How to Become a Celebrity

There are over six billion people on Earth, yet only a tiny handful of us become globally known business executives or celebrities. This article will explain how to boost your odds of becoming a celebrity in your chosen field, whether it be painting, acting, music, science, medicine, or something else altogether.

Establish a strong field of expertise - Perez Hilton knows celebrity gossip, Carl Sagan knew the universe and advanced astronomy theory, James Carville knows politics, Larry King knows the art of conversation. Rather than being someone who becomes "famous for being famous" (examples: Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Heidi Montag, etc.), take the dedicated route and specialize in one field. Become known as the best in your field and over time word of mouth will grow and benefit you in surprising ways. Philip Seymour Hoffman became famous not because of rockstar looks or chiseled abs, but because he was one of the most committed and talented character actors alive. For years he struggled, but eventually he gained global notoriety because his performances in early films like Magnolia were consistently amazing.

Take risks - Risk-takers tend to get more media attention. Look at Heath Ledger's breathtaking performance as "The Joker" in The Dark Knight, or his highly controversial performance as a gay rancher in "Brokeback Mountain". Both roles led to massive boosts in Ledger's global appeal, even after his tragic death. Chris Crocker, the "Leave Britney Alone!" YouTube star, became globally famous after a controversial video post in which he cried and defended Britney Spears against "haters".

Do publicity stunts - In my book about the art of fame, Dirty Little Secrets, I talk about how crucial it is to do publicity stunts from time to time. Richard Branson, the billionaire CEO of Virgin Group, knows the power of a great publicity stunt to reenergize his brand. The same goes for Madonna or any other A-list performer; they all realize that unusual stunts and off-the-review-page media coverage can help sales and concert attendance.

Remain true to yourself - You can take "shortcuts" to fame, but you risk alienation and being despised by the very public you need. Look at Joe the Plumber's rise to fame; everyone knows who he is, but not everyone likes him. This sort of fame is difficult to monetize. Compare Joe the Plumber's fame (or infamy, depending on who you ask) to the sort of fame that Johnny Depp enjoys... Depp has spent years developing his acting ability and draws tremendous box office returns whenever he stars in a film. This is the variety of fame you should actively pursue; you want to be well-known, but you also want your public to like and respect you. If you are not respected, the public won't see your films, buy your books, or come to your concerts. Always respect your public above all else.