Which celebrity would you love to meet, and what would you talk about?
There’s barely any need to meet a celebrity these days. We’re practically old mates already. I can listen to their podcasts, follow their lives on Instagram, subscribe to their newsletters and pay for the privilege of accessing even more of their personality. The only minor detail worth mentioning is that they have absolutely no clue who I am.
They’re like open books, as my mother used to say. Although increasingly ones with subscription fees, sponsored chapters and carefully curated pages.
I do wonder what it’s like being famous. Every stranger who approaches you must seem a bit like a cold-calling telesales person. However friendly and polite, they probably want something. A selfie, an autograph, a little reflected glory. It must be exhausting.
Perhaps I’m worried about meeting my heroes. What if we have absolutely nothing in common beyond their work? What if they’re terribly boring? Worse still, and more likely, what if they think I’m terribly boring?
Then again, isn’t that the risk you take whenever you meet someone new?
Perhaps I’d rather meet someone famous without knowing they’re famous. Have a perfectly ordinary conversation, discover something interesting about them, and part company none the wiser.
A friend of mine once spent an entire train journey chatting to Roy Hattersley, the former Labour politician, without having the faintest idea who he was. It was only after Hattersley had got off that a fellow passenger revealed his identity, remarking that he seemed much more normal than he did on the telly. Admittedly, I’m stretching the definition of celebrity a little here, but you get the gist.
In truth, it’s probably not about finding someone interesting to meet, but being genuinely interested in whoever I happen to meet. That sounds suspiciously like a motivational poster, so I’d better stop there.
For the second day running, I’ve managed to write an entire response to a writing prompt without actually answering the question. There’s a pattern developing here – philosophical procrastination masquerading as thoughtful reflection. Must do better.