The Celebrity Psyche: A Psychological View of Life in the Land of Cinema, Money, Music, Sex and Power [Paperback]

Terence McPhaul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Celebrity Life and Hollywood magic. It’s what seduces us to lose ourselves in movies and music videos. Celebrity Mental Health Therapist Terence McPhaul reveals how those in the public eye can become victims of supreme luxury and excess.

Media is quick to make assessments regarding celebrity behavior, and often these sources are well off target when it comes to the "real reason" stars act as they do.

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, Martha Stewart, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson, Bill Gates and John F. Kennedy, Jr. are just a few of the personalities surveyed in this enlightening piece of work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

McPhaul dissects the mad lust of power, celebrity, riches, that challenge the moral ambitions of those in the public eye. -- USA Today, May 15, 2003

About the Author

Terence McPhaul is the founder and director of McPhaul Consultants and Personal Advisors, the only agency in the world providing counseling, therapy, life coaching and personal advisor services exclusively for celebrities. As the Director of McPhaul Consultants and Personal Advisors, McPhaul has been helpful in assisting celebrities from corporate, sports, entertainment and social communities set priorities, reach goals, and adjust to the demands of celebrity-while addressing underlying emotional devices such as Depression, Anxiety, Chemical Dependence, Grief and Loss, Relationship Concerns and a variety of other issues.

In addition to "The Celebrity Psyche" McPhaul is the author of four other titles that include "LAW: Liars and Weasels", "No White Lady I Don’t Want Your Purse: An Examination into the Psychological Undercurrents that Plague White Women", "The Psychology of Hip Hop" and "The Exploitation of B2K".

Terence McPhaul is a Red Carpet regular, whose annual schedule includes attendance of the Grammy® Awards and The Academy® Awards. He has been utilized as a consultant for cinema, particularly by those seeking appropriate direction on projects with regard to psychological implications. McPhaul is regularly sought by program directors of TV talk shows and national media as an expert in the field of Mental Health to deliver perspective or respond to programming regarding social and behavioral issues. McPhaul has appeared as a Mental Health expert for Court TV, and Bill O’Reilly’s The O’Reilly Factor for FOX News.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Publishing Associates, Inc. (June 2003)
• ISBN-10: 0942683366
• ISBN-13: 978-0942683363
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,642,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-Opener, October 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Celebrity Psyche: A Psychological View of Life in the Land of Cinema, Money, Music, Sex and Power (Paperback)

My hat is off to Dr. McPhaul. I used to work in the business of entertainment as a personal assistant, so everything struck me deeply. I picked up the book because it was pretty, and the picture layout inside was just beautiful. The book was supposed to be for decoration. When I started reading the book I couldn't put it down, and I learned so much about myself in the chapter on personal assistants. This book is small, but it packs so much power! The most shocking part of the book was Dr. McPhaul's part about the American Idol Show, because it looks as if no one ever considered the true feelings of the people who stand before the public to get humiliated for the sake of our amusement. Before reading this book, I never considered the emotions of those who get hurt trying to pursue their dreams in the context of American Idol. Me and my friends just laughed along with the rest of the public when someone's feelings were hurt. Who knew the experience could cause more serious problems? Also, Dr. McPhaul writes about Adjustment Disorder, and looking back on my days as a personal assistant to entertainment figures, now I realize I had it, but did not know what it was. Knowing then could have made my life easier, and better.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sierra, September 28, 2003

By 

Sierra Dent (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Celebrity Psyche: A Psychological View of Life in the Land of Cinema, Money, Music, Sex and Power (Paperback)

The Celebrity Psyche is one of the best books to hit the market. Being a huge fan of Oprah Winfrey, I was really mad when first reading what the author had to say about her. But like many I was in "denial" about some of Oprah's personality traits. The book was down right funny, and educational. My purchase was made right before boarding a flight from New York to Los Angeles, and I was able to finish the whole book before getting to L.A. This is even while I was answering questions of other passengers interested in the book, and its beautiful pictures.

Reading about John F. Kennedy, Jr. broke my heart and opened my eyes at the same time. The author delves into the psychology of John John, and what part he played in his own death because he believed he was "invincible," which the author says most celebrities are guilty of without having a conscious knowledge of it. The author has taught me a lot about emotional issues while keeping me entertained.

The book is an "honest" look at celebrities and the things that influence them. The author's explanation of Halle Berry's role in Monster's Ball, that bought her the Oscar, was one of the most enlightening sections in the entire book. It gave me a more intimate outline of The Academy Awards and the behind the scenes dysfunction that shapes the whole awards process.

The book is like People Magazine and New York Times meets the UCLA Psychology Department. A very good read!!!!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not For The Faint Hearted, September 29, 2003

By 

Carl Robinson (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Celebrity Psyche: A Psychological View of Life in the Land of Cinema, Money, Music, Sex and Power (Paperback)

This is the perfect book for anybody who has ever wondered why any, any famous rapper, athlete, movie star, politician, fashion model, or any famous person acts the way they do. As an up and coming rapper myself I could read the book and know what to do, and what to not do.

BasicInstinct