of us don’t get our mug on TV to spruik our opinion, but lets be realistic about what that is – good old-fashioned celebrity endorsement. It’s nothing new, certainly not in the political arena, to gain the support of a celebrity to champion your cause.
The Federal Opposition are clearly worried about the influence Cate Blanchett might have on voters and public opinion in general, otherwise they wouldn’t be kicking up such a stink, but as usual, I think our politicians are selling us a bit short. While Cate might be highlighting the issue, I don’t think her 10 seconds or so on screen is going to change the mind of the masses who appear to oppose the carbon tax in the polls for a raft of different reasons.
So really the issue here is celebrity endorsement isn’t it? Are celebrities usually scrutinised so much about whether they fit the cause they are supporting, or if they’re being hypocrital, like Cate has been?
Whether it’s a political cause or simply a commercial product, do you think celebrities are too out of touch to influence our political opinions? Or is celebrity endorsement so common now it doesn't impact public opinion? Let us know what you think…
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