Do queue jumping celebs deserve to be berated?

Brands have been quick to jump on the Holly and Phil queue jumping debacle with Dominos the latest to add to the criticism. Most have condemned the duo for using their celebrity status to get ahead in the queue to pay their respects to the late monarch. Whilst, of course, I agree with the sentiment, I can’t help thinking it a little hypocritical and it’s got me thinking about how quick we are to build up and knock down celebrities and influencers.

Whilst brands are happy to gift their wares to celebs or influencers (often items which most of us can’t get hold of for love nor money) in exchange for a glowing social post, those same brands surely can’t claim to be outraged that celebs will use their status to jump a queue or secure a last-minute table at a fancy restaurant.

Where should the line be drawn? When is it acceptable for someone to use their celebrity status to get ahead and when isn’t it? Rather than pointing the finger and calling for resignations, as marketing communications professionals, should we all be taking a closer look at the pedestals we put our celebs on and the ethics of this? Is the very fact that someone allowed them into the VIP line, putting them in the same realm as kings and queens from around the world the real issue here, rather than the fact they chose to join a line they had been deemed ‘entitled’ to join? Of course, we’re all still reeling from the sad events of the past week, but sometimes it pays to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.