Is it a good idea to meet your idols?

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
This may sound odd but over the years I have found that meeting a famous person whom I have admired from afar can ruin it for me. I think I prefer to keep them as an impossible far away fantasy. I refer mainly to actors, singers, and the like.

I met someone recently who is a stage star , had my pic taken etc with him and now I'm strangely deflated about him. He seemed so cold and distant, that false smile and charm they have to put on for fans. I do understand it's because they must preserve themselves from intrusion.

I think we all feel we know those we see on our TV or on the internet and the reality can be so different. From now on, I want to keep my idols up there on their golden pedestals!

So does anyone understand my feelings about this?
 

I understand what you're saying, but I can't really relate this time, Rose. I don't have any idols and probably haven't had anyone I'd call that since Bobby Sherman in the mid 70s. If I *would* admire a celebritity now (it's quite the opposite for me) I can't see that I'd ever want to meet them in person anyhow. I *do* think that very few celebrities are genuine and it's all a "show"... even in "real life" when a fan wants to meet them.
 
I took the boys to meet Red Green back in the late 1980s. Long, long lines but it was worth it.

I still suspect I knew him before he went into comedy though. He has the same real name as a guy who worked with us as a contractor for a time.
 

CallMeKate said:
I understand what you're saying, but I can't really relate this time, Rose. I don't have any idols and probably haven't had anyone I'd call that since Bobby Sherman in the mid 70s. If I *would* admire a celebritity now (it's quite the opposite for me) I can't see that I'd ever want to meet them in person anyhow. I *do* think that very few celebrities are genuine and it's all a "show"... even in "real life" when a fan wants to meet them.
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It can be an author or a minor celebrity but I feel it's not always a good thing to meet them. You kind of realise they are just a mere mortal or even that they may not be very pleasant.
 
And ... when they meet the public, it's not as if you're seeing them as they might be when they're home or with friends.
 
Oops, I just checked. The Red Green Show didn't come out until 1991, so maybe his meet n' greet tour was more like 1992 or 1993. Makes sense though, the boys would have been too young yet.

I'm sure I have the autographed photo yet. Not so sure about my Possum Lodge hat.
 
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Yes and no! Some have strange attitudes once they get off the stage. Others are absolutely lovely to meet.

I had the chance in 82 to meet Sir Paul McCartney at his MPL Offices in London.

Arrived after 30 minutes. I'd been told to wait, as I had a club membership card. We spend nearly two hours, chatting about anything and everything. He was so surprised at how calm I was, that suddenly he said: "Hang on, I'll order us lunch..."

We had pizza with extra cheese and Guiness wee bottles and donuts for dessert. We jammed to everything from his Beatles days to Wings. The best part of it, I got to hold and play with his violin bass guitar. It still had the songs lineup from their last live concert...

It was memorable, telling you here, it's like it happened yesterday...
 
I understand your problem.

IMO, it isn't a bad thing to meet your idols. If they're jerks or even worse, I think it's good to know.

I don't like idolize anyone, celebrities especially, but I've been disappointed to learn I've admired famous people who are actually disgusting or immoral or absolutely evil. Ends all strands of admiration for them but it isn't life-changing or anything.
 
I think you are right Rose, in that sometimes meeting an idol can be a big disappointment for the very reasons you stated. I've heard and read stories. My husband I met two people I'm a huge fan of...don't know if I'd use the term idol. Blessedly, both were so very nice. Now I'm honored to call one of them a very dear friend and he refers to me the same way. It's cool to say we are fans of each other!

In my early 20's, I also met my first celebrity crush from when I was about 19 or 20 ...Pervis Jackson of the Spinners. I had sent him the only fan letter I've every written and he responded. When they performed at The Cheetah in NYC, I went backstage, was invited to sit down and we had a lovely chat. He was also a very nice man, known to be kind to his fans, may he R.I.P.
 

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