Pictures with celebrities

The thought of wanting or trying to do this is completely foreign to me.  What's the appeal?

Totally.

Except I'd really like to hear someone who likes to do this explain the appeal, and I thought it might get missed in that thread.  The celebrity fascination thing is beyond me.  I guess I think if I really liked one of them a lot, I would want to give them their space, as I'm guessing it's a complete drag to be hounded everywhere.

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by DanielG

Originally posted by switch

The thought of wanting or trying to do this is completely foreign to me.  What's the appeal?

(Psst: wrong thread, your comment belongs in the "things others find appealing" thread )

Totally.

Except I'd really like to hear someone who likes to do this explain the appeal, and I thought it might get missed in that thread.  The celebrity fascination thing is beyond me.  I guess I think if I really liked one of them a lot, I would want to give them their space, as I'm guessing it's a complete drag to be hounded everywhere.

I get both sides of it.

There are some celebrities I have no desire to meet. But others, mostly musicians, their work has had an impact on my life and I have mad respect for them as human beings. Those are the kind of people who it would just be cool to shake hands with and see what they're like beyond the makeup, lights and entourage.

I met Blake Shelton Monday night - he was funny, kind, generous and welcoming. Even only being a new/mediocre fan I really enjoyed the experience of meeting him in person. Different strokes I guess.

 OMG to be THAT CLOSE to Hugh Jackman, THAT is the appeal!!!!

just kidding really, but IF I ran into a celerity I liked I think it would be cool to have a pic to remember it by- just depends on how intrusive it would be if I would actually do it- not many clebs hanging out in these parts :-)

Okay, for me this totally depends on the definition of "celebrity".

Movie stars? Eh... they're just popcorn salesmen (or saleswomen).

Sports stars? Mostly overpaid derelicts. With overbearing egos to boot.

Musicians? Sure, there are a few I'd love to sit down with over lunch, but otherwise I'd rather hear them PLAY than have a photo with them.

But to your question -- If you're not both in the picture as the main subjects, then I say no.

I don't really get it either.  I have the opportunity being in Vegas.  Can't recall half the random encounters I had.  IF I get a picture, it purely for humor.  Charles Barkley was sitting next to me in a club once, struck up a conversation, and got a shot because I was TALLER than him.  Kind of funny.

Ran in to Ron Jeremy at some poker tournament.  HAD to grab that pic just because of who it was.  Too funny to pass up.

The wife?  Even more so.  Speaking of Hugh Jackman, he gave her a kiss while filming the pilot to some terrible tv show viva Laughlin or something.  Lasted one episode.  Worked on a music video with Katie Parry.  Struck up conversations with Tiger Woods and Bono of U2.  It goes on and on.  But no pics.  Most recently, she worked the Billboard music awards and had access to a lot of the celebs.

Personally, I like to just treat them as normal people and not react, OR, if it's someone I particularly like, just tell them I like their work and crack a joke or something.  Maybe shake their hand.  Ran in to a lot of UFC fighters and Ben Rothlesburger at a gym once.  Again, just laugh a bit and move on.  Just like anyone else.

I think there are few people that it would be impressive to take a photo with.  Mostly world leaders or people that are really exceptional.  Bush, Obama, LeBron James, Micheal Jordon, Peyton Manning, Muhammad Ali.

My wife got a picture with Neil Armstrong.  Not THAT I was jealous of.  That's what I'm talking about when it has to be someone unique/special.

No. 

Could I understand meeting them randomly and having a genuine conversation with them about mutual interests and enjoying that encounter, yes.

Getting my picture taken with a celebrity, no.  Why? As a reminder to me? To have a collection of pics with me with celebrities? To be able to say "I met so and so"--hell no. 

I have met a dozen or so famous people--not because I sought them out, it was just life circumstances (tending bar, waiting tables, at a show, etc)--and I never asked for an autograph or got a pic.  In those instances my reaction was to give them as much space as possible as I imagined that is what I would want--respect and privacy. 

This is tricky because I don't want to tear down what the OP likes-everybody has their own thing and I'm sure there are lots of things that I do that the OP would think are dumb--but to me, getting my picture taken with a perfect stranger just because they're a celebrity seems weird. 

I originally asked the question because I was wondering if it was some sort of challenge or something--sort of like peak bagging, only celebrity "bagging".

Yep, you nailed it dude, I have no capacity for empathy. 

dp

How is it that we haven't had a single actual picture yet?

(Me & Princess Diana 2.jpg)

I appreciate your 'no big thing' attitude about it, Jim, and I totally get it in most cases.  However, I have to say that Charles Barkley (who my last dog was named after) and Bono are at the very top of my celebrity encounter wish list.  I'm envious!