The Advantages & Disadvantages of Being Famous

It might sound like a dream to become famous and have the world at your fingertips. However, when a person is famous, he is recognized virtually everywhere he goes, which means he has no privacy. He can be followed into restrooms, bothered when trying to eat in public, interrupted when engaging with his family and asked for autographs by celebrity hounds.

Stalkers

• Fame can be treacherous. Stalkers, who are individuals that try to get close to a person, are a real threat to famous people. The stalker becomes fixated on the famous person and is often delusional, thinking that he and the person have a relationship. The stalker follows the person, sends her letters, calls her and camps outside her home. He may even break into her home, steal her property, issue threats and, at worst, injure or kill her.

Lack of Privacy

• Everything that goes on in the famous person's life, including births, deaths, illnesses and divorces, is fodder for the tabloids. If the individual stumbles, whether figuratively or literally, speculation about him will end up on TV, on the Internet or the front page of the tabloids. If he's arrested, the famous person's mug shot is flashed around the world so everyone can see him in his moment of humiliation.

Perks

• Fame often comes hand-in-hand with money, although not all famous people have money. There are other perks, including not having to wait in line; getting the best tables in a restaurant and the penthouse suite in a hotel; and the adoration, love and attention of the public. Fame brings with it fanfare, awesome material things such as homes and cars, and the freedom and money to travel.

Infamy

• You can become famous for doing something really bad or stupid. These people are considered infamous rather than famous, and may be generally reviled rather than adored.

Celebrity Children

• Raising children in the spotlight is difficult, both for the famous and for their children. Celebrity children have struggled with drug and alcohol issues and even depression, leading to suicide. Growing up in front of the world isn't easy.

Farrah Fawcett

• The late Farrah Fawcett's medical records were turned over to the tabloids by a hospital employee, who was found out and fired. This prompted Fawcett to publicly denounce invasion of privacy, explaining how painful it is to have your personal information exposed to the world and how violated she felt.

Different Approaches

• Some famous people can't cope with the outcome of being famous and resort to self medicating, including drugs and alcohol. Others, like Howard Hughes, become complete recluses. Still others seem to take fame in stride and strike an even balance between their public and personal lives.