Fame, Firsthand
Fame, Firsthand
How Fame Feels: A Whirlwind Adventure
Imagine hitting the jackpot and going from a normal, ordinary life to that other kind of life. The life where your face is on TV, your name is in headlines, and you have your own Wikipedia page. How would it feel? Seriously, I really want to know! But let me warn you right away, I still don’t have a clear answer. I’ve gotten closer, though, and let me tell you, it’s been one hell of a ride.
It all started a year ago when my wildest fantasy became a reality. Time flew by like a whirlwind, picking me up and twirling me around. And you know what? I freakin’ loved every minute of it! Deep down, I always wanted it, but I never admitted it. I thought fame wasn’t for me, that I would be overwhelmed by it. I had the perfect solution – let my wife, Kelly, who was pursuing stardom in theater, be the star while I basked in the warmth of her success. Little did I know that I had my own dreams of fame, my own desires for recognition.
As the years went by, I started to question my own modesty. Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t deny the pleasure I felt from my reflection. All the things I tried to avoid in life suddenly happened to me all at once, and guess what? I survived and thrived! Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t that bad after all. The thought of becoming famous and successful started creeping into my mind. So, as 2021 turned into 2022, I decided to put my hypothesis to the test, and lo and behold, I became famous myself.
The moment it happened, something clicked in me. I was ready, I had been ready all along. I realized that I deserved it and embraced the strange feeling of actually deserving something. It was like a strange mix of luck and destiny, and boy, did it feel good.
Now, let’s talk about the perks of fame. I remember my first taste of celebrity treatment when I was flown out to DC. It was absolutely mind-blowing. First class flights with sleep pods, swanky hotel suites, and more pampering than I could have ever imagined. I mean, who wouldn’t want all that? Companies even started sending me free stuff, and let me tell you, after counting pennies in my bank account for so long, I was all too happy to receive those gifts. I even hired a friend to manage my Instagram, just so I could get more free shit. It was like Christmas every day!
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But fame isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are some downsides too. Take my social media, for example. I used to have a small following on Twitter, but once my episodes started airing, my follower count exploded. Notifications were flooding in faster than I could keep up. It felt overwhelming, like a Twitter storm, and I had to take a moment to turn off the notifications and catch my breath.
Then there are the endless interviews, where I found myself answering the same three questions in a never-ending loop. It felt like being trapped in a Groundhog Day of interviews. But hey, I did it with style and grace, just like C.J. Cregg from The West Wing.
Despite the challenges, being famous has its perks. I got to meet some interesting people and even had the opportunity to speak out on important issues. I testified against a bill that would harm trans kids and used my fame to shed light on the cause. It was a strange experience, attending a fancy gala one moment and fighting for trans rights the next. But hey, it’s all part of the job.
However, being famous comes with its own set of challenges. I realized that when you own your own fame, there’s no off switch. People will recognize you wherever you go, even when you’re just buying groceries. It’s a constant stream of attention, and sometimes, you’re just not in the mood for a selfie.
And let’s not forget, once you become famous, you become a small-business owner. You’re responsible for your own success, and there’s no performance review or training. You have to figure it out on your own and hope for the best.
But despite the challenges and complexities that come with fame, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The exhilaration of being recognized, the addictive nature of it all, it’s something I never want to let go of. And the best part? I get to use my fame to make a difference, to speak out for the causes I believe in.
So how does fame really feel? It’s complicated, but one thing is for sure – it’s a wild adventure that I’m not ready to give up just yet. I’m still discovering what it means to be famous, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me.
This article is adapted from Amy Schneider’s book, “In The Form of a Question: The Joys and Rewards of a Curious Life”.
