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Article created by: Monika Pašukonytė

Years ago, when I was working as a tennis journalist, I had the opportunity to attend press conferences with the world's top tennis stars, from Roger Federer and Serena Williams to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. They were all impeccably polite and sweet, but I always wondered: what are celebrities like in everyday life, not when hundreds of cameras are pointed at them?

Apparently, I'm not the only one interested in this question. So today's selection of stories is actually dedicated to famous people from various spheres of life who, during their rise to fame, haven't lost their humanity at all.

More info: Reddit

#1

Glenn Close in a TV interview setting, showcasing genuine fan-celeb encounter moments with warm lighting and colorful background. I used to work in Vegas and met lots of celebs 2002 - 2006ish. However - my best story is a hometown one.

When 101 Dalmatians came out (Glenn Close / Jeff Daniels) - they did a movie premiere in my hometown in MI. JD is from MI - and I’m not sure how it all happened - but it did.

Anyways, the day before the premier - Glenn Close went shopping in my the store my Mom worked at. My Mom helped her buy some jeans and T-shirts. My Mom mentioned how excited her 14 year old daughter was for the movie because we had two Dalmatians at home - and to say I was obsessed- would be an understatement.

Well - about an hour later - Glenn’s assistant dropped of 4 premier passes for my Mom to take the family.

We got to get all fancy and go to a movie premier. I got to take pictures with Pongo and Perdita - and the rest of the cast.

Best childhood moment ever.

Delilah_Moon , The Jonathan Ross Show Report

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    #2

    Female celebrity with pink hair speaking into a microphone during a SiriusXM radio interview, showing genuine fan-celeb interaction. I met Pink when i worked at sirius xm. she was the nicest woman i may have ever met to this day. we had a lot of time to talk, and most artists/celebrities i met either would ignore me or talk about themselves, but she genuinely wanted to get to know me — my name, where i was from, about my parents. when she left, she wished me good luck with the rest of my life and that she hoped our paths would cross again. they haven’t. but i will never forget this.

    skoolgirlq , P!NK Report

    #3

    Actor sitting at a table holding a perfume bottle, representing sweet and genuine fan-celeb encounters with celebrities. Channing Tatum told me he liked my cardigan and I literally did the awkward “thanks, it has pockets” AND DID A TWIRL.

    I hate social anxiety 😭.

    WhatTheFrenchToast33 , GQ Report

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    #4

    Elderly woman smiling warmly during an interview, showcasing genuine fan-celeb encounter moments and celebrity kindness. My wife and I had dinner with Betty White one night in the late 90's, at a meeting of a charitable group she was involved in. She was even more wonderful in person than you would have imagined.

    EpiZirco , Pioneers of Television Report

    #5

    Actor with mustache in a suit and purple tie during a fan-celebrity encounter on a late-night talk show set. I met Nick Offerman who plays Ron Swanson from Parks & Rec. I was so nervous that I blurted out “You look a lot like the guy who plays Ron Swanson on Parks & Rec” and he responded deadpan “I’d like to think I’m a lot better looking than that guy” and as he saw my face go bright red and I was stammering “Oh I’m so sorry!”, he laughed and said “Just kidding it is me”

    rlm236 , Team Coco Report

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    #6

    Man in blue plaid shirt sharing a genuine fan-celeb encounter while seated in a modern home library setting. The only tweet I ever tweeted was about David Mitchell being on every programme I’d watched that evening, he replied saying “I can only apologise.” I loved that lol watched him a lot as a kid.

    Exciting-Scheme-4918 , Waterstones Report

    #7

    Celeb in a checked blazer speaking into a microphone, showing a genuine and sweet fan-celeb encounter moment. Cate Blanchett. A family friend was her personal assistant for a number of years. Hilarious, kind, thoughtful, generous, charming. She only had the best words to describe working for her and said it was an incredible experience.

    harmoniousradiance , Fashion Neurosis Report

    #8

    Musician with long curly hair in a patterned shirt, seated with musical instruments in the background, showing genuine fan-celeb vibe. I met Weird Al Yankovic about 2 decades ago. Such a nice, chill & unassuming person. We had a small conversation about his visit to Alaska, and I let him know that a Weird Al boxed set would b incredible for us fans.

    New-Advantage2813 , GQ Report

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    #9

    Smiling celebrity in a dark suit sharing a genuine fan-celeb encounter on a late-night talk show set. I once saw Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston in a restaurant on my 16th birthday. Made eye contact with Tom and tripped down a step. 10/10 birthday.

    bab_101 , Jimmy Kimmel Live Report

    #10

    Actor wearing a colorful floral shirt talking on a late-night talk show about sweet and genuine fan-celeb encounters. Saw Adam Sandler at the movies (school of Rock) and asked him to come say hi to our daughter and he did! She was mortified I did that so he gently shook her shoulders and gave her raspberries. He was so awesome!

    Stickyfynger , The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Report

    #11

    Steve Carell in a late-night talk show setting, sharing genuine fan-celeb encounter stories with a calm demeanor. Steve Carrell! I've heard several industry people say he is a very kind man and totally professional and respectful on set. Mandy Kailing described him as the nicest person she has worked with in Hollywood. I also noticed in interviews like Howard Stern etc. he never goes for the "easy laugh" of making fun of his wife or talking about women in a vulgar way. He always talks about how lucky he is to have such a smart, supportive wife and great family.

    TragicAlmond , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTbxSCOWGI Report

    #12

    Actor seated against a blue background, sharing a genuine fan-celeb encounter in a casual black shirt. Jensen Ackles is super sweet and respectful. His wife, not so much.

    David Tennant is the nicest man I’ve ever met, to absolutely everyone around him. Made his coffee order a few times and he has time for everyone who approaches him.

    OopsWhoopsieDaisy , GQ Report

    #13

    Woman in gray blazer and gold necklace on a talk show, representing sweet and genuine fan-celeb encounters with celebrities. Eva Longoria is a class act. I’ve seen her at a lot of Special Olympics Texas games and events (her older sister used to participate) incognito but she doesn’t like to have her picture taken there because “this isn’t about me.”

    I also worked with Matt Lillard once and, after a long night I said I was going to take the train home and he stuck $20 in my purse so I would take a cab instead. Super nice guy who genuinely loves all the Scooby Doo stuff.

    littlemissemperor , Good Morning America Report

    #14

    Man wearing glasses and a white sweater standing indoors near a window, illustrating sweet fan-celeb encounters. Daniel Levy is a sweetheart. I only expected him to say “hi nice to meet you”....and done. But nope! He asked me questions and just kept conversation going-all while I was trying to keep my composure and remember how to talk. Genuine and so so sweet. And he also has the best skin 🤩.

    PajaritoPajarito , Vogue Report

    #15

    Actor in a gray suit and blue tie smiling during a genuine fan-celeb encounter on a late-night talk show set. John Mulaney assuring me it’s okay that i accidentally interrupted his conversation to speak to him because he “didn’t feel like continuing with that conversation anyway”.

    bostonsophia13 , Jimmy Kimmel Live Report

    #16

    Older woman celebrity with white hair sitting on a brown leather couch during a genuine fan-celeb encounter interview. Jessica Lange is from the city next to my hometown, so everyone I know (except me) has met her and said she’s kind & a very generous tipper, but really lowkey and quiet. My dad ran track with her brother in college and has said nothing but good things about when he met her in the 70s!

    brittykitty89 , STV News Report

    #17

    Reba McEntire in a studio interview, wearing a black jacket and silver top, sharing genuine fan-celeb encounter stories. Reba McEntire was insanely kind. Ran into her multiple time over a vacation and she recognized my dad and I each time and always stopped for a quick chat.

    Tom Hanks - need I say more? The dude is a legend for a reason.

    Oleysa Rulin - lesser known but she played Kelsey the pianist in high school musical. I got to work with her for a few jobs and she is SO genuine, kind and grateful. She followed me on Instagram and still likes and DMs me (I am literally a nobody lol) all around class act.

    Rumer Willis - very kind, seemed shy but left a good impression.

    Lamorne Morris - (Winston from new girl) met him at a party he was hilarious and very nice/respectful to all.

    KaiserHawaii , The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Report

    #18

    Man speaking into a microphone outdoors, sharing a sweet and genuine fan-celeb encounter in a casual setting. Remember Adrian Grenier? He and I used to frequent the same diner for brunch during a 2 month stint when I lived in LA in the 00s. He was always leaving when I’d arrive, and he’d hold the door open for me. I’d say thanks, and he did a playful little bow to me each time. It was cute.

    anon , Like a Farmer Podcast Report

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    #19

    Taylor Swift speaking in a patterned dress during a late-night talk show, illustrating genuine fan-celeb encounters. my cousin works as a waitress, she said Taylor Swift was incredibly nice and made conversation and tipped double the price of the meal, that's the reason I'm a stan today!

    who-am-i-anyway-ew , The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Report

    #20

    Middle-aged man in a beige blazer and blue shirt during an interview, illustrating genuine fan-celeb encounters. Richard Alva Cavett helped me change a tire beside a highway in Greenwood, MS during my younger years. He was so nice. His wife was from Greenwood and they were in town visiting her family.

    99titan , The D Cavett Show Report

    #21

    Actress Priyanka Chopra in a talk show setting, sharing a genuine fan-celeb encounter during an evening interview. I once stupidly got my 3 wisdoms out and immediately hopped onto a 17 hour flight. While people were still boarding and I was sat in my seat, my mouth started to bleed and I texted my Dentist in a panic. He told me to send him a selfie of my mouth immediately. As I positioned the camera towards my face and tried zooming in to the BACK of my mouth, a husky voice from behind me sternly said "Excuse me no photos please".

    I turned around slowly with blood slowly trickling out of my mouth to try and explain myself, only to see a woman looking at me like 😡 and as soon as she registered my bloodied face she went 😲😩👀😲😲. I couldn't speak because blood was literally filling my mouth - a single drop of blood trickled down my chin - I tried to speak but a gentle but horrifying little gurgle escaped my mouth, so I panicked and made an "I'm sorry" gesture - she looked at me like I was INSANE (I get it) - and then I took my selfie hunched over like a drunk Quasimodo. The flash went off too 🤦

    And that's the story of how I accidentally scared the bejeesus out of Priyanka Chopra.

    anon , The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Report

    #22

    Three musicians on stage during a fan-celeb encounter event, sharing stories and engaging with the audience. Bad Company was doing a concert and stayed at our hotel. I was the switchboard operator. We weren’t allowed to use the programmed wake up calls - our owner wanted us to do them personally. So, without knowing it was them, I gave them my normal wake up call.

    A little bit later, I was called to the front desk and there they were. They wanted to “meet the lady with the beautiful voice who gave them their call that morning.” I got to chat with them for a few minutes. To this day, I remember just how nice the whole band was.

    LadyHavoc97 , Recording Academy / GRAMMYs Report

    #23

    Actress in a plaid jacket sharing a genuine fan-celeb encounter during a TV interview about sweet celebrity moments. I worked at a very popular coffee shop in Santa Barbara in college and volunteered at a celebrity golf tournament in high school so I've had a ton of celeb interactions over the years. The nicest for sure were Bill Murray, Drew Barrymore, Oprah, Rob Lowe, Paul Walker, Seth Green, Katy Perry, Jeff Bridges, and Don Cheadle (the king of nice). All were good tippers, very polite, talkative, and just seemed like normal people. I will always be a huge Don Cheadle fan because of our interaction. Just the sweetest soul and so kind!

    gallegod__ , The Drew Barrymore Show Report

    #24

    Male celebrity playing acoustic guitar passionately on stage during a sweet and genuine fan-celeb encounter. Many years ago my brother worked for Clapton. Playing a gig at the Phiharmonic Hall in Liverpool. We all went back to the hotel where they were staying and had the usual [fun]. All except Eric. He was in his room [intoxicated] practicing on his guitar. Around 3am Eric was hungry. The hotel had shut up shop for the night. My brother asked me if there was anywhere open to eat. I said Chinatown. I wasn’t drinking so Eric, my brother and some of the band all jammed into my Ford Cortina and we went for a Chinese meal. This was about 1973 ish. That’s my claim to fame.

    gegorb , Eric Clapton Report

    #25

    Older male celebrity in a brown blazer and black shirt during a TV interview showcasing genuine fan-celeb encounters. I met Pierce Brosnan when I was 11 and he let me know my shoes were untied.

    youtubehistorian , The Jonathan Ross Show Report

    #26

    Celebrity sitting on a blue chair in a dark suit, sharing a genuine fan-celeb encounter in an informal interview setting. Not a fan but I was walking up to RDJ and tripped and fell face first on the pavement. He watched me scared with his hand reached out and then was like “you ok? 😟”

    There’s a video of it somewhere.

    controlledwithcheese , Variety Report

    #27

    Kim Kardashian speaking into a microphone during a podcast episode about genuine fan-celeb encounters and celebrity kindness. Kim Kardashian is supposedly wonderful, incredibly respectful and professional.

    clp1234567 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I482TBLEzc Report