30 Times People Met Stars Who Turned Out To Be Very Unpleasant People

According to entertainment expert Sington, from LA, there are lots of strategies that stars can employ to maintain their energy and positive attitude during their interactions with fans.

For one, they should certainly prioritize self-care. It's essential (for everyone, even if you're not famous yet). The expert advised getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and getting regular exercise. "Many celebrities also practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga to manage stress and stay grounded," he said.

"Visualizing positive interactions can help shift their mindset and approach encounters with optimism. Additionally, setting boundaries and limiting fan interactions when necessary allows them to recharge and avoid feeling overwhelmed," Sington explained to Bored Panda.

"Some celebrities even develop specific phrases or responses to keep interactions brief and polite while maintaining a friendly demeanor. Ultimately, finding a balance between engaging with fans and preserving their own well-being is crucial for celebrities to thrive in their demanding careers."

We were also curious to get the entertainment expert's thoughts on how fans should react if they have a particularly unpleasant or downright rude interaction with a beloved star. "It's important to approach the situation calmly and thoughtfully. While it might be tempting to react emotionally or publicly shame the individual, it's often best to take a more measured approach," Sington said.

"First, consider the context of the interaction. Was the celebrity stressed, tired, or simply having a bad day? Sometimes, external factors can influence behavior. If the encounter was minor or unintentional, it might be best to simply let it go," he said.

"However, if the behavior was particularly egregious or hurtful, you could consider sharing your experience with a trusted friend or family member. Remember, while celebrities are public figures, they are also human beings who deserve respect, and at the same time should be responsible for their behavior."

Legendary pop star, producer, designer, and reality TV judge Pharrell Williams urges everyone to prioritize empathy. “I think empathy is the most important thing. It’s not a natural thing to just literally think of others all the time. It’s just not. You constantly have to challenge yourself to be a little bit more open to what other people are going through,” he told the New York Times Magazine.

Despite what Williams says, the absolute majority of human beings are hardwired for empathy, and its impact and importance can’t be understated. But he's right about us not being used to caring about people 24/7, which can be overwhelming. Empathy isn’t just about being ‘nice,’ social cohesion depends on it. Sarah Konrath, an associate professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, told CNN that empathy motivates us to take action when we see other people suffering.

Meanwhile, psychological scientist Jennifer Lerner, from the Harvard Kennedy School in Massachusetts, explains that humans need empathetic skills in order to make societal cooperation possible in the first place. According to her, it’s important to distinguish between empathy (perceiving what someone is feeling) and sympathy (compassion).

“[A] common mistake is to leap into sympathy before empathically understanding what another person is feeling.”

There are two main types of empathy: emotional empathy (intuitive, centered on compassion and concern) and cognitive empathy (systematic, more accurate, and focused on imagining yourself in another person’s shoes). Ideally, you’ll have a mix of both.

While many empathetic processes are automatic (thanks, mirror neurons!), you can be deliberately empathetic and activate them. Furthermore, we can reinforce our empathy by socialization and being in an environment where we’re incentivized to care about others and their perspectives. When you depend on other people for something, you’re motivated to understand what they feel.

It’s not healthy to idolize and hype celebrities up too much. Yes, they might be in the spotlight and be super talented and successful, but they’re still human beings. At the end of the day, everyone has their strengths and flaws. Some stars might never have learned how to interact with other people in a meaningful way or to forge deep, authentic connections.

Others might struggle with self-esteem issues and believe that they have to create an entirely fake persona or put others down to avoid being vulnerable and getting hurt. Still, others might not even realize the consequences of their own actions until someone calls them out for their rudeness.

Developing more empathy and self-awareness isn’t impossible for most people (barring literal psychopaths). It just takes a lot of time and a dash of humility to admit there’s room for growth.

What’s the rudest or most confusing encounter you’ve ever had with someone famous? On the flip side, what’s the most positive celebrity experience you’ve had, dear Pandas? How do you think you’d treat your fans if you became a star overnight? Tell us all about it in the comments!