Fame has been around for ages, becoming a heavily desired factor of life – not for no reason, however. Fame brings in influence, money, and a higher level of life for those who have the privilege to enjoy its gifts. However, it also has a tendency to corrupt – like it did with the artist D4vd and the subsequent killing of 14-year old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Background

D4vd, or as he’s better known, David Burke, became internet famous in 2022 when he released his song, “Romantic Homicide,” in 2022. His abuse of Rivas Hernandez would start in November 2023. In February of 2024, authorities would search his home for Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing by her parents. He would claim that he didn’t know she was a minor. Her parents took away her phone, but they allege that he “paid a junior high classmate of Rivas Hernandez $1000 to give her a phone so she could keep in contact with him,” according to the Associated Press. Two months later, she’s reported missing again – for the final time. The two broke up in November 2024.

Burke became famous again in April of 2025, with his performance at Coachella. About 11 days after the viral incident at his performance, Burke and Rivas Hernandez are seen fighting over text, with Rivas Hernandez threatening to “reveal their illicit relationship” and “destroy his life,” according to BBC. The messages revealed “the victim’s jealousy over [Burke’s] relationships with other women, as [he] led her to believe they had a future together. She became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with [Burke] to end his career and destroy his life,” according to the Associated Press. The next day is the last day she is known to be alive. Prosecutors allege that he killed her because of the text messages the day previous.

Throughout the next few months, Rivas Hernandez’s body is mutilated, Burke launches his debut album and tour, and her body is discovered in the trunk of his abandoned Tesla – in cadaver bags covered in bugs. Afterwards, his remaining tour dates are canceled, a heartbreaking funeral is held for Rivas Hernandez, and Burke is arrested and is “formally charged with murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body,” according to the Associated Press.

How fame corrupts

While researching this case, I have had my heart broken, stomach twisted, and tears shed by the actions of Burke and the relationship between him and Rivas Hernandez. Though, my mind brought up many questions as to how this was allowed to happen.

How easy is it for celebrities to get away with major crimes like Burke did?

I think it’s incredibly easy for celebrities to get away with something like what Burke did to Celeste. Musicians are pretty private between their releases of music, alongside other celebrities. It’s mostly because of their busy schedule of creating music, but it also gives them the space and time to abuse and hurt others. 

There’s also a degree of separation between your average Joe and a celebrity; a pedestal placed that cannot easily be removed. In my opinion, those in the spotlight have a certain amount of protection due to their influence on others. In the court of public opinion, those with wide influences are typically placed in a positive light that potentially changes the perception of the severity of their actions.

Why does fame corrupt?

I believe that fame corrupts because there’s no one to keep those with high levels of influence and/or power in check. With the government, there’s a system of checks and balances (to varying degrees of success) to regulate the powers each branch holds. With celebrities, there’s nothing to keep them in place.

Don’t get me wrong, I can see why we don’t have something like that. It’s an infringement on citizens’ privacy and rights and can quickly lead to a surveillance state society; however, it’s a double edged sword as what happened with Burke and Rivas Hernandez may happen again – or may currently be happening with another celebrity.

Despite many celebrities being arrested for breaking the law in some fashion, why does it continue to happen?/Why hasn’t anything changed?

Nothing has really changed due to the fact that there isn’t a checks and balances system in place for those in power. There’s a sense of protection and ego that those with high influence and/or power have because they know that they most likely won’t get caught – or if they do, they won’t be held accountable for long.

Another reason is money. There are many with high influence/power that use their money to get what they want, keeping themselves (and their friends) out of trouble with law enforcement. 

Why are celebs held to a higher standard than ordinary citizens?

I believe that celebrities are held to a higher standard than ordinary citizens because of their money and influence on others. Sentences in court are lessened considerably due to their influence on society. 

Take Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil and his DUI manslaughter case in 1984: he pleaded guilty and served 15-20 days in jail. If he was a regular citizen, he most likely would have served months, if not years, in jail for the lives ended due to drunk driving. 

Another example would be the Texan Ethan Couch, who killed four people at the age of 16 due to drunk driving in 2013. He was known as the “affluenza” teen, as his defense argued that he suffered from said disease. “Affluenza is a psychological illness affecting people by their privileged or wealthy upbringing. In Couch’s case, attorneys argued that he lacked a moral compass or didn’t know right from wrong due to his family’s wealth.”

Overall, D4vd and his actions with and against Celeste Rivas Hernandez is a prime example of how fame corrupts those who have it. While there are many who haven’t done anything illegal or corrupt with their platform and influence, there are still those who stain the pedestal they’re placed on. While there may be no checks and balances system for celebrities besides the authorities, there is hope for the future that that can change and these deplorable actions can stop once and for all.

Sites Sourced

Boone, Dalton. “A timeline leading up to D4vd’s murder charge in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez” April 20, 2026 The Associated Press

Saad, Morris. “US singer D4vd bought tools online to dispose of girl’s body, prosecutors allege” April 30, 2026 BBC News

Dalton. “Prosecutors say singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death to silence her” April 29, 2026 The Associated Press

Howerton. “10 years ago, ‘affluenza’ teen Ethan Couch killed four and injured several others in a drunk-driving crash” June 16, 2023 WFAA