The Disadvantages of Being Famous

There are so many people who think that they would like to be famous, which is why shows like 'The X-Factor' are so popular. The idea of someone from a disadvantaged background being discovered, becoming famous and getting rich is a romantic one that rarely comes true. The celebrity world is fickle and requires a great deal of ruthlessness to survive. Although being famous might seem like a good idea when you have a boring nine-to-five job and are desperate for some kind of escape, the reality can often fail to live up to the hype.

For a start, you may not earn as much money as you think you would. Although A-list celebrities may be able to command huge sums for their performances – whether in acting or music – when you're just starting out you can't expect to become rich overnight. You usually have to put a great deal of hard work in, unless you happen to be incredibly lucky and become an instant sensation. Even this has drawbacks, though, as you're suddenly thrust into the spotlight and are no longer able to lead a normal life. Such attention might sound appealing, but with adoration also comes saturation and, eventually, loathing.

You may be loved at first, but people will soon grow tired of constantly hearing your music being played or seeing your face in magazines, and it can be difficult to deal with people's disapprobation. Whether you work your way up to the top gradually or get there quickly, you will fall just as hard either way. You will find that all those people who were your best friends when you were rich and famous quickly jump ship and are no longer interested in being with you or helping you out, and so you're left on your own. If you failed to organise your finances when you were making money you could also find yourself in severe financial difficulties.

When everything is going well and you're earning plenty of money, you may not bother to prepare for the day when the money is no longer coming in, because you're famous and believe you will stay that way. Consequently, you get carried away leading the celebrity lifestyle – buying big houses and cars, throwing extravagant parties; you may even end up hooked on drugs and alcohol, as so many big stars do – and so it doesn't take long for your resources to drain away. Instead of being on the A-list, you could find yourself hurtling down towards the Z-list, and signing up to do anything that pays.

You can't escape the media interest in your downfall, unfortunately, and so if you turn up for the opening of a supermarket or end up having to work in one, you may well see your picture splashed on the cover of a magazine. It is even worse when you're actually famous, though, because the paparazzi follow you everywhere, which can be an intimidating experience, and you simply can't escape their presence. Once you're famous, it is as if you become other people's property, since you will be asked for your autograph and picture on a regular basis, and this can become rather tedious. Yet, all of these disadvantages of being famous do not seem to put people off the idea that being a celebrity brings with it wealth and glamour, so that many continue to aspire to this way of living.