It seems that everybody wants to be a celebrity, except for celebrities themselves!
Last month, pop star Chappell Roan made a statement on social media claiming that ‘it’s weird how people think that you know a person just because you see them online’ regarding her uneasiness surrounding fan interactions, stating that fans were ‘stalking’ her by asking for photographs in public. This polarising statement received a plethora of reactions from fans online, some supporting the star’s requests for privacy, while others criticised her unrealistic expectations of fame.
At the beginning of August, Roan performed at Lollapalooza festival, where she attracted the largest crowd the festival has ever seen, following her rapid rise to fame over the last few months. Is it reasonable for her to turn down eager fans at her new heights of stardom, or does she simply need to accept her new lifestyle as a result of her outstanding success?
Unsurprisingly, Chappell is not the only celebrity who has expressed a desire for seclusion: Leonardo DiCaprio notoriously wears makeshift disguises in public to conceal his identity from fans and paparazzi. Can you blame him?
However, despite these celebrities’ needs for privacy, many people believe that fans should be able to express their appreciation to artists for providing inspiration to millions. Surely, as an artist, you would feel grateful for the enthusiasm of fans who enable your success; however, this isn’t always the case.
Imagine stepping out of your house and being bombarded with cameras and screaming strangers, calling your name and demanding photographs; it is no surprise that many stars lash out, or simply reject their fame as a result of the overwhelming lifestyle. It’s important to remember that celebrities are humans, just like us, despite their wealth or how many of their songs are in the charts.
On the other hand, you could argue that a celebrity turning down fans is like a doctor turning away patients: it doesn’t make sense! Without the support of these fans, artists would have no career, so is it reasonable for artists to accept all the benefits of success - money and acclaim - just to reject the difficulties as soon as they feel overwhelmed? That’s not how it works in the real world. Nurses can’t abandon their shift whenever they feel like it because they’re tired or simply not in the mood. Teachers can’t leave lessons because there are too many students asking too many questions. So why is it different for celebrities?
So, where do you stand? Would you approach your favourite artist on the street if you spotted them, or would you take their personal boundaries into consideration?
Sources:
TikTok: @chappellroan
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-taking-picture-man_2518449.htm
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