Celebrity

I saw an update on my facebook page and I've been motivated to write in reference to it. Especially because a comment was made to me at one point that insinuated I might be like this person and I HEAVILY feel that I am not.

I was at a bar with a friend. Our first and consequently our only time there, for more reasons than one. Anyhow, while we were there, Lindsey Lohan, Kevin Connolly, Rick Fox, David Arquette and Leonardo DiCaprio were also there. But we were in Hollywood so big fucking deal. Now I'll tell you right now and you probably won't believe me but I don't freak out when I see a celebrity. Why? Not because I'm a hard ass and not because I'm not into film or TV or sports. Just because I someday want to work with *some* of these people and I respect what they do and what they concurently go through because of it.

Now if I had a chance to talk to someone like, say Leonardo for instance, really, what I'd do is offer to help out with something. And I know, who the fuck am I to help him, right? But hey, I love this script he happens to have and I think it should get made as much as he does. But he's having a hard time getting it done. Now if there was anything I could do to assist in the process, that'd be the first thing I'd say. Then I might tell him about some other properties I know about which are out there in the open that I think are worth a look. Now maybe it sounds all business but that's what I'm interested in. Now if we click on another level, say sports, then great, we can talk BoSox all night if he wants. Because I'm a well rounded human with more than 1 interest.

What I think people forget is a celebrity is not a commodity, they're a person. Now I have interest in different celebrities for different reasons. Like their interests and personalities. I was never that big a fan of Leo but I like the way he grew up. I dig his concern for the environment but I hate the fact that he smokes and tends to date only supermodels. Just like I enjoy being around some of my friends but I don't love all their habits either.

So to the point. This guy I know has on his facebook page pictures of him and tons of celebs. He's not white, he's of a different origin. When he went to LA he managed to get an agent. Good for him, right? I mean, he seemed like a nice guy the two times I was around him. But now, since he's had this agent, all I ever see of him are pictures with some celebs like he's their best pal. Now you might be saying 'You're just jealous.' or 'You wish you were him.' Well, you don't know that I'm not. You don't know who my friends are, who I know or don't know. I do know some people. But I'll put up their photos equally with my non-celeb friends. I'm not a bragger. I'm not a name dropper. I, in fact, get embarrased when I talk about someone I know who might be a 'someone' because I'm afraid that's what people will think. And you know what else? If I was friend with a celeb, I'd probably have regular pics of us together, just hanging out. I wouldn't always feel the need to let the world know that I know them.

I think that's my point. Yes, I see celebrites in a business way because I have a passion about their business. Some of them do for a living something that I am very passionate about and I believe I will always have something to say to them about it. But I know they're people too and I'd love to get to know some of them as just who they are without the business. But I'd never objectify them like I feel this person is doing. I'd never use their friendship as a stamp of approval to be measured.

Celebrity is a bitch. It's people waiting for you to fuck up, to break up, to trip up and to vilify you when they think you are selling out or doing a flick they think is wrong for you or whatever. It's like being in high school permanently. Someone always is the geek or the jock or the slut and once you're that way and people make peace with it, they expect you to be it forever. Look how people reacted when Robert Pattinson cut his hair. He cut his hair. Who gives a shit? Well, apparently the entire world. And to think that every single time you meet someone new they are waiting to put that pic of you and them on facebook? Nice. Really tastefull. Just like banning certain types of clothing at school. Just like how everything was so cool in the 70's that Spielberg was just able to walk on set and show people what he was made of. Now, even if you are meant to be on the lot, if you show up early, they're checking your freaking badge with security because what possible reason would you have to be early?

Our culture has shifted so much that we are the reason we can't get close to the people we admire. If everyone just got a god damned grip already, maybe things wouldn't be so insane. I want to give a shout out to all the people out there on the A List or any other list. I know you have perks and a good salary and whatnot, but you put up with stalkers, paparazzi and crazy fans climbing the walls into your homes to do something that you love. That you grew up and dreamed about just like the rest of us and you were good at it and you do it still to this day because you love it. And I really think we should just thank you for putting up with all the shit so you can do a job you love.