"True about the names comment but the fact remains that when I saw her last week and told her Amanda said hi, she knew exactly who I was talking about and asked me to tell her hello as well. Its a connection that seems a bit elevated above fan. I would say acquantince at least."
Oh, honey! Now, before you get all worked up over nothing, please take a moment and absorb the knowledge that I am not referring to wickedrentq when I make the following statement. Instead, I am referring to the general masses who seem to think that they're homies with Broadway performers because they're "on a first name basis" or somesuch.
Ready? Here we go. If, in fact, a certain performer and a certain fan are friends, wouldn't the performer (or the friend, for that matter) simply pick up the nearest phone, punch in a number, and say hello themselves, no mediation needed? It is simply amazing that performers, big-names and ensemble members alike, are taking the time to let people who appreciate the show into their lives. However, as a very wise woman once said, it is very hard for a performer to draw the line and let the fans know that they are simply being nice. They do not want to go shopping, they do not want to meet for dinner, and they do not want to call a fan's cell to chat. In being so approachable, these stars make themselves very vulnerable to the emotions of the people who care for them so much, and many times, these feelings are mistaken for friendship or a closer bond than the performer had in mind.
Is this natural? Of course. Who wouldn't want to be BFFs with their favorite performer? Unfortunately, many people fail to see the simple truth: 99% of the time, these people have zero interest in doing more than exchanging a few polite words and going about their business. Many of them would be (and some are) aghast at the extremes that their fans imagine their relationships with them to be.
Do I sound condescending? That's for you to decide. But the one thing I know is that I am not friends with those who I exchange words with at the stage door. I never have and never will claim to be. I am very appreciative of their work, and occasionally I like to have the opportunity to interact with them at the stage door. Hey, how many people can do that with their movie star of choice? However, no matter how kindly I am treated, I try to keep in mind that these people have lives and friends of their own. They do not need people who ask them for autographs to became their confidantes.
Truth is beauty.
Updated On: 12/6/05 at 06:52 PM
