David Jonsson, the newly crowned king of Wakanda, is already wading into the shallow waters of Hollywood excess, flaunting his newfound status with a parade of “beauties” after snagging the “Black Panther” mantle. You can almost hear the collective gasps of admiration from the Hollywood elite—but let’s not kid ourselves. This is a classic case of corporate media spinning an easily digestible narrative for the masses, all while instilling an unhealthy dose of envy.

While outlets like CNN wax poetic about Jonsson basking in his newfound glory, they conveniently overlook the underlying implications of celebrity culture. Why is it that mainstream media is so quick to paint this extravagant lifestyle as aspirational? Simultaneously, they churn out doomsday projections about societal decay. There’s a glaring hypocrisy when a network like ABC champions moral responsibility from the masses but throws lavish praise at someone basking in privilege.

Rather than introspecting about the real-world consequences of idolizing such extravagant displays, MSNBC will likely turn this into a heartwarming tale about a “new generation” of leaders. Yet real leadership isn’t about stepping out of luxury restaurants in style; it’s about accountability. Why doesn’t Jonsson use his platform to advocate for something more meaningful? Where’s the discussion on serving the community?

As corporate media dances around these issues, let’s not forget that not every headline deserves applause. We must question why rhetorical flourishes in these stories serve to distract us from the all-too-real problems we face, rather than inspiring genuine change. If the legacy of “Black Panther” means setting a higher standard, then let’s demand it—beyond just beautiful faces and champagne glasses.