If there ever was a doubt, it’s official: Michael Phelps is a super star. Fourteen-time Olympic gold medalist, the most by any Olympian, Phelps currently holds seven world records in swimming — surpassing former household name Mark Spitz. The Games aren’t even over but already the 6′4” Adonis-physique 23-year-old seems to have everything going for him. Prior to this year’s Olympics, Phelps was already earning over five million dollars a year from endorsements. Now poised to enter a stratosphere even Tiger Woods would envy, it won’t be long before he joins the 100-million-dollar club shared for only the best of the best. And the media will be there by his side leading the way…

Then, once his size 14 feet are firmly planted in the status of super stardom, the media will wait patiently along the sidelines for him to trip and fall. Maybe Phelps will land himself another drunk driving arrest. Another because, until now, his first drunk driving arrest a few years ago has barely been mentioned. Or perhaps the media will find a way to punch a hole in his well-publicized 6,000 calorie-a-day diet with tabloid claims of manorexia. Or how about a good old fashioned rumor of steroid use or a gay lifestyle that will knock him down a few pegs?

Whatever it is, one thing in his future is as certain as a speedo wedgie: as quick as the Media builds him up, they will tear him down.

Sure, Phelps can win a gold medal for his backstroke, but from here on, the only thing that’s important is how good he is at back-peddling. Because the bigger he becomes, the more faults the media will search out for in ways to exploit. It’s all about selling newspapers, magazines, and news programs. That goofy “aw shucks” grin will only go so far.

Just ask not-so-poor Miley Cyrus. By 15, the pop idol shot to fame with her TV persona “Hannah Montana,” selling millions of concert tickets, CDs, and merchandising. At 18, she’s predicted to become a billionaire. Miley’s “Cinderella” story hit a major road bump when she sat down for a photo shoot for Vanity Fair with Annie Leibowitz, featuring her posing beneath a sheet. Within hours, the media leaked the pictures as if they discovered Miley involved in kiddie-porn. For the record, yes — beneath the sheet, Miley was seemingly unclothed. But there was a sheet covering her — the only thing suggestive or salacious was the way the media was portraying the whole event.

Take Shia LeBeouf, star of Transformers and the latest Indiana Jones installment, who seemed destined for a new stratosphere of stardom until a drunk driving accident left him with several broken fingers (leaving Shia with no one else to point to to blame). This couldn’t have happened at a worse time, as Shia was busy filming Transformers II and George Lucas was talking about continuing the Indiana Jones franchise starring his character. Almost instantly, Lucas recanted any intention of future installments, saying he couldn’t foresee another Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford.

It’s interesting to watch how the media builds then proceeds to tear down the demi-gods they create. Sometimes it’s done more than once on the same individual. Robert Downey, Jr. has been built up and torn down more times than a New Orleans suburb. Between stints of rehab and drug arrests, it’s a wonder his talent has been able to surpass his notoriety. Currently, his career is riding so high, it’s only a matter of time before Vegas starts taking bets on his next fall.

Granted the media is not completely to blame — a lot of these stars actively give them fodder to exploit. But even when there are slim pickings, the media will make a meal of crumbs and leftovers. Take Tom Cruise — arguably the top movie star in the world for the past two decades — a feat in itself, as Cruise has had to battle not only a fickle public but a constant stream of media scrutiny about everything from his religion to his relationships and his sexuality. But by some miracle, Cruise so far seems to be winning. So far…

What is it about the public’s fascination in watching the rich and famous stumble? It’s as if somehow it makes us feel better about ourselves. And we turn so quickly; often times we don’t even need firm proof. An unsubstantiated allegation is good enough. Sarah Jessica Parker just walked away this summer from a surprising mega-hit in the Sex in the City movie…only to bear the cover of OK Magazine featuring an article about her husband’s alleged affair with a woman half her age. It’s as if half the women across America pick up the magazine thinking, “See, bitch — your life isn’t so good after all!”

Perhaps The Bible’s to blame for our insatiable desire to watch our superstars fall from grace. The Old Testament said it was a sin to worship false deities. Even real deities didn’t fair so well either. Look what happened to Jesus. But if People Magazine existed in the day, I’m sure Judas would have been named “Sexiest Apostle.”

Then look what happened to him.

Fame is a tough game for anyone that plays. For most, it’s a no-win scenario…for the rest, it’s simply a win with option to lose later.

Watch your back, Michael. Aside from the goofiness, you seem like a good kid. But from now on, you’ve got the world’s eyes on you just waiting for you to fall. Count on it. It’s an American tradition like apple pie and baseball…and by baseball, I’m referring to A-Rod, aka Alex Rodriguez, the Yankee’s third baseman whose marriage is currently crumbling over rumors of infidelity.

Just try to keep your image clean until you get your face on a box of Wheaties, will ya?

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