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30 Of The Worst And Best Celebrity Encounters These People Probably Will Never Forget
Interview With Expert
It’s true that celebrities are just like any other person. But we still get excited when we spot one in the wild. If we gather enough courage, we even go up to them and ask for a photo or an autograph (do people still do that?). Unfortunately, not all of these encounters are pleasant, as they're just humans, who are also susceptible to bad days, stress, fatigue, or even introversion.
Started by Tamela Julia Gordon (@shewritestolive), a New York-based community organizer and author of the 2024 hit, Hood Wellness, people under this thread were recently sharing all sorts of interactions with celebrities, ranging from bad to surprisingly sweet. Scroll down to find them below, and make sure to share your own sightings of famous people in the comments.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with the writer Tamela Julia Gordon, who started this discussion in the first place. We also reached out to Kojenwa Moitt, CEO at Zebra Public Relations, and Jordan McAuley, founder of Contact Any Celebrity, who kindly agreed to give us some pointers on how to behave when meeting a celebrity.
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#1
Miriam Insidecor 10 months ago (edited)
Daniel Radcliffe is a gem, so not surprised to hear this. I don't understand celebrities that look down on other people. The industry would fall apart without crew members.
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#2
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
I met him once in NYC. He was in a production with his brother, and I saw them both hanging out after the show. Very nice guys, both of them. I didn't have a camera on me, this was way before cell phones, so I don't have a picture or anything.
#3
Multa Nocte 10 months ago
I can't imagine how that went. I have watched Vincent Price in so many scary movies that if he read the most charming story ever I would still be frightened.
Tamela Julia Gordon (@shewritestolive), a New York-based community organizer and author of the 2024 hit, Hood Wellness, tells Bored Panda that she was inspired to start this discussion online after a conversation with someone about an essay in her book Can I Hate Your Order?.
In it, she talks about the good, bad, and ugly in the hospitality industry, which prompted a person to ask her if she had ever served a celebrity. This led her to also share her answer on the Threads platform, encouraging others to do the same.
Since she has met many celebrities working in hospitality, we were curious to know if she ever gets nervous when meeting famous people. “Celebrities don’t faze me but authors make me swoon,” Tamela told us. “I passed Lady Gaga’s credit card to her server without blinking. But last fall I met Deesha Philyaw and I still get misty-eyed thinking about that.”
#5
Say No to Downvoting 10 months ago
I have pictured this whole interaction in my head with Alice Cooper in line at GAP in full concert make up.
#6
Tom Brincefield 10 months ago
I saw Doohan at a CreationCon way back when. After the show, he sat on the lobby signing autographs and talking to fans until the entire line went through. He was friendly and kind to everyone for a couple of hours.
Unfortunately, not all experiences meeting famous people were pleasant for her. After meeting one celebrity in particular, she had to change the opinion she had previously formed about them for the worse. “I always thought Andy Samberg was pretty cool until I met him one day in the West Village. He was a jerk.”
Having had unpleasant experiences with famous people, she believes that celebrities should always try their best to be nice to fans. “I think kindness is universal. No one should be expected to smile and acquiesce to every request from a stranger, but kindness is a currency and there’s never a good excuse to be rude or mean—unprovoked.”
To find out more about how fans should behave when meeting a famous person, we reached out to Kojenwa Moitt, CEO at Zebra Public Relations, and Jordan McAuley, founder of Contact Any Celebrity, who kindly agreed to give us some pointers.
When thinking about approaching a celebrity, McAuley says that the best way to do it is to wait until they’re not talking to someone else. “Then politely ask if you can get a photo. Most will be able to oblige. If they say they can't, say thank you anyway and move on. Sometimes, celebrities rush to get to an event, catch a flight, be with their family, etc.”
However, it would be better to think twice before approaching a famous person if they’re talking to someone, in a rush, eating, in the bathroom, or in any other way you wouldn’t like to be interrupted, says McAuley. “Treat them like you would want to be treated.”
#12
Luke Branwen 10 months ago
Mar🐫 is notoriously the coolest guy ever + VERY outspoken anti-MAGA. And I'm also happy Ahmed Best managed to overcome the Jar-Jar $hitstorm and return to Star Wars as Kelleran Beq.
“It’s best not to approach a celebrity when they are about to take the stage to make a public comment,” added Moitt. “Contrary to popular belief, celebrities are also wracked full of nerves when they have an important speech or announcement to make.”
“I remember meeting Alicia Keys backstage at the Global Citizen concert in Central Park in New York one year, I had been granted backstage access. I was so stunned to see her in front of me, that we began chatting about life,” Moitt shared.
“Soon the announcer called for her to take the stage and she perked up and reminded me immediately that she had to run. While I was grateful for this short interaction, it occurred to me that she would have needed that moment to gather herself and collect her thoughts. It is selfish to think that celebrities should always be ‘on,’ and I am genuinely irritated when I hear stories of celebrities dining out, later bombarded with requests from fans and strangers alike for their autographs.”
#13
If you were lucky enough to approach the celebrity at a good time, during the interaction, McAuley advises avoiding talking too much about yourself. “Keep the focus on them. Tell the celebrity how much you appreciate their work, what movie or television show impacted you, and how much they inspire and entertain you. Don't be rude or condescending. Avoid telling them how much you don't like their hair or what they're wearing. Remember, celebrities are not objects; they are people, too.”
When meeting a celebrity, Moitt also recommends avoiding the following:
- Avoid repeating gossip you may have heard on a blog. It's a true turn off.
- Avoid stalking, it’s really scary.
- Avoid jousting with someone who also wants to meet that same celebrity. See if you can wait your turn to make a real connection.
- Avoid hogging the conversation to fill your ego, it’s really rude!
- Avoid blurting out obscenities, it's super hurtful.
- Avoid lunging at them, security detail will freak out!
#21
Something else these experts urge to keep in mind when encountering famous people is that not all interactions with celebrities will be positive, and that’s okay. “If you're polite and respectful, most celebrities will be too,” says McAuley. “But everyone has a bad day. Sometimes, celebrities are in a rush, going through a breakup, are under stress, or don't want to be interrupted or photographed for various reasons. Sometimes, they're just insecure about how they look that day. Remember to be mindful and respectful. About 90% of your celebrity encounters will be positive. Know that about 10% will not be what you expected, and that's ok,” he reassured.
#23
#24
zububonsai 10 months ago
🥰. I'm sooo looking forward to her concert in my hometown at my birthday this year.... 😍
“It is realistic for fans to expect most celebrities to have positive encounters with them, but it is important to remember that just like us, celebrities have down days too,” seconds Moitt.
“Perhaps they have had negative experiences meeting fans also, that will put them on edge. Not everything goes right all the time and celebs have good days and bad days, just as we all do. The mantra here is “read the room.” After that Will Smith's slap at the Oscars was heard all across the world, we saw a bunch of paparazzi waiting outside of his hotel one day while finishing up some lunch. We wanted to hang around and wait for him to exit but thought better of it and went home. We knew he would be bombarded with questions after someone left a tip about where he had been staying!”
#25
Wat Tyler's Revenge 10 months ago
He was such a sweetheart when he deigned to visit East Palestine. The residents must've felt so special he visited and did nothing.
#26
DennyS (denzoren) 10 months ago
Really glad to hear this about Bateman, I like his acting/shows.
#29
Surly Scot 10 months ago
Never heard a bad story about Urban or his wife Kidman. both seem to be decent folks.
#30
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 10 months ago
To be fair to Bruce, he does have dementia. Perhaps it was an earnest question because he didn't know who he was.
#31
Surly Scot 10 months ago
Heard nothing but nice stuff about Sandler....but the company he keeps is another matter.
#35
Wil Whalen 10 months ago
When she was still with Gavin, Bust played Portland ME. Gwen took her kids sightseeing around our city during the day. She had a baseball hat, but people started recognizing her. People didn't mob here, but they did talk to her. She was so nice to everyone. A friend of mine met her that day and told her that No Doubt's music got her through her healing from a horrific car accident. Gwen was really touched and gave her a big hug. Held her hands in her hands while thanking her. Introduced her kids to my friend. They talked for like 10 minutes. Gwen posed for photos. She was gracious to every single person she encountered. She had lunch at a restaurant and introduced herself to the staff, who asked other patrons to not go up to her table. She tipped really well, was great to the staff. She heard another table singing Happy Birthday and she told her server to put their meal on her tab. Then she went over to the table wished the person happy birthday left.
#38
BeesEelsAndPups 10 months ago
That's funny. I met her and her then husband in a TSA line at Dulles Airport in DC. The line was wrapped around the whole building and they were right in front of me in line. At first I didn't recognize who they were, I was just chatting with her husband, and we were all annoyed the line was so long. When he told me his name, I realized who I was talking to. Nick Lachey was pretty cool and down to earth, considering we were all in a stressful situation, and possibly missing our flights. Jessica was a bit more standoffish, but she didn't come off as a jerk. I think if I were her and this was at the height of her fame, I'd probably be worried about getting mobbed or something, and wouldn't want to announce who I was. I honestly talked mostly to her husband though, so I couldn't say.
#39
Nice Beast Ludo 10 months ago
And you were a fan no more. I think it's hilarious when it bites a******s in the a*s later...like when JoJo Siwa called out DJ from full house (Candace Cameron Buren ugh) cause she was totally rude to JoJo and yelled at her when she was a little kid and enamored by her. This was before JoJo was famous wasn't even on dance moms yet but I'm so happy she didn't forget that
#41
Shark Lady 10 months ago
Cilla Black is usually on the list of the worst celebrities, it's not very often you hear of her being lovely.
#43
#45
Brandi Nicole 10 months ago
My mom went to high school with him in Hamburg, AR. He used to come back to town sometimes for the Armadillo Festival and was generally a jackass to everyone.
#48
#49
Casey Payne 10 months ago
What...? This is barely comprehensible. I feel like I am reading some code or a riddle. Something something - Steven Segal - a gardner - luggage - what? "I don't work there but have business there"? OP yells an insult, fights his bodyguards and they run off crying? "Another actor on the film: 1/2"? What does that mean? Was this translated from another language? Was someone cut in half? Did Segal forget his eyeglasses and attack random people? The whole thing sounds like a Mary Sue daydream journal entry. Bonkers delusional. Just like Steven Segal.
#50
Surly Scot 10 months ago
Timberlake's always been a massive A-hole, and it's finally making its way to the surface. His wife seems to sit and shrug everytime he's nasty to someone.
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Kira Okah 10 months ago
All those I have met and worked with at conventions were great. Felt sorry for Peter Mayhew though because most convention centres wouldn't let him take his medicine on site so he would end up working in pain and he didn't want to disappoint fans so he just pushed through it. Tim Russ and Garrett Wáng (bp, that is his name ¬¬) are wonderful people, met them when I was in cosplay and we had a good chat about Star Trek (Tuvok is a fave so absolute dream come true). Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd were a bit run off their feet because it was an anniversary of Back to the Future when I met them but they were amazing.
StarCrossedFriday 10 months ago
What kind of meds was Peter Mayhem on, that people wouldn’t let him take it??
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Deborah 10 months ago
I "met" Nichelle Nichols at a Star Trek con in NYC when they were a pretty new thing. I was waiting in line at her table to buy her record and get an autograph. She passed close to me and without thinking I blurted out "you're so beautiful!" She stopped, laughed, hugged me and said thank you. She was very short, I'm 4'10" and she wasn't much taller. Her security detail was pissed, but she was the one starting the interaction so they just stood by and glared. A few seconds of kindness from an incredible woman. That was in the 80s, it it one of the most treasured memories of my life.
Fraxinus excelsior 10 months ago (edited)
I was extremely lucky to win tickets to the charity premiere in London of Star Wars Attack of the clones. As me and my bf ( at the time) were walking into the cinema we came upon Anthony Daniels signing autographs, so I went up and asked him real politely if he could sign my ticket.he turned around and in a condescending voice said to me"oh no,I'm only signing for the fans" and turned his back on me. That really hurt my feelings and I wanted to say to him why the f was I here if I wasn't a fan? Turns out though, that he's a bit of a twatbasket , Kenny Baker loathed him.
Kira Okah 10 months ago
All those I have met and worked with at conventions were great. Felt sorry for Peter Mayhew though because most convention centres wouldn't let him take his medicine on site so he would end up working in pain and he didn't want to disappoint fans so he just pushed through it. Tim Russ and Garrett Wáng (bp, that is his name ¬¬) are wonderful people, met them when I was in cosplay and we had a good chat about Star Trek (Tuvok is a fave so absolute dream come true). Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd were a bit run off their feet because it was an anniversary of Back to the Future when I met them but they were amazing.
StarCrossedFriday 10 months ago
What kind of meds was Peter Mayhem on, that people wouldn’t let him take it??
Load More Replies... Deborah 10 months ago
I "met" Nichelle Nichols at a Star Trek con in NYC when they were a pretty new thing. I was waiting in line at her table to buy her record and get an autograph. She passed close to me and without thinking I blurted out "you're so beautiful!" She stopped, laughed, hugged me and said thank you. She was very short, I'm 4'10" and she wasn't much taller. Her security detail was pissed, but she was the one starting the interaction so they just stood by and glared. A few seconds of kindness from an incredible woman. That was in the 80s, it it one of the most treasured memories of my life.
Fraxinus excelsior 10 months ago (edited)
I was extremely lucky to win tickets to the charity premiere in London of Star Wars Attack of the clones. As me and my bf ( at the time) were walking into the cinema we came upon Anthony Daniels signing autographs, so I went up and asked him real politely if he could sign my ticket.he turned around and in a condescending voice said to me"oh no,I'm only signing for the fans" and turned his back on me. That really hurt my feelings and I wanted to say to him why the f was I here if I wasn't a fan? Turns out though, that he's a bit of a twatbasket , Kenny Baker loathed him.
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