Big Question - Dec07

How do celebrities like Benedict Goh manage their image after getting sentenced for drunk driving?

Why are we amazed when personalities get into trouble? We are led to believe that these artists are squeaky clean, and are elevated to such a high pedestal that they are expected to do no wrong.

But, like you and me, Benedict Goh is a fallible human being who just happens to work on TV. Benedict Goh needs to walk the talk - prove that he is truly penitent, and I expect that the rather forgiving Singaporean public will pardon him. 

If Benedict Goh is truly remorseful, then he should do the talking himself rather than through his lawyer. He should personalise his message by apologising to the individual (by name) to whom he caused the damage, and also to the wider Singapore populace to whom he might have posed a physical danger to.

To further demonstrate his sincerity, Benedict Goh should become an active advocate against drink driving in addition to serving out his jail term. For no commercial gain, he should consider fronting an anti-drink driving campaign and perform community service in assisting in the rehabilitation of those injured or disabled by drink drivers.

Denise Tan

Senior Account Executive

Public Relations

141 Worldwide, Singapore

 

If Benedict Goh was your average man in the street and he collided into a parked vehicle, then we wouldn't be reading about it in the press. On the other hand, Christopher Lee did hurt people, then fled the scene.... celebrity or not, that is unscrupulous.

If they have been drinking alcohol, the only option is to call a taxi - or get their friends to drive them home. While no one expects these two individuals to take on some type of ambassador role for 'don't drink and drive' - it certainly would be wise for both of them to acknowledge the recklessness of their actions to get behind the wheel, and do everything in their power to ensure it never happens again. 

In managing their images moving forward and ensuring these blemishes fade somewhat with time, celebrities who have been caught and reprimanded by law enforcement must take these lessons to heart in everything they do.

They should be proactively demonstrating remorse and better judgement - openly, honestly, and actively - to show a different mindset The same media that published the harsh facts around the incidents, I am sure would be accommodating to what the celebrities have to say now.

Karen Flynn

Regional account director

Manning Selvage & Lee