As if the nation’s collective shock wasn’t enough with Whoopi Goldberg and Megan Rapinoeannouncing their intentions to depart America’s shores, Joy Behar, co-host of The View, hasthrown her hat into the ring. “I don’t get any respect either,” Behar quipped during a recentepisode, suggesting she’s contemplating joining her colleague and the soccer superstar on theirquest for a more understanding homeland.
Each of these women has had her share of the limelight – and not always for universally adoredreasons.Megan Rapinoe, long celebrated as a linchpin of the U.S. women’s soccer team, faced a storm ofcriticism after a missed penalty kick in a crucial game. What should’ve been a mere momentaryblip in an illustrious career became a national point of contention. The missed goal turnedmetaphorical, a sign, critics said, of Rapinoe’s supposed distractions and misplaced priorities.
Whoopi Goldberg, renowned for her straight talk and no-nonsense approach on The View, hashad her fair share of foot-in-mouth moments. While her candidness has won her legions of fans,her “loud mouth,” as some critics label it, has also landed her in hot water more times than she’dlikeAnd now, Joy Behar. Often seen as the comedic relief, her remarks have not always landed wellwith audiences across the political spectrum. She’s been the subject of countless memes, talkshow discussions, and even heated family dinner debates.
In light of the recent announcements, Behar’s feelings of marginalization have come into sharpfocus. “If Whoopi and Megan feel they aren’t respected here, why should I think any different?”she mused during a recent interview. Her rhetorical question paints a portrait of America thatmany public figures, particularly women, might silently nod in agreement with.While most people threaten to leave their home country after a disappointing election or a sportsdefeat, it’s rare for celebrities to vocalize such desires, let alone act on them. But this trio seemsintent on making a statement. Their collective grievance underscores a growing trend in the worldof fame: the increasing scrutiny, judgment, and the trials of living life under a microscope in thedigital age.The big question now is – where will they go? Canada, often the default promise of many “I’mleaving America!” proclaimers, might seem too close to home. Europe? Perhaps. Or maybe amore remote, exotic locale where talk-shows and penalty kicks are of little concern to the localpopulace.There’s no doubt this collective move – or the threat of it – is causing ripples. It’s prompted thinkpieces, late-night show monologues, and earnest discussions about the way we treat ourcelebrities. Do we hold them to impossible standards? Are we too quick to judge, criticize, andcancel?
Conversations on respect, particularly towards women in the limelight, are being reignited. Is theexpectation for them to be flawless, to never miss a penalty kick, to always say the right thing,realistic? Or even fair?While there’s a comical edge to the idea of celebrities banding together to leave their homelandbecause they feel underappreciated, there’s a kernel of truth beneath the satire. The “GreatAmerican Exodus,” as it’s being dubbed, offers a mirror to society. It beckons us to reflect on howwe perceive, treat, and react to those in the spotlight. After all, they might be celebrities, butthey’re humans first. And like all humans, a little respect goes a long way.
