Katy Perry, a pop star who has long been under the scrutiny of fame, recently discussed her views on dealing with the constant public attention. Despite her gratitude for her fans, she finds it exhausting to maintain a public persona at all times. Reflecting on an Elvis Presley quote about always being available for fans, Perry explained why she believes this approach no longer holds true for contemporary celebrities.
In an interview with Kristen Wiig for Interview Magazine, Perry expressed her strong disagreement with the idea that celebrities owe the public access to their personal lives. She questioned who established this expectation and dismissed it as a selfish desire to invade privacy. Perry recounted a story about Elvis Presley, noting that he would always take photos with any fan who approached him in public. However, she pointed out that this was more feasible in Elvis’s era because fewer people had cameras.
Perry highlighted the drastic difference in the availability of cameras between Elvis’s time and today. In the 1950s, encountering someone with a camera was rare, and only a few people would ask for photos. Nowadays, almost everyone carries a camera on their phone, making it overwhelming for celebrities to constantly accommodate photo requests. This technological change has made the old rule impractical for modern stars.
Additionally, Perry mentioned her preference for interacting with younger fans over adult ones, reflecting a more selective approach to fan engagement. She elaborated on her discomfort with fame intruding on her personal life, stating that while she is open to public interactions during work, she values her privacy during personal time. Perry expressed frustration with the relentless attention she receives when she is not working, emphasizing that she does not tolerate it, especially when it involves her personal life or family.
Perry asserted that the expectation for celebrities to be always accessible is unfounded and unrealistic. She argued that this notion is not a rule or law, and those who believe it is do not truly understand the dynamics of fame. By sharing her perspective, Perry shed light on the challenges modern celebrities face in balancing their public and private lives, and the need for boundaries to preserve their well-being.
