Jennifer Hudson kisses her Oscar for best supporting actress, 79th Academy Awards. (AP)
Fame Junkies Story aired: Monday, February 26, 2007
There were few surprises at the 79th Academy Awards Sunday evening.
Jennifer Hudson who famously lost on TV's "American Idol," was ecstatic after winning best supporting actress for her role in "Dream Girls." And Forrest Whitaker, who played the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, said his best actor award fulfilled his childhood dreams.
No doubt in part due to TV programs like "American Idol," a whooping 34 percent of American teenagers not only dream of fame, but actually believe they are destined for it. And according to author and NPR commentator Jake Halpern -- the more they watch TV, the more they believe in this fantasy.
Halpern spoke to psychologists, stars, fans, and hangers-on to find out what drives us like moths to the flame of fame. His book is called "Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truths Behind America's Favorite Addiction."
