Yesterday, my son and I met a famous man in a little, off the beaten path, Indian restaurant in New York City. I recognized the star right away as he was already seated with some adult family members. And so the awkwardness began. We were only a few feet away from one another and I started whispering to my son who this famous person is, while my son was whispering back, asking me to leave the poor man alone. This man knew that we knew who he is, so he smiled our way and I said, “I’m a fan of your work.” He said, “Thank you so much,” and then we all turned back to our own conversations. But it was uncomfortable. My son and I were distracted (I hardly ate), and we could easily hear each other’s conversations. I know where this star is going for Christmas this year. Before the star and his family members left, the famous man used the restroom, and I asked the man who appeared to be his brother, about how the star felt about having his picture taken with fans, and his brother immediately said (and seemed to be sincere) that the actor is happy to take pictures with fans. And it was true. The star was so gracious.
And I imagine that the actor was probably also completely and utterly annoyed with the situation, although I have read that the fame thing can be a two-edged sword for actors who are used to being recognized and then all of the sudden, aren’t recognized. I read a story once about Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal sitting on a beach, seeing the paparazzi coming their way. They started rolling their eyes and complaining to one another, only to have the paparazzi rush right past them towards another younger, bigger star at the time, further down the beach. Their moods shifted from annoyance to disappointment and outrage.
This dinner experience prompted a conversation with my son and I about whether either of us would ever want to be famous and the answer for both of us was “no.” We both value whatever privacy we have left in today’s modern world. It would be exhausting constantly having to be on your toes, worrying about your every move and people’s perceptions of said moves. Of course, it’s lovely to be appreciated for your work, but most famous people can’t separate the work, from themselves. They are their own product. They, themselves are their work. We all need breaks from our work. How do you take a break from yourself?
Are you passing on love or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.
