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Whether consciously or not, we all receive a pretty high volume of exposure to celebrities' personal lives. Think of social media, TV and reality shows, the fashion and beauty industries, you name it, nothing has remained untouched by A-list bravado where celebs transform their fame into brands.

This comes in many forms, from selfie announcements and live videos to reactions and statements in response to current events. It seems like we truly are “all in this together,” as the celebs kept convincing us during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. But are we really? In order to find out more about celebrity culture that, in spite of our turbulent times, seems to be thriving, we spoke with David Schmid, an Associate Professor of English at University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences. So scroll down to see the insights he shared about it.

Below is an entertaining list with some of the lesser-known and very random facts about celebrities that make you wonder who these people are, that so many of us aspire to be like.

#1

Monica Lewinsky Is Very Funny; She's Always Making Jokes Like This On Twitter

Monica Lewinsky Is Very Funny; She's Always Making Jokes Like This On Twitter

MonicaLewinsky Report

To find out more about why people are so fascinated with celebrity culture and when it becomes too much, we reached out to Professor David Schmid, who is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Schmid has published on a variety of subjects, including the book "Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture."

When asked why people are so fascinated with celebrities, Dr. Schmid told us that it’s “partly because our culture teaches us, both implicitly and explicitly, that celebrities are role models and we should strive to be like them. They are more attractive and successful than us, not to mention a lot wealthier, and so we should want to be like them.”

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    #2

    Natalie Portman Has Had Papers Published In Two Scientific Journals

    Natalie Portman Has Had Papers Published In Two Scientific Journals

    Her high school paper, “A Simple Method to Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar,” was published in the Journal of Chemical Education, and while at Harvard, she co-authored a study called “Frontal Lobe Activation during Object Permanence: Data from Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.”

    natalieportman Report

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    Otter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guitar player Brian May had a paper based on his astrophysics PhD research published while Queen was topping the charts in the late 1970s, and wrote a version for "Nature" magazine. There are actually a lot of people who left science for showbiz, and made big bucks, including Mayim Bialyk and Dolph Lundgren. Yes, Dolph Lundgren left his Fulbright Scholarship studies in chemical engineering at MIT to make action movies.

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    #3

    Helen Mirren At 25 And 70

    Helen Mirren At 25 And 70

    Sofargonept2 Report

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    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stunning then, stunning now. She has grown old gracefully.

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    #4

    The Obamas Didn’t Pay Off Student Loans Until They Were In Their 40s

    The Obamas Didn’t Pay Off Student Loans Until They Were In Their 40s

    Pete Souza Report

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    Mitchell
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because they didn’t have rich daddies to smooth their path and open doors. Love these two.

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    The professor explained further: “At the same time, we realize celebrities are ordinary people (especially when they mess up, go through a divorce, have problems with drink and drugs, etc.), and so part of our fascination with them derives from this contradiction: they are both exceptional and ordinary.”

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    During the pandemic, we spent more time on social media than ever, and that definitely increased our level of engagement with celebrities, Dr. Schmid argues. “The internet fosters a sense of intimacy with celebrities that we find very appealing; we feel like we share in their everyday lives and feel part of a community of people who also follow celebrities. This sharing and community are powerfully attractive forces in a culture where anxiety and isolation impact so many people,” he explained and added that celebrities compensate for the unsatisfactory aspects of our own lives.

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    #5

    During The Filming Of The Avengers Robert Downey Jr Hid Snacks Everywhere

    During The Filming Of The Avengers Robert Downey Jr Hid Snacks Everywhere

    The food he kept offering people in the movie was the actor's own personal stash - it wasn't written into the script, the actor just got hungry and would pull out food. The crew couldn't keep up with all his hiding places, so they finally gave in and let him do it.

    NoApollonia , Omaze Report

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I read that the scene where he eats the cheeseburger in Iron Man 1 came from this

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    #6

    This Was Danny Devito's First Tweet

    This Was Danny Devito's First Tweet

    dannydevito Report

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    Quaumsy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is true for most people over 60(minus the nuts on fire bit)

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    #7

    This Is What Morgan Freeman Looked Like When He Was A Teenager

    This Is What Morgan Freeman Looked Like When He Was A Teenager

    morganfreeman Report

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    For those who’re wondering if it’s possible to become too invested in the lives of famous people, in his opinion, Dr. Schmid confirmed that’s possible. “Everyone's familiar with the consequences of toxic fandom, including cyberbullying and even turning on your favorite celebrity when they disappoint or 'betray' you in some way.”

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    “Sometimes, our expectations of celebrities become unrealistic, and when that happens we can easily cross over from reality to fantasy, with all kinds of potential negative consequences,” the professor concluded.

    #8

    Katy Perry's Cat Was Named Kitty Purry

    Katy Perry's Cat Was Named Kitty Purry

    katyperry Report

    #9

    Taylor Swift Has A Framed Picture Of Kanye West Interrupting Her At The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards In Her Living Room. It's Captioned, "Life Is Full Of Little Interruptions"

    Taylor Swift Has A Framed Picture Of Kanye West Interrupting Her At The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards In Her Living Room. It's Captioned, "Life Is Full Of Little Interruptions"

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    #10

    Daniel Radcliffe Broke Over 80 Wands While Filming The Harry Potter Movies Because He Used Them As Drumsticks

    Daniel Radcliffe Broke Over 80 Wands While Filming The Harry Potter Movies Because He Used Them As Drumsticks

    Warner Bros Report

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    #11

    Steve Buscemi Used To Be A Firefighter

    Steve Buscemi Used To Be A Firefighter

    wiki , wiki Report

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    Otter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone knows the story about 9/11, right? He was in NYC, and went back to his old unit to help out. Worked his ass off for the duration of the crisis.

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    #12

    Here's What Jason Momoa Looked Like In His 20s

    Here's What Jason Momoa Looked Like In His 20s

    samanthahazard Report

    #14

    Actor Woody Harrelson’s Dad Was A Hitman

    Actor Woody Harrelson’s Dad Was A Hitman

    Charles Voyde Harrelson (July 23, 1938 – March 15, 2007) was an American hitman and organized crime figure who was convicted of assassinating federal judge John H. Wood Jr., the first federal judge to be assassinated in the 20th century

    Public Domain , Houston Police Department Report

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    #16

    Ths Is Brad Pitt's Brother, Doug Pitt

    Ths Is Brad Pitt's Brother, Doug Pitt

    Us Weekly Report

    #17

    Leonardo Dicaprio's Mom Was Looking At A Leonardo Da Vinci Painting In A Museum In Italy When Leo First Kicked. That's Why He's Named Leonardo

    Leonardo Dicaprio's Mom Was Looking At A Leonardo Da Vinci Painting In A Museum In Italy When Leo First Kicked. That's Why He's Named Leonardo

    wiki Report

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    MyOpinionHasBeenServed
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a sewing teacher refuse to believe that's his real name. She even looked offended lol.

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    #18

    Nicole Kidman's Hair Is Naturally This Curly

    Nicole Kidman's Hair Is Naturally This Curly

    Arab_Cherub Report

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    #19

    When Lady Gaga Went To NYU, A Group Of Students Started A "Stefani Germanotta, You Will Never Be Famous" Facebook Group

    When Lady Gaga Went To NYU, A Group Of Students Started A "Stefani Germanotta, You Will Never Be Famous" Facebook Group

    Via thesun.co.uk Report

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    #20

    Hugh Jackman Performed At Children's Birthday Parties As Coco The Clown

    Hugh Jackman Performed At Children's Birthday Parties As Coco The Clown

    thehughjackman Report

    #21

    Bill Murray Was Arrested When He Was 20 For Trying To Bring 10 Pounds Of Marijuana On A Plane

    Bill Murray Was Arrested When He Was 20 For Trying To Bring 10 Pounds Of Marijuana On A Plane

    wiki Report

    #22

    Ricky Gervais - Young And Old

    Ricky Gervais - Young And Old

    gripes23q Report

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    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ricky Gervais has a stab at a pop career. He wanted to be David Bowie. Check out Seona Dancing.

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    #23

    The Weirdest Thing Daniel Radcliffe Ever Had To Do To Prepare For A Role Was Wax His Butt

    The Weirdest Thing Daniel Radcliffe Ever Had To Do To Prepare For A Role Was Wax His Butt

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    Mad Dragon
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He had a scene in Equus where he was completely nude, I assume that’s why.

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    #24

    Well, Apparently He Retired At 19 With $40 Million In The Bank

    Well, Apparently He Retired At 19 With $40 Million In The Bank

    frankiemuniz Report

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    Paul Davis
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should have included the original post from the neckbeard that prompted that great response. Without context this makes Frankie look like a douche.

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    #25

    Christopher Walken's Old Friends Called Him Ronnie. His Birth Name Is Ronald

    Christopher Walken's Old Friends Called Him Ronnie. His Birth Name Is Ronald

    wiki Report

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    #26

    Lorde Has A "Secret" Onion Ring Account Where She Reviews Onion Rings

    Lorde Has A "Secret" Onion Ring Account Where She Reviews Onion Rings

    Ah, the fish and chip shop ring. Humble, honest. Did I miss the crunch of a true battered ring biting into this? Perhaps. But it was perfectly seasoned, and brought joy. 3.8/5.

    onionringsworldwide Report

    #27

    Matthew Perry Is Missing Part Of His Middle Finger

    Matthew Perry Is Missing Part Of His Middle Finger

    Ollindberg Report

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    Autumn
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How did I never notice this? Why didn't they make Monica accidently chop off part of his finger rather than his toe?

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    #28

    After He Didn't Make The Cut For The Backstreet Boys, Chris Kirkpatrick Was The Founding Member Of N'Sync

    After He Didn't Make The Cut For The Backstreet Boys, Chris Kirkpatrick Was The Founding Member Of N'Sync

    Chris Kirkpatrick Report

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    Pheolei
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like BSB didn't want it that way, but for NYSNC he was like it's gonna be me

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    #29

    Dennis Rodman Has 28 Siblings

    Dennis Rodman Has 28 Siblings

    reddit Report

    #30

    Elvis Presley Was Actually A Blond

    Elvis Presley Was Actually A Blond

    lvis Presley Report

    #31

    Jennifer Lawrence Has H2o Tattooed On Her Hand To Remind Her To Drink More Water

    Jennifer Lawrence Has H2o Tattooed On Her Hand To Remind Her To Drink More Water

    SteadyRed Report

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    #32

    Tom Cruise Has A Tooth That Sits Directly In The Middle Of His Face. Once You See It, You'll Never Un-See It

    Tom Cruise Has A Tooth That Sits Directly In The Middle Of His Face. Once You See It, You'll Never Un-See It

    imgur Report

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    David K
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And he also has a black line in the middle of his face which I find quite fascinating.

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    #33

    Before Going Solo, Britney Spears Was In An All-Female Group Called Innosense

    Before Going Solo, Britney Spears Was In An All-Female Group Called Innosense

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    #34

    This Is What Stevie From Malcolm In The Middle Looks Like Today

    This Is What Stevie From Malcolm In The Middle Looks Like Today

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    Eppe
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That............ is............. awesome...............

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    #35

    Limp Bizkit Were Originally Going To Be Called Blood Fart

    Limp Bizkit Were Originally Going To Be Called Blood Fart

    Limp_Bizkit Report

    Note: this post originally had 73 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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