‘Fame is Disgusting’

Fame is a funny old thing; the stars we see on screen grow up wanting it more than anything, wanting to be known all over the world for whatever it is they do. And of course there are those who want fame for fame’s sake, until it’s landed in their laps and apart from the money and the fancy clothes, they wonder why they ever yearned for a position in the spotlight.

Katy Perry is one such person who, while grateful for her fans and her success (and fair play to her, she has actual talent), views the idea of fame and all that goes with it as a rather horrible by-product of how she makes a living. And there’s countless like her. They want the recognition, they’re happy to take the million dollar cheques, but cannot tolerate the public and the media’s interest in their affairs.

In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Katy explained how fame was something she never envisioned.

?I never wanted to be famous. That’s a byproduct of what I do. Fame is truly a byproduct of the dream that I had. People want to be recognized for their work, but nobody wants to be famous for nothing. Fame is, I think, disgusting. And it’s really hard to separate your public life from your?personal life. Useless fame is disgusting. I think if you’ve got a talent or something to offer, a creative thing to offer to the world, then I think that’s beautiful. But that famous for nothing thing is kind of gross. It’s a bummer. And, you know, I only ever just wanted to make music and be on stage and play.?

(Kristen Stewart – Former Twilight actress who too grapples with the idea of fame)

But at the same time, there’s a lot to be said for dating famous men:

?It’s not that they have to be famous, although there’s a level of understanding when they’re in the same business, you know? They understand what it means when you’re tired from a show or the tour’s exhausting you or if an?interview?went wrong – they know all the ins and outs, so you can just walk in to the house with a certain face and they understand, you know? Rather than, like, having to explain everything and that takes two, three hours.?

What’s your take on Katy’s stance? Do you have to take the good with the bad? If you’re going to sell out global tours, make millions and weasel your way into the hearts of countless young fans, isn’t it a given that these people will be so transfixed by your popularity, they’ll want to know more about your life, and particularly your private life?

Should celebrities HAVE to put up with the more negative aspects of fame? What’s your take?

Share your thoughts below.

Caroline Foran @CarolineForan