My five minutes of fame lasted a bit longer than I expected, largely thanks to social media and because Amazon and other streaming platforms came along and started streaming many of my old shows. For this much thanks! Social Media helps – a surprising number of people are now my friends…fans are always friends, having watched and enjoyed these shows. My most significant appearance was in the film “The Lion in Winter” -people who had never seen it are watching and it has a new lease of life and is considered a classic. Many people have never heard of Peter O’Toole nor Katharine Hepburn- fame is fickle and unpredictible – however Anthony Hopkins’ long career and lasting fame has helped the film find new audiences.
I remember meeting Diana Vreeland (above) during my short “celebrity”moment. She was the editor of Vogue at the time and I was being considered for a photo shoot. She looked at me and I was dismissed quickly- clearly not glamorous, nor unconventional enough to be interesting.
Nowadays being a celebrity is enough to bring fame. Actually you don’t have to have done anything, just turn up in an outlandish costume and “hey presto”you are famous.
A perfect example is the recent Met Gala, a prestigious event being turned into a circus, by previously unknown people appearing on the red carpet, in what is basically fancy dress. I looked up a few of the people and their main claim to fame is as influencer and model.
Thank goodness we have Sir David Attenborough, who has contributed so much to our 20th and 21st legacy, who has just turned 100. He is the real thing – a super-star.
The celebrity moment can be fun. I imagine it is exhausting in the end. Wearing the “ famous” celebrity label for as long as you can, trying to outdo people in wardrobe, doing something outrageous. getting divorced? Anything goes, astonishing isn’t it? It is so much easier if you have actually done something, contributed in some way and have that something to talk about. I think for many of us the publicity aspect of our business is tiring, but necessary, ( it’s part of your contract.) Actually doing the job is much more challenging and interesting.
Till next time!
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