Abstract:
This study investigated the post-prime life experiences of four Ghanaian. In
exploring their lived experiences, the career transition and the changes in identity as
a result of loss of fame and resources were analyzed using phenomenology as the
research design, and interview as data collection method. Role Exit, identity and
coming to grips with loss theories were used to analyze the data. Role Exit theory
was useful in tracing the transitional experiences of the celebrities, because
understanding the various types of role exit is critical to analyzing why certain
celebrities maintain their fame and fortune, and others do not. Identity theory helped
gauge the identity experiences of the celebrities whose identities are affected as a
result of the transition, and Coming to Grips with Loss theory helped to analyze how
the post- prime celebrities cope with their new identities as it places emphasis on
recovery after loss. The findings revealed that the different phases of the transition
journey were fraught with disappointments as a result of industrial choices they
made, betrayal and their failure to connect with industry trends, thus the routes to
alternatives adopted by the participants were largely unsuccessful. The study also
revealed that the loss of reputation and capital forced the celebrities to adopt new
identities partly from feedback from the public. In dealing with the loss of fame, the
celebrities adopted a positive resilience towards the phenomenon as major coping
mechanisms. The study recommended that the achieved celebrities employ
professional management members to manage their affairs. Also, the intensifying of
financial and investment education among members of the professional and
Description:
A dissertation in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies,
School of Communication and Media Studies, submitted to
the School of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Media Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba