Being starstruck has reached a new level of ridiculousness. People either have too much time on their hands, too much money in their pockets or both. 

Feeling or showing great interest in and admiration for famous people is nothing new. Actors, singers and sports players have a tendency to captivate and people can become very enamored by them. Some people’s fascination, combined with a mental disorder, can become scary. However, stalkers are for another column, or maybe no column.  

My mother was spellbound by John Wayne. Watched his movies repeatedly and relentlessly. She loved Elvis. This is a woman who hated to leave home, but she agreed to drive with me to Memphis and tour his mansion. That was in the early 1990s. If either celebrity had ever crossed her path, I’m fairly confident she would have hyperventilated and passed out on the spot.

I have never been starstruck. I lack the time to keep up with the Kardashians, despite how easy they make it using TV shows, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Someone once asked me, “If you could pick only one celebrity you’d like to meet, who would it be? I looked at them dumbfounded. Not one person came to mind. Most people could probably answer that question or quickly narrow down a list of top possibilities. I couldn’t answer it then. I can’t answer it now.

Additionally, I’ll never spend money on Ivy Pink, the athleisure line by Beyoncé, or purchase from Kendall + Kylie, a clothing line that’s part of the Kardashian-Jenner empire and created by Kendall and Kylie Jenner. If you love a celeb, there’s probably something marketed by them that you can buy. I found a rather lengthy list online of celebs and what they offer. Cash in on that VIP status while it lasts. 

Celebrities can, and do, make a lot of money. I received an email, which lead to this column, that their pets are also cash cows.

Oskie the Poskie belongs to Justin Bieber. He has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram and according to the email, that dog’s estimated average earnings per post is $3,456. A person making minimum wage would have to work 477 hours for that, before taxes. 

This is a new level of ridiculousness, when it comes to being starstruck. Are everyday people so fascinated by “famous” people that their pets can make as much money with one Instagram post as some people do in three months of working? 

Estimated average earnings per post of other famous peoples’ pets:

• Nina Dobrev $1,914

• Kylie Jenner $1,434

• Emma Chamberlain $1,363

• Nick Jonas $1,172

• Ed Sheeran $1,170

• Bobby Flay $1,007

• Lady Gaga $969

Hopefully those animals are living large and eating well – bottled water and Filet Mignons every night.  My dog must be content with Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Dog Food and bottled water. She has zero desire to work for an upgrade.

Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.