I'm assuming we're talking about the 'good' fame, like a movie star. What are the benefits of fame? The biggest one is getting laid anytime. You get free stuff. Skip the lines. Probably get good service wherever you go. And I'm sure there are some days when any of us wouldn't mind some adulation from fans while walking down the street. The negatives? The fear that every person you had an intimate relationship with may try to extort money out of you later. That suspicion that everyone that befriends you has an ulterior motive, thereby having a distrust of most people. Strangers interrupting you at every moment you're outside the house, like in the middle of dinner at a restaurant. Your bad moments are magnified to the world. Hell, your normal moments are interpreted as bad moments and magnified to the world. The inability to have a private moment in a public place. I'll take wealth w/out any fame whatsoever. Otherwise I'd be willing to do it in moderation...like Chuck Hayes-level fame - ie still anonymous.
I was famous right from the start...people fawning all over me, acting silly. Ever since about 3 I've been trying to get back to that stardom. But now, meh, I can take it if it were my lot, but I'm waaaaaay too comfortable enjoying being invisible.
As a few have mentioned, I could handle be famous if it came with also being rich. Fame alone? No thanks. I purposely choose rather bland looking automobiles to drive. I also don't dress flashy and when I was younger and had a pretty damn good physique I wore baggier clothes to disguise it. I hate standing out in crowds or being the center of attention. I don't even care for people much. Being famous would probably drive me insane.
I would agree with that for the most part. Many things in life aren't so black and white. Many people assume fame comes with unbearable hassles, but I think fame is very much what you make of it. Tom Hanks is tremendously famous, but is hardly ever scrutinized. While Paris Hilton made the front cover of the tabloids for weeks on end.
If I was getting PAID BIG $$ to do what I love, and be good at it, then I can handle a little celebrity (like Vince Voyeur) I think I have something to offer, but whether anyone want s to see and hear it is another thing.
I wouldn't want to be famous. And I bet if TOP-LEVEL actors, artists or even professional athletes could be assured upfront of a comfortable, consistent six-figure salary for the next 40 years being around their craft anonymously, half of them would fire their publicists, agents and cancel every photoshoot, interview or endorsement gig in a heartbeat. I just don't see how you can be sane or happy dodging photographers or fans every other minute; or having to question the motives of every relative, friend or casual acquaintance you have. I still get pissed off every day about bad work reviews from six years ago, I can't imagine having to read articles, blog posts or hear news stories about my character or physical appearance every damn day. As a side note, I wouldn't want to be rich, either. As solitary as I am, work is pretty much the only thing I look forward to; without it I would get bored pretty quickly and probably break 400.
No.. Infact, I have a deep fear of success.. I constantly try my best to avoid it.. Within the current circumstances of my life.. and poor quality of being.. I know I would not be able to respond or react to it properly or in the slightest positive way.. I simply want no part of it.. with the way things currently are for me..
Me too. I wouldn't want to be so well known that I couldn't go anywhere without people following me. But it would be cool to be recognized in public every once and a while. I sort of feel like a micro-celebrity when I go to the "geek-cons" and do my podcasting shtick. When strangers ask for your autograph... well that's sort of cool. It's enough "celebrity" to last me the rest of the year though. Too bad it doesn't come with a monetary benefit.
