[MaryJane]

Actress SARAH JESSICA PARKER has lashed out at American culture's obsession with celebrity for diverting the public away from pressing political and social issues.

The actress believes people idolise screen stars because they want to share in their wealth and beauty - but the trend is destroying the imagination of a generation.

She says, "I think this insatiable appetite for the shallow tidbits of celebrity culture is just a distraction from getting involved politically and questioning our leaders.

"All we talk about now are 'celebrities'. They call themselves actors, they get paid as actors and sometimes, they're paid more than me. But often these people have done absolutely nothing."

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