Cultural icon

A cultural icon is a famous individual who has transcended "mere" celebrity to come to represent a given Zeitgeist to a sizable part of the world. As such, a cultural icon is not simply a famous face but a complex, multi-layered personage who reflects the conflicts and contradictions of his or her time. While cultural icons aren't by definition a phenomenon of the 20th century, modern mass media and popular culture have contributed greatly to the creation of these symbols.

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On July 22, 2003, US cable TV channel VH1 named Oprah Winfrey as number one pop culture icon, followed by Superman and Elvis.

Related Topics:
July 22 - 2003 - VH1 - Oprah Winfrey - Superman - Elvis

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Cultural icons are often labeled as such by others whereas cultural heroes often earn such a title. In addition, an icon is the embodiment of the complexities of a culture. They reflect and enrich it often by both challenging and embracing their society.

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