When you are warned not to look at or speak to a celebrity

Didn't Faye Dunaway do this?

Why on earth did Laurie put up with this?

[quote] I entered that Nelsan Ellis, the star of "True Blood" (which was airing at the time) was there

How did he ever find time in his busy True Blood schedule to attend a party?

My experience has been that it's the extremely insecure celebrities (usually from poorer backgrounds) who insist on this: J-Lo, Sylvester Stallone, Diana Ross, Faye Dunaway. They do it as a way to exert control or power because they're afraid it will be taken away from them.

Nathan Lane was appearing at the publishing industry’s Book Expo to promote his children’s book. He was waiting in the back of our company conference room to go out onto the show floor at the scheduled time. We lowly employees were told by his book publicist not to approach him or look at him.

Nevermind, that many of us were sales reps who had the responsibility to push his book on our customers.

[quote]When you are warned not to look at or speak to a celebrity

I consider it my lucky day.

I was in an elevator in New Mexico and Jimmy Smits who was appearing at a bar convention got on. I said nothing and he turned to his friend and said, "I feel so invisible.: Damn straight.

Tina Fey wouldn’t allow any local media around her when she appeared at her alma mater, UVA. Even the NBC station.

When man look at me, I hide my privets.

It ain't right.

Too soon, r10

I've never had this experience (the only parties I've been to with celebrities present were promotional/charity events where interacting with the riff-raff was the whole point).

To be fair, Nelsan Ellis was extremely fragile. He wore a parka with the hood up at the party, and seemed quite anxious--I learned afterwards from a friend at the party that he was not then out to his homophobic family (even though he was playing an extremely queeny gay character on "True Blood"). And of course he later committed suicide.

J-Lo. As if.

I completely understand this. Imagine a life where everyone stares at you.

I sure as hell wouldn't want to look at or interact with Frank Zappa.

R8 that's a different thread.

Reps do this sometimes and often the celebrities have no idea that they're doing it.

An Ex of mine was taken along to Barbra Streisands birthday party in the 80ies. He was an ignorant twink at the time and could only remember a few of the stars present. Post stroke Bette Davis, Liz Taylor and Donna Summer were the only people he remembered.

His friend told him beforehand that under no circumstance was he to mention any of the celebs movies, records to them ore give them compliments on their work.

That´s all i got.

Was at a ASPCA fundraiser in Brentwood. We were cautioned not interact with the celebs. George Clooney and his wraith like wife spotted our Portuguese water dog and made a beeline towards us. We had a brief chat about Portuguese water dogs. As we were leaving one of the organizers an uptight martinet came screeching "You were told not to accost the VIP's! " Pointing to our dog I told him "Talk to Yentl she understands bitch."

It’s normally insecure PA’s and PRs that tell people this, many ‘celebs’ doesn’t care.

Like everyone else they can make it quite clear when they don’t want to talk to someone.

Tom Cruise: Minority Report. All of us extras received memo's about not looking at nor speaking to TC. If he looked in our direction we were to gaze at the floor or face a wall if he walked past.

[quote] I completely understand this. Imagine a life where everyone stares at you.

It's so awful. And not one of these people ever asked to be famous!

I don't think anyone was staring at Lou Reed r15

If I'm not getting paid, I don't take orders. I'll look where I want and say hi to whomever I please.

[quote] VIP’s

[quote] PA’s

[quote] memo’s

Part of me understands this as it can be unnerving to be stared at a lot - but the other part of me goes - well THAT'S FAME! That's what you wanted - money and fame!

It gives you all sorts of privileges that no one else gets - so sorry if you become a bit uncomfortable. That's the price you pay.

I don't recall any stars of the past doing this shit. Seems like it's the last 20 years.

Seems like any star that would request this of an establishment should also forfeit any other special treatment (unless it's a paid gig).

I went to an Angelina Jolie movie a few years ago and her assistant came out before the movie started and told us to avert our eyes when Ms Jolie was onscreen. I did it but it affected my filmic experience.

^^^ obvious EST.

No one goes to Angelina Jolie movies!

There were about a half dozen of us in a large holding area at an event (not a concert) and Michael Jackson was the Guest of honor. His PR person and a security guard came through and very officiously told us we were not to speak to him, look at him, or approach him in any way. If fact we were encouraged to move to the other side of this large room and at all times remain opposite from him. Well, my momma was my plus one and she didn't appreciate that. There was a gallery of posters and photos of Black musical groups and solo artists from the 50's and 60's and She was look9ing at them. Michael came over to the wall and was also looking at them. All of a sudden in her most authoritative "Mother" voice she said, "Michael, come here!" and he made a beeline for my momma! LOL! Then she said, "now I know who these are, but I cannot remember the names of this group. Do you have any idea who they are? " He smiled beautifully and warmly nodded, "Oh, yes. " and he began naming them and what they were famous for. His knowledge was encycopedic. Mam smiled back warmly and said, "Thank you, sweetie," and then she walked away a gave him privacy. And NOTHING HAPPENED. No lightning strikes or earthquakes.

Ms. LuPone supposedly demanded no gazing when she was in Anything Goes.

Madonna and Lady Gaga. One of my staff had to go to their homes and notarize documents. She was kept waiting for hours then escorted into the "presence" instructed not to talk, not to look just sign and leave. If I had known I would have told them to fuck off and get your notary at Walgreens. On the other hand Helen Mirren was a delight, answered the door in her sweats with no make up. My staff member bowed and curtsied to "Milady". Helen doubled over in laughter.

[quote] Nathan Lane was appearing at the publishing industry’s Book Expo to promote his children’s book. He was waiting in the back of our company conference room to go out onto the show floor at the scheduled time. We lowly employees were told by his book publicist not to approach him or look at him.

Thank God, or otherwise his wild superfans among you might have gone nuts. It would have been like the Beatles at Shea Stadium!

Yassssss!!!

I do enjoy the joke about this in Wicked. When Fiyero arrives at Shiz the P.A. announcement asks students to "give him a warm welcome, without making direct eye contact".

He was also in the 1997 classic Mouse Hunt, r33.