TALK TUESDAY / I’m a Super Fan in a Digital World

By Kaeyla Willis

I’m guilty, just like the next person of being a major fanatic (yep) of celebrities. I have a list of musicians and well-known people that I’d defend until the pigs fly. But at what point does my love of music transcend to something more? I’ve met a few musicians over my life and have learned some pretty valuable lessons about do’s and don’ts. Maybe you relate to this post, and maybe you don’t. But here are a few things I’ve observed and learned from meeting singers/ songwriters/ actors. 

Be personal, but not too personal.

Once, I saw one of my favorite rappers in Benihana (the hibachi restaurant). As soon as it happened, I called my friend and ran to the bathroom. Hyperventilating and nervous, I asked my friend what to do and he told me to speak and ask for a photo. As my family and I were leaving the restaurant, I decided to stop and speak. For some odd reason, I thought it was a good idea to speak to him and ask him by his first name. The exchange went something like this. 

Me: “Excuse me. Is your name (insert name here)?”.

Him: Yeah. Who are you?

Me: I’m Kaeyla. I’m a big fan of yours. 

Him: So. You’re calling me by first name, but I don’t know you.

Me: True, but we’re facebook friends. 

*crickets* (https://giphy.com/gifs/glee-lol-food-PLEdLheDHeAxi)

Me: If it’s okay, can I have a photo?

Him: Yes. 

*takes photo*

Me: okay thank you bye! 

It was in that moment, when I realized that I can know all of these details about a person but I still don’t know them. Yes, this is public information and easily google-able. But understanding that celebrities are people and some of them have stage names for a reason, will go far. 

Fun fact: This celebrity met my best friend (the same one I called in the bathroom) at SxSW that year and gave them an autographed CD to bring back to me.

Don’t recount their Twitter Post, Create a new Memory

We’re in a digital world, but human interactions are still memorable. It’s easy to remember the tweets that make you laugh from your favorites but put those to the side when you meet them to create new moments. Also, some artists post statuses, etc. on social media for jokes. They don’t take their pages too seriously and don’t expect the fans to either. Instead of talking about a social media post, tell them about one of their songs that impacted your life or made you laugh. 

I remember reading a Frank Ocean interview with Timothee Chalamet and laughed hysterically when Timothee started dropping Frank Ocean lyrics into the conversation casually. It was organic and a way to acknowledge how cool it was to meet someone that Timothee looked up to.

TC “Dreaming a thought that could dream about a thought. / That could think of the dreamer that thought. / That could think of dreaming and getting a glimmer of God.”

FO [Laughs.] Don’t do that. When you’re on set, are you method acting?

Need more proof? Check out this video of Nicki Minaj rapping with a fan.

Being Genuine

This sounds cliche but being your fun, authentic self works. After the awkward interaction with the first rapper, I try to prepare something to say to famous people if I ever meet them. I also have a level of chill that I want to exude. I don’t want to be overly excited to meet them because I don’t want to project that onto the artist. When I’ve met musicians, they’ve tended to be chill, nice people. 

I met Vince Staples once (and will probably tell anyone who listens about the time I met him) during a Meet and Greet. I came prepared with two points and that was it. He was nice and receptive to both points. Then during the show, when it was time to hand out free merch for giveaways, he gave my friend a hoodie and myself a shirt. Being on the front row helped immensely, but I’d like to think that me being myself was memorable enough. 

If I leave you with anything it’s that celebrities are semi-regular people. (I say semi-regular because they’ve achieved a level of notoriety that makes them stand out.) You’re a person. We all have commonalities and are relatable so don’t lose sight of that when stanning your favorite celeb.