Robbie Williams speaks candidly about the pressures of being a celebrity as he reveals how fans asking for selfies can cause him to ‘panic’
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By KIRSTEN MURRAY FOR MAILONLINE
Robbie Williams opened up with his fans about how he really struggles being recognised and asked for selfies when out and about.
The Take That star, 51, took to Instagram as he recounted how he had been asked for multiple photos on a recent flight as he admitted requests for selfies cause him discomfort and panic.
The singer explained that while he can mask it well, he urged fans to consider what else could be going on for him in the moment as he made the point he is a normal man with a family.
Discussing the flight he pointed out he had had little sleep and was trying to look after his four children, and one selfie would undoubtedly trigger more as it would alert people as to who he was.
He explained that one fan had passed him a ‘lovely note’, praising his Netflix documentary that detailed his struggles with fame.
Robbie then decided to write back as he explained a selfie would cause his anxiety to ‘spike, because then the whole cabin would start wondering who I am’.
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Robbie Williams spoke candidly about the pressures of being a celebrity 24/7 as he revealed how selfies can cause him ‘panic’ as he urged fans to remember he is human
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The Take That star, 51, took to Instagram as he recounted how he had been asked for multiple photos on a recent flight as he admitted requests for selfies cause him discomfort and panic (pictured in December)
Revealing that more notes and requests for photos then followed he dived into a discussion on being a celebrity and the pressures that come with it.
He explained: ‘There’s a kind of unspoken law: as a celebrity, you should be accessible 24/7.
‘Greet all strangers like you’re the mayor of the best town anyone’s ever visited. Make sure their wishes are met, whatever they are.’
Yet Robbie stressed that celebrities are normal humans like the rest of us as he added, many are ‘fans of fame, not necessarily of me’.
He wrote: ‘What I am saying is – let people be people. Humans struggling – like we all are – in one way or another.’
The star urged fans to give celebrities the ‘dignity of their privacy, their wants, their needs’, as he could be ‘on the phone with my mum, talking about her dementia or thinking about my dad’s Parkinson’s’.
Reiterating that he is grateful for the fans and where they have got him in life he added: ‘It’s not a moan. It’s just something I needed to get off my chest.
‘I’ve let you into parts of my life that maybe I shouldn’t. But I hope, as with everything I have shared lately, it’s met with the same compassion.’
