Why do so many celebrities follow the same tragic script - early success, impossible pressure, public decline, and a carefully managed collapse? And has anything really changed in the age of influencers, TikTok fame and constant online visibility?

In today’s Advanced level episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César explore the darker side of fame: the industry built on illusion, the toxic incentives behind talent management, and the strange role we, the audience, play in keeping the system alive. From Judy Garland to Britney Spears, from classic paparazzi culture to the self-inflicted exposure of social media, we unpack why the machine keeps producing the same stories - and why we keep consuming them.

You’ll hear a 4-minute monologue followed by a natural, unscripted conversation in British English - ideal for advanced learners wanting rich vocabulary and nuanced reflections.

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