Celebrating National Best Friends Day with Heartwarming Celebrity Friendships

“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” This quote from the wise American philosopher and artist, Woodrow T. Wilson, highlights the timeless value of friendship and reinforces the belief that life is better when shared with loving and supportive companions. As we celebrate National Best Friends Day, it’s evident that this conviction resonates not only with ordinary folks but, more importantly, for celebrities who continue to astound us with beautiful bff relationships despite the trials and tribulations of fame.

From Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift to Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart, Hollywood’s finest have proven that strong bonds of friendship can exist between the unlikeliest of personalities. This affirmation of friendship and camaraderie serves as a reminder of the importance of authentic companionship, especially in this era of social isolation driven by a global pandemic.

Philosophical Perspectives on Friendship

The history of philosophy is replete with treatises and discussions on friendship, ranging from ancient ideas such as those espoused by Aristotle and Cicero to more contemporary thinkers such as Simone de Beauvoir. However, it is Aristotle who is arguably the most notable with his Nichomachean Ethics, where he focuses on friendship as a crucial element in human flourishing. Friendship, for Aristotle, is anchored on goodwill or an active desire of doing good to others. He then distinguishes between three different types of friendships: those of pleasure (pleasure-based), utility (advantage-based), and friendship based on virtue (selfless).

This categorization is particularly relevant when we consider the intricacies of celebrity friendships. For instance, the friendship between Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift started due to common interests and circumstances, but it evolved into one where the two genuinely care for each other through highs and lows. It’s a friendship borne of genuine kindness and mutual admiration, representing a friendship based on virtue.

On the other hand, the friendship between Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart’s appeared unexpected, being as different as night and day in terms of social status, personality, and interests. However, they embraced their differences, and over time they learned to appreciate the qualities that each of their personalities brings to the table. This represents a relationship founded on both pleasure and utility, where they also stand to gain professionally from one another.

The Bonding Power of Friendship

Friendship offers many benefits, from providing love and support in difficult times to sharing joy and happiness in one’s achievements. These benefits are the reasons friendship stands as a vital aspect of human existence, and not just for mere emotional reasons but physical ones as well.

According to research from the University of California, Los Angeles, healthy friendships contribute to longer lifespans, while a lack of social connections similarities with early mortality rates. Friendship helps lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms while improving overall mental health and brain functionality.

Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues ravaging across the globe, friendship has played a pivotal role in providing emotional support for individuals struggling to cope with social distancing protocols. Celebrities haven’t been exempt from these struggles, so having like-minded friends in an industry that can often feel lonely and uncomfortable has proven not only heartwarming but therapeutic as well.

Final Thoughts and Advice

The relationships between celebrities, just like those between ordinary people, reminds us of the importance of friendship and how it contributes to our socioemotional wellbeing. Regardless of how unlikely a friendship or companionship may seem, understanding other people’s differences, sharing goodwill, and embracing vulnerabilities are what can foster a relationship’s growth.

As we celebrate National Best Friends Day, let it serve as an invitation to reach out to our loved ones and express gratitude for their presence in our lives. Let’s celebrate the power of friendship and continue fostering relationships that cultivate love, happiness, growth, and all the other benefits of having strong and supportive friends.