Love often makes us feel as if us and our partners are the only two in the world. But what happens when this intimate relationship is exposed to millions of others across the world for them to judge and criticise? This is the sad reality for celebrity relationships, which results in their intimate relationship no longer being about just the two of them, but everyone who watches or reads about them in the media.

On the surface, it appears the main problem lies with the media, with its ability to make specific details about celebrity relationships accessible to anyone who reads them. A prime example is Elle’s recent publication, titled, ‘Everything You Need To Know About Ben Affleck’s Relationship With Girlfriend Ana de Armas.’ Do we really need to know why Affleck has decided to move on from his ex-wife or about how many dates they’ve been on? When reading the article, what made me feel most uncomfortable was the photograph captured by paparazzi whilst they were on an ‘intimate stroll,’ on a beach in Costa Rica. However, this moment seems far from intimate as the couple appear blissfully unaware they are being watched by eager paparazzi. It feels intrusive and unfair that the media feel they have the right to watch and photograph these private moments in celebrities’ lives, without the celebrities in question even knowing. When it comes to obsessive media coverage, celebrity breakups are no exception, with everyone eager to know who cheated on who and if they are ever getting back together. As if breakups aren’t bad enough already- having your break up make the headlines is just cruel.

Arguably, celebrities’ privacy should be better protected by the media. Despite living a high-profile life within the public eye, this doesn’t justify exposing intimate details surrounding their relationships and taking away any chance of privacy. They are human too, and unless they have agreed to interviews or photoshoots, the media should respect their wish to let some aspects of their lives remain private. The media often only shows us half of the story or blows things out of proportion to create gossip for entertainment. Therefore, it is not always to be trusted and we should not take it at face value. The only people who truly have full knowledge of their relationship are the celebrities involved.

In addition to the media’s  exposure and exploitation of celebrity relationships, it seems we must take a share of the blame. If we weren’t deemed to be lapping up these juicy relationship details, then surely the media would divert their attention elsewhere. There seems to be a prominent desire within us to know the ins and outs of celebrity relationships. Witnessing the beginning of a blossoming celebrity relationship allows us to live out our own romantic desires through them. Their breakups similarly remind us that they too are human and despite earning millions, they also must go through the painful experience of heartache. I must admit that I am guilty of this, becoming a bit too invested in Miley Cyrus’s relationship with Liam Hemsworth, feeling as if I was going through a breakup myself when they divorced in 2019. Although, this obsession seems strange when we don’t actually know these celebrities and have probably never even met them. We wouldn’t even ask some our friends all the details of their relationship, accepting it is a private matter concerning only the two involved.

Social media grants us powerful insights into all aspects of celebrity lives, from what healthy breakfast they ate that morning to what brand of teeth whitening they swear by. We grow to love these celebrities, feeling as if we know them personally. This results in us feeling we have a right to also every detail of their relationships. If they’re willing to live their life in the public eye, then surely their relationship should similarly be in the public eye too, right? Arguably this lack of privacy is just a part of being a celebrity and is what they signed up for. We fail to acknowledge, however, that their relationships may be the one aspect of their lives which they want to keep private, the one part which they want to experience away from constant scrutiny and criticism.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s relationship, which ended in 2014, shows how this obsession can get out of hand. Many fans of the pair still desperately cling on to their past relationship, which ended in 2014, despite Bieber’s marriage to model, Hailey Baldwin. This has led to hate comments against both Baldwin and the marriage, with some fans believing it was a cover-up to make Gomez jealous. This seems an absurd accusation to make and Bieber stood up for his wife in his response, claiming that although he once loved Gomez, he is happily married to Baldwin. Ultimately, however, it should not concern us who Bieber chooses to be with, and we must remember there are real feelings involved before commenting on celebrity relationships.

Although it is human nature to be inquisitive and satisfy our thirst for knowledge, when it comes to celebrity relationships we have to accept when it really is none of our business. We forget how much of an impact seemingly harmless speculation can have on celebrities amidst their already high-pressure lifestyle in the public eye. It is up to us to put ourselves in their shoes and if we would not offer up this private information, then neither should they be expected to, no matter how famous they are.