(Newswire.net — June 24, 2019) —
Famous people are regular people who’ve had their faces plastered on movie screens, red carpet shots, the front of Sports Illustrated or on buses. Most of them aren’t comfortable around anyone who grows too inquisitive or asks a lot of questions — the same things that freak out other people. So, for those attending autograph signing events and celebrity appearances, here are four essential things fans should know before heading out to meet someone famous.
Don’t Dwell on Their Fame
Don’t dwell on how the person became famous. If someone is a big fan, this may be the hardest thing to get past. For example, don’t kick off a conversation with how much you love a celebrity’s last hit single, blockbuster or NY Times bestseller — that quickly relegates one to fan status. It’s better to steer the conversation away from their fame. With a little research, commonalities can be found. Fans can bring up recent vacations the celebrity has taken, especially destinations the fan has also visited.
Avoid Questions They’ve Been Asked Many Times
Try not to query celebrities about what it’s like to work with more famous actors, sports heroes or international celebrities. This is just rude, no matter how good the intentions are. These questions have also been asked many times before, so they aren’t a good way to stand out in a pack.
Don’t Make Celebrities the Only Focus
In the movie Hitch, Kevin James plays a man trying to date a woman out of his league. Hitch, Will Smith plays James’ relationship coach, who tells James to focus on the women’s best friend. That strategy worked for Jame’s character because the woman was able to have a conversation with him that didn’t involve James’ obsession with her. When meeting a celebrity, talk about something other than why they’re famous for a more meaningful relationship.
Don’t Be Manipulative
Insincerity is easily noticed. For those whose work brings them into regular contact with celebrities, it’s important to have topics of conversation ready or to read a situation appropriately. One radio station manager relates how he and his wife were invited for dinner at Amy Grant’s house. Grant is a famous singer, but the station manager and his wife talked about universal topics, kids and golf, and had a pleasant evening.
Whether organizing an event with sports motivational speakers or running into celebrities on the street, following a certain protocol can go a long way in leaving a lasting impression.