An icon can be a picture, symbol, logo, person, painting or face. The meaning was used in early centuries for religious paintings, or works of art. The term has soon changed to describe many things including successful people. The some of the people that have been called icons in the 21st century include Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Justin Beiber.
Their music and success have allowed them a higher profile in society and among the popular culture group, their fans and supporters of popular culture have referred to these celebrities as iconic for their musical work, as well as their charity and humanitarian work. Nowadays icons do not even need to have skills, they can be famous for trying to be famous, or be in reality TV shows, examples of these icons are Paris Hilton, and Kim Kardashian.
I have chosen Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Justine Beiber as icons because of the amount of fans they have and are able to influence without much effort. Michael Jackson’s name alone is known all over the world, even in nations that are not allowed to view celebrities as icons, these musicians’ names are known more that politicians and even well known religious names. There success has allowed them to visit places that a typical American will never visit, and thus most of their fans live through their icons. The icons provide an experience to popular culture that can only be done by a few people with money, power and certain skills. 
These Icons deliver news, raise awareness on global issues that local Americans would not be aware of if their icons did not inform them. Justin Beiber is a teenager, therefore he’s funs are usually between the ages of five to sixteen, these teenagers rarely watch the news, and most are not concerned with serious news or global issues unless their icon makes them aware of it. Icons have provided a way of thinking for the younger generation for decades through popular culture, their notoriety is what has lead to them being viewed as iconic, and they are sex symbols that their fans only wish to meet and aspire to be, making their lifestyles more appealing. However these artists are not viewed as icons to all people in their society, including myself. I am a Christian, and my faith goes against idolizing images people and other certain symbols, sure I can definitely enjoy some of their music and skills. However going as far as calling these celebrities my idols or icons is not a part of popular culture that I take part in, so I am definitely one of the few who can appreciate a few things that some of these artists have to offer, and yet disagree with their behaviors, music, and personas in so many ways. I also believe that they use their platforms to only promote themselves, and most of them in the industry are driven by greed. However everyone has the right, and free will to believe whatever they want to believe, and I am happy with that.
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