Have you noticed any changes in your close relationships since becoming famous? Have you been accused by others of treating them differently? Are there any notable personality changes that you’ve undergone?
When you are unable to keep up these habits, there is a much higher risk of getting swept up in negative possibilities of fame, like addiction, self-doubt, and wanderlust. [1] X Research source Especially if you are young and still in school, let your fame be another element of your life rather than the only thing you focus on. [2] X Research source Even if you’re excited and gratified about your success, balance in your life will keep you charged and able to be a good role model in the long run.
Accept that people will have radically different opinions on your work and your character, and that this is the just the reality of being famous. Cultivate acceptance by laughing off criticism as part of the game, rather than internalizing it.
Fame can put your close relationships to the test, and this is something you should be prepared for. Some people in your life will be very affirmative and excited about your career, and others may end up jealous and competitive for your time. Spend time having one-on-one conversations with your loved ones, explaining to each person your goals, values, and intentions for your relationship during times of your major success.
If you try to keep up the fame itself rather than, say, your music or your trending makeup tutorials, you will get caught up trying to maintain the thrill of success. Let your work thrill you and your fans and admirers will learn to appreciate these things over and above the work you do for your public image.
Remember to appreciate all of the opportunities that you get—don’t take them for granted! Be ready to give back and help others who can benefit from your experience with fame. One celebrity went so far as to ask a magazine to take pictures of her with no makeup or retouching so that she could show people that the image of perfection is just an image, not a reality. What’s more, trying to be a celebrity rather than an artist or actor will make it very difficult to stay close to your evolving artistic vision.
Especially because many artists are sensitive people, it can be easy to internalize these standards and end up conforming to who others want you to be. [5] X Research source If you’re an actor, you may encounter the added difficulty of upsetting people by not having the same real-life personality as the character you play. This can be dealt with by addressing how different you are from your character during interviews or on social media.
Some actors have success in therapy. There, you can get a clear, solid foundation to stand on when faced with the difficulties of fame. Knowing your stance on relevant public issues will also be a major asset in interviews. If you have strong values you will never be left with nothing to say if people ask for your opinion. This will leave less room for making a faux pas or saying something that becomes controversial.
Remember that you are never obligated to answer questions about your personal life, and some celebrities make it a rule not to. [7] X Research source
Alternately, you can make it a point to go to major events on your own. If you are sensitive to the media following your relationships, which can be quite a challenge, try keeping your dating life personal altogether.
For example, pre-adolescents reportedly value fame over all other prospects for the future. This means that you have a coveted role for this age group, and have an opportunity to share the realities of your experience with young people who are highly interested.
When you talk to individual fans, don’t think about maintaining your image or bolstering your reputation. Try to talk to them with empathy, sharing in the excitement of the moment together. If you are faced with a fan who is younger than you for example, it would not be appropriate to act cool and aloof. When responding to fans in comment sections and on social media, keep your replies brief and cheery. If someone else handles this responsibility for you, make sure that you check in with this person to make sure that they are maintaining a fun, carefree voice.
Take, for example, the celebrity couple who sells the rights to photos of their newborn children to donate that money to charity. Even just spreading the word about a charity event in conversation with the press can make a big difference. You can also broach important issues, making talking points out of parts of your life. If someone asks “How are you keeping up with your education and keeping up your YouTube persona at the same time?” or something similar, you have the opportunity to share advice about juggling popularity that could help your peers.
Having a strong, responsible hold over your finances will give you a good sense of what sorts of arrangements you can afford to enter into and those you cannot. An awareness of your financial situation can also make it easier to make decision about jobs you want to take and ones you can do without.
