Autographs on almost anything were incredibly popular forms of getting recognition from your favorite celeb in earlier times. Fans would ask for signed photos, books, scraps of paper, clothing, and more when meeting their favorite famous individuals at concerts, events, or on the streets.
But as cell phones became more and more prevalent, photos with fans were a common question for most celebrities.
And later on, it became selfies.
Selfies are often the only way that most fans want to memorialize meeting a celebrity, and it can be quite stressful and a hassle for many celebs which has led to some pulling away from the idea. Here are some celebs who no longer take pictures with fans and some information on why.
Jennifer Lawrence
As one of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood, Jennifer Lawrence has spoken up a lot about issues with fame or fans as well as how she can keep sane or keep her mental health during her time in the spotlight. Lawrence speaks up about saying no to fans being an important part of her mental health and wellbeing.
She explained that reminding herself she can say no helped her mental wellbeing and ability to go out more because the fear of having to constantly give fans what they wanted or take photos was too much for her.
Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt joins the celebrities pulling away from photos and selfies with fans. He explains why as a point of enjoying the moment. Pratt explained that the reasoning for taking photos with your favorite celeb is often more based on bragging to others, later on, not being happy and grateful for the moment happening as it is.
He now offers fans that ask for photos a handshake instead, but also mentions most fans just take a photo regardless. It gives some interesting food for thought though when you consider that view.
Emma Watson
Watson has had her share of fame since she was extremely young due to her major role in the Harry Potter film series growing up. Emma’s reasoning in avoiding photos with fans is the obsessive nature that some fans and paparazzi can have in a celebrity’s location.
She said that when a fan posts a photo with her, it gives people her location, clothing, and other important information that shouldn’t be shared and can put her in uncomfortable situations. As she puts it, “I just can’t give that tracking data”. And we understand that point.
Amy Schumer
As an example of negative experiences shaping celebrity opinions on fans and offering fan photos, Amy Schumer took to Instagram to explain that she will no longer take photos with her fans after an event in Greenville a previous year. She was overwhelmed by a man asking for photos of and with her, and when she said no he replied rudely that fans paid for her so she can’t say no.
This of course was incredibly off-putting and made Amy no longer want to take photos with fans, because she has a right to say no to her fans for any reason.
Lorde
In a tweet in 2014, Lorde spoke up about her discomfort with the need for taking photos of celebrities constantly and how it’s not right to invade their privacy in that way. She explained that yes fame allows for people to take photos of you, but that allowance does not mean that invading celebrities’ privacy and taking photos of them constantly or without consent is okay or negate the fact that it’s a major invasion of their lives.
This tweet has been deleted, but her standpoint was made clear and resonates with plenty of other celebs.
The reasoning for not taking photos with their fans varies across different celebrities, but there are shared reasons that have been mentioned. If you think about it, it can be quite stressful to have to be camera-ready at all times or to have cameras in your face from fans a lot too. Imagine having people randomly want a photo with you when you’re having a bad day or just out on errands, you probably don’t look or feel your best for that photo either.
This point also applies to celebs along with other important reasons for their own lives and fans, which is why some celebrities have begun to pull away from the idea of taking photos or selfies with fans that they meet such as this list of individuals.