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It’s tough being a celebrity. Not only are you invited — constantly — by hotels and resorts to come and stay for free, but you’re then given the star treatment, so to speak. But nothing in life is truly free now is it? It seems those same celebrities are being hounded by reporters and photographers on their vacations, particularly those who choose to vacation in Hawaii.
So rampant is this issue, it seems, that the Hawaii state legislature feels the need to address it. The proposed “Steven Tyler Act” would protect celebrities from such prying eyes, the bill says, by holding a person who ”captures or intends to capture, in a manner that is offensive to a reasonable person, through any means a visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of another person while that person is engaging in a personal or familial activity with a reasonable expectation of privacy,” liable. In other words, they could be sued.
At present, there is no civil course of action in Hawaii as it relates to the invasion of privacy for celebrities. According to the bill, the legislature feels “many celebrities are deterred from buying property or vacationing in Hawaii because the same paparazzi that harass them on the mainland are more likely to follow them to Hawaii.” The bill states the “harassment” of celebrities is of particular issue on Maui.
Why Steven Tyler, you ask? The bill states that the Aerosmith front man and former American Idol judge recently purchased a home on Maui and this bill is named ”in honor of Steven Tyler’s contribution to the arts in Hawaii and throughout the world.” (In widely published images, Tyler was recently seen on Maui playing the bongo drums. In a Speedo.)
A person guilty of this invasion of privacy would be subject to special damages, general damages and “punitive damages up to three times the amount of general and special damages combined.”
In theory, the act could make Hawaii a more attractive place for celebrities to buy real estate. But what will it do to all those hotels looking for publicity from their celebrity guests?
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Good. All paparazzi are scum and should be arrested the minute they lift their cameras to shoot. There should be a provision in the proposed law to make the companies who engage these private “entrepreneurs” (as most are freelance) liable, too.
Posted by: Bob | February 4, 2013, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
I know loss of some personal life comes w/ being a celebrity. However, they shouldn’t lose respect of others. Photographers show no respect. They should not stalk anyone on vacation or at their private residence w/o the approval of the celebrity. Good for you Hawaii. Shame on you aggressive photographers.
Posted by: Susan | February 4, 2013, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
What’s their idea of offensive? One person’s point of view could differ greatly from another’s. This seems like a vague explanation of the proposed bill.
Posted by: Jay | February 4, 2013, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
I’ve been an Aerosmith fan since the 70s but it’s time for Tyler to do some pushups or start wearing a manzier. Moobs are not attractive.
Posted by: swillbrew | February 4, 2013, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
So now you can buy a bill with your name on it?
Posted by: LJG | February 4, 2013, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Steven Tyler has property in Hawaii? Scratch that vacation destination…
Posted by: MadGuy1961 | February 4, 2013, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
Steven needs to hit the gym.
Posted by: nigeltoaster | February 4, 2013, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Going to see an uptick of paparazzi buying high powered lenses and renting boats now too. Two birds, one stone.. clever move Hawaii.
Posted by: Darein | February 4, 2013, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Nobody ‘stalks’ celebrities.. they call the photographers/agencies looking for publicly. Only stupid Americans believe that crap anymore… it’s a 2-way street. The very people complaining watch celebrity trash shows day & night.. how else could they stay in business? High minded Americans are the same w/subscriptions to People Magazine.. What happens when a child takes a picture of celebrity on a public beach? You gonna arrest them? Or on a public street? What is the legal definition of a fan? Paparazzi? Should celebrities have a legal standard? Definition? Who is a celebrity? You Americans are stupid beyond belief… stupid x10!
Posted by: Peter | February 4, 2013, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Steven Tyler lives in my town most of the year and he is extremely friendly to all he comes across. For the most part people give him his privacy but he is always willing to pose for pictures when buying a pizza or shopping around town. He does appreciate his fans. He may not be so friendly when people are following him every where snapping pictures for their personal gain. Here they don’t so he can be open with the public. I do think the paparazzi overstep their boundaries and should be fined when they do so.
Posted by: lomo | February 4, 2013, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
There is no reasonable expectation of privacy for any activity on a public place like a beach, celeb or not. How about a law that requires celebs to respect everyday folks instead of demanding the minions bow at their feet, move out of their way, give up their access to facilities and treat them like gods? You know, the “don’t you know who I am?” syndrome to which I would respond, why do you think I care?
Posted by: Pat | February 7, 2013, 9:50 am 9:50 am
Anytime you are in public you have no right to privacy. If the celebrities don’t want to get caught doing things they aren’t supposed to be doing, then don’t do it!
Posted by: beachbabygirrl | February 16, 2013, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
It is also truly an American thing to speak with so much disdain against celebrities. They are residents of the United States and therefore deserve the same protections under the law. We are talking about the protection of family, NOT PR shots. THe law does not discriminate against people because of their socia/financial status and neither should we. This law AFFECTS YOU TOO if you ever find pictures of YOUR family posted online, in newspapers, in other media, without proper authorization. Just because it doesn’t happen to you does not mean it won’t happen to you, or your family, or others that you care about. With the Internet, this type of thing is happening more and more.
Posted by: Doreen Aluli | March 11, 2013, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm