I believe that when you choose a career in the public eye, you are entering into an unspoken contract with the people who support you. Without fans buying tickets, streaming content, or following social media accounts, these individuals wouldn't have the platform, influence, or wealth they enjoy. Therefore, I think it is only right that they remain accessible and friendly when they are out in public. It doesn't take much to acknowledge a fan with a quick photo or a brief conversation. When a celebrity acts 'too big' for their supporters or demands total isolation, it feels ungrateful and elitist. These interactions are what humanize a star and build the long-term loyalty that sustains a career. A small gesture of kindness can mean the world to a fan and takes almost no effort from the celebrity. If you want the perks of fame, you have to accept that being a public figure is a 24/7 reality, not something you can just switch off when it is inconvenient. Being dismissive only creates a divide and shows a lack of appreciation for the very community that made your lifestyle possible.
I strongly disagree with the idea that celebrities are public property. At the end of the day, they are human beings who are entitled to privacy, boundaries, and a life outside of their professional output. Their 'job' is to provide entertainment through their specific craft—whether that is acting, music, or sports—and that job should end when they leave the workplace. Expecting someone to be 'on' and perform for the public 24/7 is a recipe for burnout and severe mental health struggles. I don't think buying a movie ticket or a song gives me the right to interrupt someone's dinner with their family or follow them while they are running errands. We need to stop equating financial success with the forfeiture of basic human rights to peace and quiet. True fandom should be rooted in respecting the artist as a person, not demanding access to them at all times. When we force these interactions, they become performative and hollow anyway. I would much rather have an artist who is mentally healthy and has a clear boundary between their work and their personal life than one who is constantly harassed and pressured to smile for every camera phone they encounter on the street.