How to Be Friends with a Celebrity

It is the one fundamental need that all of us have to have to survive. It is the need for human companionship. Whether rich and famous or your average Joe everyone needs someone. However, for the rich and famous, finding someone to trust and be able to lean on is amazingly difficult. I do believe a great illustration of this came in a series of Hannah Montana when Miley's best friend, Lilly finds out who Miley truly is. The whole idea of having a rich and famous friend goes to Lilly's head and she begins to treat Miley differently. Something that causes Miley to become depressed and deeply hurt. However, as all Hollywood shows go, this one has a happy ending with Lilly realizing that friendship is far more important then riches and fame. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case for most celebrities. Their stories are often less fairytale ending when it comes to friendships. That is why it is so important to follow some simple rules when befriending a celebrity.

Should a celebrity move into your neighborhood treat them as you would anyone else. We have had this happen ourselves and, by treating them with respect, we have gained some new friends that we otherwise would have missed out on. Bake up some yummy baked goods and go over and introduce yourself just as you would any other new neighbor. If your new celebrity neighbor has high security then leave the baked goods at the gate with the guard. Include a card that explains that you are their new neighbor and just wanted to welcome them to the neighborhood. Offer to provide them with help in getting situated in their new neighborhood with suggestions of great restaurants, fun shopping areas and great secluded sites that would be great getaways from the everyday grind. No one can refuse baked goods and the hand of true friendship.

Once you are face to face with the celebrity don't, under any circumstances, wig out. What I mean by this is don't start screaming, carrying on or asking for autographs. Sure, you will get an autograph but I can guarantee that you will not gain a friend. Just talk to the celebrity like you yourself would want to be talked to. Ask how things are going, talk about the weather, your jobs, anything but your huge desire to meet them and get their autograph. I once met Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the Dukes Of Hazzard. Sure I was excited beyond belief about meeting him but I had to push all of that aside if I wanted to really get to know him. I approached him and began talking about the show and his car, one of the original General Lees. We then began speaking about how my dad used to own a General Lee car and how he did house calls in it for his Chiropractic business. After several hours I felt like I wasn't talking to an amazing celebrity but rather an amazing friend. I felt at ease and so did Ben. We were joking, laughing and having a great time until his wife commented that there were other fans who wished to meet him. So much for that. What I did get out of all of it was a ton of great photos, a wonderful autograph and a feeling of friendship which I cherish to this day.

Once you have established a speaking relationship with the celebrity it is time to show how much you do want to be a genuine friend. To show you care keep their goings ons to yourself. If they are having a huge party and you are invited, don't blab it all over town where and when the party will be. That is disrespectful and just plain rude. No one wants a fun party crashed by a bunch of hungry reporters from some cheap tabloid. Also, there is the issue of safety. Blab to the wrong person and your new friend could become the target of some crazy person. Under no circumstances should you tell anyone where your celebrity friend lives either. That is their business and no one else's. Besides, if they moved to a rural place, such as New Hampshire, then chances are they just want to be left alone anyhow. Respect that. After all, respect is the number one component to a genuine friendship.

Speaking of respect, I have a celebrity friend who covered his face with a cap and sunglasses one day so he could enjoy a fair that was going on. He came in and I immediately knew who he was. He greeted me and I greeted him, first name only so no one would put two and two together. He made his rounds quickly and left. One of the venders he purchased from knew me and I said to her, "Do you know who just purchased from you?" I told her, now that he was clear of the building and long gone, and she wigged out. She then asked why I didn't tell her when he was there. I looked her in the eye and said, "Because I knew you would have done exactly what you just did and that would have caused problems for him." She realized that I was right and went on to tell everyone what had happened to her without being angry at me. Morel to the story? I kept my respect and friendship by keeping quiet while my celebrity friend had fun and later made his 'escape'. At the same time I made another friend's day and perhaps entire year. Basically, if you must tell someone wait until the celebrity is long gone. This way they get to have a normal experience and enjoy themselves while your other friends get to wig out far away from your celebrity friend. Notice here too that I didn't tell you who my friend is nor where he lives? That is true respect that I'm sure he will appreciate should he read this article.

One last piece of advice.......celebrities are humans too. They put their pants on the same as you do every morning and they expect the same respect that you do when in a friendship. Respect them and they are sure to respect you too. Gain their respect and you gain a true friend. And speaking of friends, thank you to all my celebrity friends who made this article possible. You know who you are and we will leave it at that. Also, here's to all my new celebrity friends that I hope to meet along the way.