Ever want to be famous?

When you look at actors, athletes or even just internet sensations it is easy to feel a sense of envy. Think about it. Access to some of the most desirable partners in the world. Access to the best restaurants. Access to the most interesting events. Huge sums of money from promotions or just adding your name onto something. Things most people plan or dream about become just another Tuesday.

Envy is very real at first glance.

But what price do you put on privacy? What price to you put on a quiet evening with friends? What price do you put on real social connections?

Fame comes with a heavy cost

Personally I would actively avoid fame and all the trappings that go with it. I'm well aware of the perks. I would really enjoy eating at Michelin star restaurants. I would really enjoy meeting other famous people. I would really enjoy flying first class vs cattle. However, I just wouldn't want to pay the price.

And there most certainly is a price.

You don't have to look too far to find very famous people who had to pay that price for fame in one way or another.

1 : People trying to get rich from your fame

How about Michael Jackson? Have you heard the song "Billie Jean"? It portrays a very real occurence with the rich and famous. Here is a line from the song.

“Billie Jean is not my lover / She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one / But the kid is not my son.”

Now having some random woman show up at my home and claim that I am the father of their child is not even on my radar. Unless I did something truly out of character it would be truly outrageous. No-one is going to care, there is no money to be had, there is also no probable way that a matchup of that type would occur.

However, in the lives of the famous where many people vye for the attention of the famous person? Sure a hookup could occur. Sure a baby could be the result. Guess what. Even if the mother lie's it still becomes a media sensation that famous person has to deny and likely have to go to court over. Who would need that kind of stress?

2 : Pressure to look awesome

Now for actors and actresses there is great pressure to look a certain way. Just this morning I saw an image of someone who looked vaguely familiar but it wasn't until I read that it was Miley Cyrus that I did a double take and thought. No. That's can't be. If you are curious you can see the article here

Guess what it isn't just the women. I also remember an article which featured one of the cast members of Friends (whoever played the role of "Joey") being photographed by Paparazzi just relaxing at the beach. The caption at the bottom of the image:

Beached males

I may not look good in a swimsuit to be certain. However, if I do go out to the beach and wear a swimsuit I would be surprised if it hit a tabloid the next day. I don't need that type of stress in my life either. Funny thing: I couldn't find an image of a fat man at the beach on Pixabay and Dall-e won't create a picture. Guess even the internet doesn't want us to see that.

3: Peer Pressure and Keeping up appearances.

Consider being invited to going to a very fancy event. The Grammy awards, Teen choice awards, or any number of other events. The one thing they have in common? A lot of very famous people all dressing to be in one place all at the same time. Reporters everywhere and the whole thing on film.

Can you imagine the stress involved in finding the right outfit to show up in? Could you imagine if some tabloid ended up airing a photo of you and having it sow up on the "Worst dressed list?". Now if you are someone like Adam Sandler who makes it a habit to dress down for events. He gets buy on his humor. However, if you are someone known to be elegant how hard would it be to keep up appearances.

Yes, yet another stress I'm happy I will never have to endure.

4 : Even small interruptions.

Things don't even have to be major. If you are famous and instantly noteworthy that would make simple things hard. Enjoying a dinner with friends and every 15 minutes someone wants to take a selfie with you. Or perhaps they want an autograph. Or even they just want 5 minutes to tell you how awesome you are. Whatever the issue it means your life is no longer your own.

One more time. I don't need that kind of stress.

How to sift from a million people who want to be your friend?

The true deal breaker for me would be not knowing who likes me for me. Eddie Murphy, a well known comedian, once put a part into his routine about "Eddie ... half". More or less saying that because of his fame he got attention from a lot of women. Unfortunately the majority would be interested in him for his fame and money. He joked that he was going to find someone from a remote area who didn't know him, didn't know about money or fame, and didn't even speak his language. In that way he could find someone who wasn't out to just use him. The punchline of the joke was he found this woman, married this woman, and once married her first words to him were "Eddie..... half".

Overall?

I am quite happy to be anonymous. I can dress down whenever i want and know that to most people I'm invisible. I can do something stupid and it is unlikely to be on social media 12 hours later. Even if it is, I'm highly unlikely to every find out about it.

Sure being just a random old guy can be boring, but at least I don't run into the trappings of fame and success. That is worth far more to me than all the perks of being famous.

Of course you may disagree and you are welcome to your opinion. I'd love to hear the comments down below. But that's my response to the Hive Learners post...Fame is a big pass for me. I think the worst part of being famous would be having to deal with everyone who suddenly wants to be your friend.