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As I awoke from a nap last week (I know, I know, tough life, huh? Ha!) I couldn’t believe my eyes. After all, I had just heard about Farrah Fawcett’s passing and then, all of a sudden, a larger than life legend was gone in the very same day?!

While it was sad to hear about Michael Jackson’s untimely death, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by his upbringing. Talk about paparazzi parenting! Remember the Jackson 5? Could you imagine raising your family and having one breakout star among your seven children? How would you treat all the kids? Equally? Different? Special treatment? Hmmm.

All of the reports encompassed so many facets of the performer’s life. I remember being in grade school when Thriller came out. Man oh man, did we have to get that glove! Or how about his influence with MTV and the video scene? Or the famous moonwalk? And then there are those off-the-stage antics as well. The drastic change of appearance for one and then the court cases about his various relationships with boys. The Neverland Ranch. The marriage to Lisa Marie Presley. The list is endless. But here’s the beauty of it: whenever I hear his music and I’m in a store, on the elliptical machine, or even gallivanting in Europe, I’ve never thought about his sordid life. It was always about appreciating the cool tunes.

When you look at the man, the myth, the legend, it’s hard to believe he’s gone. It’s also hard to imagine being the parent of such an international pop icon, demanding answers about his death, fighting for custody of his children. Now a family is left to mourn and, although the world is grieving along with them, I wonder when the reports will simmer down so the family may be private about their very public son.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson.

And, on a lighter note, I am smiling when I think about how much joy he brought so many with his music as I enjoy some of my favorite MJ songs like ABC and Pretty Young Thing.

Sometimes you wonder, when a big-name celeb celebrates a holiday, what exactly do they do? Go out for brunch, a walk in the park and BBQ with the fam? Are they just like us or do they celebrate in larger than life A-list style? Hmmm.

Well, if you’re Matthew McConaughey, on a day like Father’s Day, you update your website with news relating to fatherhood, of course. “Happy Father’s Day,” he writes. “It’s my first, and the last 11 months with Levi and Camila have been the most rewarding adventure to date. We have more blessed news to celebrate this Father’s Day that makes this time next year double the fun. Levi is going to be a big brother.”

Congratulations! While this is exciting news no doubt, we wonder if the star plans on tying the knot. Are we perhaps a bit old school? You bet. The 39-year-old actor recently signed on to star in Hammer Down, a flick about a former NASCAR driver who attempts to break back into the racing world.

He continues, “Yeah, we pulled off the greatest miracle in the world one more time. Camila and I are expecting our second child, bringing more life into the world, making more to live for. The future looks bright as the family grows, and we thank you for all the well wishes you send our way.”

This makes us pause. Considering his movie star good looks and his Brazilian girlfriend’s amazing genes, will their second child be as cute-kid friendly as their first? You betcha. Does he have the best lifestyle to be a dad, go on set for a few months or weeks a year and then spend time with the family? Ah, the grass is always greener.

So whaddya think? Should stars like Matthew tie the knot with their beloved, especially once children are born?

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Here in Manhattan, there are certain things people we worship. Iconic people. Fashionistas, actors, news media, ridiculously smart and successful people in the world of the arts, business, architecture, etc.

These people are not held by the standards of the nouveau riche and do not include who has upgraded their Park Ave. apartment. It’s not about who they’re wearing or what bling they’re blinging (do not be fooled, my friend — Manhattanites don’t always live the superficial red carpet romps a la Real Housewives of New York). Celeb sightings at The Waverly Inn, exclusive restaurant known for its A-list clients in the West Village, and oohing and aahing are quite ordinary but as for the extraordinary? Someone who’s talented and has wrenched their abilities in the light is what we’re talking about here.

Enter Sarah Jessica Parker. I first saw SJP on Broadway when she starred in Annie! The fact that this entertainment powerhouse has survived and thrived for decades and is a mastermind behind bringing Carrie Bradshaw to life a la Sex and the City is not surprising. Miss Fashionista (and I say that with all due respect, that woman is a style guru!) is establishing a new rule in parenting. She’s forging her own path. Sarah Jessica and hubby Matthew Broderick are now the parents of twin girls via a surrogate!

I find it quite fascinating, actually. I wrote a piece on surrogacy last summer when Marisa Jaret Winokur had a surrogate when her son was born. In fact, I’m trying to give the word the proper respect it deserves: is it “used” a surrogate? “Hired” a surrogate? “Enlisted” a surrogate? Hmmmm.

There are important rules and regulations couples go through when selecting a surrogate and each situation is different. Some surrogates have contact with the baby after birth, others completely do not. Contracts are devised, agreed upon, and signed. Medical bills are paid, sometimes they’re not depending on the agreed-upon arrangement prior to pregnancy. While situations differ, it’s impressive and amazing for the woman who has fame and fortune: the gift of life seems to be more precious and prized than them all.

Do you think surrogacy doesn’t get enough press other than the headlines based around celebs?

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If you’re like me and you love your parents, you realize that even as an adult you’re still their pride and joy. Now, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that, along with their never ending unconditional love, but you gotta wonder when you’re a celeb’s offspring if you’re *ever* out of the spotlight?

Assuming their love never wanes either, do you ever stop being known as an A-lister’s daughter or son even well into the adult years? Say it with me now: “Nope!”

Such is the case of Chastity Bono pictured to the right both recently and, to the far right, in the mid-90’s. Now, I won’t identify Chastity (or in the recent headlines as Chaz) as Sonny and Cher’s daughter. Could you imagine going through your entire life being known as so-and-so’s daughter? For instance, I interviewed teen star Emma Roberts a few months ago. In my piece I purposely did not mention that she’s Julia Robert’s niece. Sure, it’s a way to identify someone but it’s also a way to label them. Instead of being known for their very own identity and professional achievements, they’re immediately associated with riding the coat tails of someone else.

Back to Chaz. While she has indicated a transformation into a “he” will soon take place, I was somewhat amazed that every headline immediately associated him with Sonny and Cher. Then again, the jury’s still out if we’d know about his writing achievements or activism without association with mom and pop.

What are your thoughts? At what point does the offspring of a celeb officially become known as their own person and not associated with their parents? Or, in the world of celebrityville, is that next to impossible?

Okay, consider this a gratuitous post but, you know what? We just can’t resist. Ever hear of the song by Fountains of Wayne called, Stacy’s Mom? You know the tune, right? The frontman croons about having a crush on a friend’s mom: “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on. She’s all I want and I’ve waited for so long. Stacy, can’t you see you’re just not the girl for me. I know it might be wrong but I’m in love with Stacy’s mom.”

Well, could you imagine this in reverse? Your daughter is hanging out with Hugh Jackman’s son. And um, in the spirit of the song you can guess what happens next! A little crusheroo perhaps on the boy’s dad?

Maybe it’s the fact that he’s over-the-top talented, good-looking, and seems incredibly sincere. But Hugh Jackman has been happily married since 1996 and has two kids to whom he’s unabashedly devoted.

The Australian superstar recently dished that his nine-year-old adopted son, Oscar Maximillian, has been spotting pretty girls left and right. Now, even though Oscar has a new hobby of scoping out girls, we can only wonder how many of them will end up with a crush on his papa! Apparently his opening line is, “Hey, my Dad’s Wolverine.” And then he proceeds to ask his Dad to do some autographs for his new lady friends.

Hmmmm, do you think there’s anything wrong with Oscar pimpin’ out his Dad in the name of flirting?

(Photo: Stewart Shining)

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Could you imagine, if you will, that you’re the offspring of Lance Armstrong? Seriously.

He has to be our generation’s uber-athlete and quintessential definition of both physical and mental strength. A champion. A cancer survivor. And, of course, we can only imagine, a terrific Dad! If you’re one of his four children could you imagine playing catch with him in the backyard? Going out for a bike ride on a sunny Sunday afternoon? Sitting down to a bowl full of fruit for breakfast? While we can only wonder what health habits, incredible work ethic, as well as worldly views Armstrong would instill in his offspring, his fourth child entered the world this week.

Using Twitter as a communication tool, the seven-time Tour de France champion announced the birth: “Wassup, world? My name is Max Armstrong and I just arrived. My Mommy is healthy and so am I!” Max weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20 inches long.

The 37-year-old Armstrong seems overjoyed with the news he’s sharing with his girlfriend, the mother of Max. While I’m always excited to hear about amazing things associated with Armstrong, even when he successfully ran the New York City Marathon a few years ago, it’s just a given that he’ll be raising his children with the same work ethic he has attained. Maybe it’s just an assumption since he does travel a ton but considering how many people he’s inspired worldwide who don’t even know him, there’s a huge dose of wonder if one of his offspring will someday become a cyclist. A champion. A fighter as well. Hmmm.

I also think it’s kinda cool Armstrong tweeted about the birth. Why not, right? Reach a lot of people and be the first person to share your news rather than have someone else do it for you.

What are your thoughts? Is Twitter appropriate for a birth announcement or is it simply inappropriate for such a monumental joy?

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Every now and then we need a reality check here at Paparazzi Parenting. Sure, it’s fun checking out the glossy mags and seeing who’s a new mom or dad or hearing about their parenting prowess (or in some instances, lack thereof).

But you know what’s also super fun? Why not extend the celeb factor and shine the light brightly on those who aren’t on the big screen or runway? Like when federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, a Bronx native, was selected by President Obama to serve on the nation’s highest court, we must pause. And applaud. And then wonder why intellects like Nobel Peace Prize winners, Supreme Court Judges, nominees like Sotomayor, you name it, aren’t praised and covered in the mainstream celebrity news.

When Judge Sotomayor instantly became a household name, there was one thing that stood out in her speech: accolades to her mother. Talk about parenting prowess! The mother raised Sonia and her brother, now a doctor, on a modest salary. Could you imagine being the beaming mother on that day to hear that your daughter was selected for such a prestigious honor? That’s a parenting story, a success story, an all around feel-good story that should most definitely make headlines.

Now that you know what we think, what do YOU think? Should celeb stuff be limited to only glam actors and actresses, musicians, and models or should it spread beyond the superficial and into the land of smarts?

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Carrie Prejean, a.k.a. Miss California, is keeping her crown. Sure, we heard countless headlines in recent weeks over the controversy. You know, the skin pics, the homophobic statements. While it kinda reminded me of Miss Congeniality just because of the whole pageant thing (love that flick!), when it comes to pageantry and its pomp and circumstance, the culture is fierce.

My friend participated in a pageant when she was in high school. Did she win some scholarship money for college? Yes. She also provided the inside scoop like how young women put Vaseline on their teeth (note I said teeth, not lips) to keep them bright and you guessed it – shiny. Her mom was cool about it. She supported my friend since it was her choice to do it but didn’t exactly push her into it. Aly ended up not going further as a one-time gig in the pageant world was the charm for her, but it makes ya think: what if her mom *did* push her? What if she shoved her literally into the glitz and glam, spending a family nest egg on costumes and traveling costs and had her constantly sizing herself up against other contestants?

Okay, we’re a little off-topic from paparazzi parenting but look at the late JonBenet Ramsey. She was what, all of six years old, wearing make-up and looking way beyond her childish years? You wonder at that age how much the child truly wants to be part of the pageant versus the parent. In a world where we’re constantly judged on how we look, why instill a sense of insecurity in girls especially at an early age?

Would you let your kid enter a pageant?

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Like him or not, Mike Tyson has suffered a major blow no boxing ring could ever bestow upon him. Tyson’s four-year-old daughter, Exodus, passed away last week after getting caught in a treadmill cable at home.

The horror! Exodus’ seven-year-old brother found her hanging from the cable and then immediately alerted their mother. She removed the cable and called 911 ASAP. Apparently, Exodus was playing on the treadmill and somehow slipped into the cord underneath the console but, sadly, it acted like a noose.

Even typing that just gave me the chills. Exodus was on life support at the hospital for about a day before she passed away. The following statement was released:

“The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time.”

R.I.P. Exodus Tyson.

Sadly, it’s a stark reminder how fragile life is and how no celebrity, regardless of their fame or bank accounts, is immune to life’s twists and turns.