So often we see people glorified on television and in movies that we tend to forget that they are still just as human as the rest of us. Add to that the endless parade of paparazzi pictures and stories and it seems the people we know as celebrities, more and more are viewed as icons, rather than as human beings. If you want to get behind the glitz, you might be interested in meeting some of these people and making your own judgments. Please keep in mind though, as you read the tips below, that I’ve not included such drastic measures as rushing someone at a restaurant or breaking into their house. While these methods are technically a means of meeting someone, you’re not likely to get to know them in any sense of the word. It’s best to meet them under mutually agreeable terms. Below I’ve listed some tips that might be helpful if you are interested in meeting a celebrity.
Interview. One of the more obvious ways to meet a celebrity is to request and interview one of them. As a reader of Associated Content, you’ve no doubt seen some content providers here who have done just that, albeit via telephone. Generally you need to have credentials of some sort, or a least a good story. You also need to pick your celebrity carefully. Usually the ones that are “hot” are much more difficult to pin down.
Go to Where they Work. While this might seem a little strange, it can be surprisingly effective. Obviously some celebrities are more accessible than others, you have to chose wisely. Also remember, not all celebrities are movie or television stars. It’s possible to get backstage passes for example, for performing artists, or to simply schedule an appointment if your subject is a public servant. You might also try getting a backstage pass to a talk show where a particular celebrity is appearing, or applying to be an extra on a movie set. If your area is sports celebrities, you can show up for training camp. This is an area where you really need to use your imagination.
Charity Events. Attending a charity event that has celebrity attendees might give you a glimpses of stardom, but to actually meet the celebrities involved, you have to be part of the organization that is putting on the event. Granted, joining an organization for the sole purpose of meeting celebrities might seem a bit overly dramatic, but you can always tell yourself and your friends and family that you’re in it for the greater good.
Causes and Events. A lot of celebrities attend events in order to raise awareness of something or to give their views. As with charity events, you’re a lot more likely to actually have a conversation with one or more of these celebrities if you are part of the group that is putting on the event. It’s not impossible however to meet someone famous by just showing up. Several years ago, for example, I was at a march in Washington D.C. and met the entire cast of the television show L.A. Law. It was purely circumstance. I just happened to be up near the front when they needed some people to help carry the banner they were all holding. One of the big bonuses of this type of meeting is you won’t have to go through press agents or other handlers and the celebrities are much more open.
Corporate Liaison. As odd as this many sound, it is possible to meet famous people if you are in any position to serve as a corporate liaison; and you don’t even necessarily have to work in human resources. Several years ago, for example, I was working for one of the largest telecom companies in the country, as a systems engineer. As it so happened, the CEO was contacted for a visit by then President, Clinton. The President wanted to be seen on television embracing some new technology we’d been developing. He came to our headquarters and spoke to a very large crowd. A couple of us engineers were assigned to escort him to and from the podium. The three of us chatted for several minutes while waiting for his introduction. It was interesting to say the least.
Fan Clubs. Most fan clubs keep track of their celebrities whereabouts. If you want to meet them, it’s good to know if they will be in your area. Quite often they also list meet-n-greets, where the star will take time to talk to fans. This is quite common for soap stars and other lower echelon celebrities.
Book Them. If you are part of a small organization that might appeal to a celebrity, you might pay them to come visit and speak to your group. If that seems too expensive, perhaps you can get them to volunteer to do the same. This is not uncommon. Many celebrities have causes they support, so if you happen to work for an echo-friendly group say, or support animal or human rights, you might find a lot of success. Also, if you can arrange for some press to cover your event that should greatly increase the chances of your star signing on.
Be a Clerk. Living where I do, I know several people that have met celebrities through their work. Granted most of them work at near minimum wage, but still, they’ve met a lot of the rich and famous. You have to pick your position wisely though, because not every encounter will be something you might consider meaningful. You’re not likely to get much conversation if you’re waiting on them at a restaurant, for example. On the other hand, if you’re selling them clothes, you might discover more about them than you really want to know.
Move. If you live somewhere distant from where the stars live, work or hang out, your chances of meeting any of them are pretty slim. If you’re truly interested in meeting the movers and shakers, you’ll have to either vacation frequently, or move.
The above tips should be helpful to anyone who is interested in meeting celebrities. Please always remember that you’re much more likely to have a meaning full encounter with a celebrity if you’re polite, professional and don’t act too star struck. Good luck with your efforts.
