25 Times Celebs Politely Enforced Boundaries With Fans
When we watch a celebrity on screen and resonate with their performance, we form a sense of familiarity with the object of our admiration. This one-sided perspective can skew our view of the reality of our relationship with famous people. We may feel we have a deeper connection with a famous figure than is warranted and build expectations based on that emotion.
Recently, more and more superstars have been addressing their concerns over the demands of their fans that cross personal boundaries in public settings. Asking fans to look at it from their point of view by metaphorically stepping into their shoes, A-listers have requested followers to respect that even celebs suffer from natural anxieties, apprehensions of safety and other relatable demands of the human experience.
#1 In 2017, Emma Watson Told Vanity Fair That She Started Declining Fans’ Requests For Selfies Out In Public
Image source: emmawatson, vanityfair.com
Actress Emma Watson has revealed that she no longer takes selfies with fans in public due to safety concerns. “If someone takes a photograph of me and posts it, within two seconds they’ve created a marker of exactly where I am within 10 meters,” she explained in a 2017 interview with Vanity Fair. Watson will often offer to answer fans’ questions instead.
#2 Sophia Bush Posted A Statement On Her Instagram Story Asking To “Please Get Consent Before Touching People” And “Treat People Like People, Even If You ‘Know’ Them From Their Jobs”
Image source: sophiabush, buzzfeed.com
Actress Sophia Bush made a clear plea to her fans: respect personal boundaries! After a run-in at a DNC event, she reminded everyone to get consent before touching others and treat celebrities like, well, people – not just their on-screen personas.
#3 In Variety’s Actors On Actors Conversation With Adam Sandler, Jennifer Lawrence Said, “Once I Enter A Public Space, I Become Incredibly Rude. I Become A Huge A*****e. That’s My Only Way Of Defending Myself.”
Image source: Variety, buzzfeed.com
Jennifer Lawrence admits she becomes “a huge a*****e” in public as a defense mechanism against unwanted attention, particularly selfie requests. In a recent Actors on Actors interview for Variety, Lawrence described how she proactively rejects fans approaching her table, asserting her need to protect her personal space.
#4 In A Now-Deleted Tweet Lili Reinhart Wrote, “To The Two Girls Who Are Repeatedly Photographing Me As I’m Eating My Lunch… I See You. You Aren’t Slick… That’s F***ing Rude?”
Image source: lilireinhart, buzzfeed.com
Tired of being photographed mid-bite, Lili Reinhart addressed the paparazzi directly in a tweet, reminding everyone that she’s a person, not just “Betty Cooper,” and politely stated they are not entitled to her.
#5 In 2018, Jennifer Garner Confronted Photographers And Asked For “Space” As She Went To Help Her Former Husband, Ben Affleck, Check Back Into Rehab
Image source: jennifer.garner, metro.co.uk
In 2018, Jennifer Garner requested space from photographers as she helped her then-estranged husband, Ben Affleck, check back into rehab, reported The Metro. As she left his Pacific Palisades home, she politely asked the paparazzi to give them some distance, saying, “Can I ask you guys a favour? Just out of respect, can you give some space? Would you please? Just right now, just give us a minute.” She briefly confirmed that Ben was okay before returning to the home and driving off with him.
#6 In A Resurfaced Video Clip Of Anne Hathaway Leaving A Valentino Fashion Show In 2022, She Told A Group Of Fans, “I Cannot Take Photos With Everyone As There’s Too Many Of You, But I Will Stand Here And Wave If You Would Like To Take A Photo”
Image source: annehathaway, modestoiiibanzon
Actress Anne Hathaway politely set boundaries with a group of fans outside a 2022 Valentino fashion show, explaining that she couldn’t take photos or sign autographs for everyone due to the large crowd. Instead, she offered to wave for photos, allowing fans to capture a moment without compromising her own needs. Hathaway thanked the fans for their understanding.
#7 Anthony Mackie And Theo James On Fan Behavior Towards Actors
Image source: THR
Anthony Mackie shared his perspective on fan behavior during The Hollywood Reporter’s Roundtable Talks. He stated that people often tell him, “This is what you signed up for,” when dealing with overzealous fans, but he disagrees. “That’s like telling a girl that because she put on a cute dress and went to a bar, she signed up for me to harass her all night,” he said. Mackie emphasized the importance of respecting boundaries, saying, “In this day and age, we’ve learned that we have to respect everyone’s ‘no.'”
#8 Björk Wants Fans To Immerse Themselves In Music, Not Technology
Image source: bjork, ranker.com
Moments before her Bonnaroo performance, Björk posted a sign requesting that attendees refrain from taking photographs or recording video. The sign stated that doing so is distracting to her and further encouraged audience members to “enjoy being part of the performance and not preoccupied with recording it.”
#9 Justin Bieber Wants His Privacy Respected. The Star Took To Instagram Stories To Blast Individuals Who Had Been Invasively Waiting Outside His Home For Him To Arrive
Image source: justinbieber, justinbieber
Justin Bieber just wants to chill at home without the paparazzi stakeout! He took to Instagram to call out those who wait outside his apartment to gawk and snap photos, reminding them that his residence is not a tourist attraction but a private home.
#10 Taylor Swift Told The Audience, “And Just Because Communication Means Having Gentle, Healthy Boundaries — It Really Freaks Me Out When Stuff Gets Thrown On The Stage Because If It’s On The Stage Then A Dancer Can Trip On It”
Image source: taylorswift, swifferupdates
Taylor Swift is expressing concern for the safety of her dancers, requesting that fans refrain from throwing objects on stage. The singer has reminded concertgoers to uphold clear boundaries. “It really freaks me out when stuff gets thrown on the stage because…a dancer can trip on it,” Swift said on the clip seen on X.
#11 Selena Gomez Says Hailey Bieber ‘Reached Out’ To Her About ‘Death Threats,’ Asks Fans To Stop ‘Hate’
Image source: selenagomez, haileybieber
After alleged social media drama with Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez posted on her Instagram Story, “Hailey Bieber reached out to me and let me know that she has been receiving death threats and such hateful negativity.” She then asked fans to “stop” the “hate.”
#12 Billie Eilish Slams Taylor Swift Fans After ‘Wasteful’ Packaging Remarks: ‘Sheesh’
Image source: billieeilish, nypost.com
Billie Eilish claps back at Taylor Swift fans and media outlets after the performer’s “wasteful packaging” comment on the music industry went viral: “So it would be so awesome if people would stop putting words into my mouth.” Eilish’s environmental comments about the vinyl packaging of artists have had fans in a fury.
#13 Keke Palmer Explained Why It’s Not Okay To Film Celebrities Without Their Consent
Image source: keke, KekePalmer
Keke Palmer took to X to explain an incident where she was filmed without her consent after declining a photo request three times. Palmer emphasized that “no means no,” even for celebrities, and highlighted the importance of respecting personal boundaries in public interactions.
#14 In A Now-Deleted 2016 Instagram Post, Amy Schumer Wrote, “This Guy In Front Of His Family Just Ran Up Next To Me Scared The S**t Out Of Me”
Image source: amyschumer, amyschumer
When she asked him to stop, he replied, “No it’s America and we paid for you.” Schumer wrote that she would no longer take pictures with people because of this incident. In a follow-up post, she clarified that she would still take pictures with “nice people when I choose to,” but emphasized, “I don’t owe you anything. So don’t take if I say no.”
#15 Cole Sprouse Fired Back At Fans Spreading “Baseless Accusations” And Sending Death Threats
Image source: buzzfeed.com, Vogue
Annoyed by “baseless accusations” and outright death threats targeted at his friends, Sprouse made a formal statement reminding his fans this behavior is unacceptable.
#16 Ariana Grande Reminded Her Fans To Be Kind On The Internet After Pete Davidson Opened Up About The Bullying He’s Experienced Over The Last Year
Image source: apbenven, arianagrande
Davidson, who has been open about his struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder and suicidal ideation, shared a post about the hate he’s received despite trying to raise awareness about mental illness. Grande showed her support by reposting his message on her Instagram Stories, adding a plea to her fans to be kinder online, saying “you truly don’t know what anybody is experiencing ever.”
#17 In A Viral Video From 2023, Bad Bunny Tossed A Fan’s Phone After They Tried To Take A Selfie With Him
Image source: badbunnypr, donfelixspm
He later explained his actions in a since-deleted tweet, translated by the LA Times, stating that while he values interactions with fans who approach him respectfully, he considers it “a lack of respect” when someone shoves a phone in his face. As he put it, those who greet him genuinely will receive his “attention and respect,” but others will be treated accordingly
#18 “The Boys” Star Valorie Curry, Aka Firecracker, Asked Fans To Respect Her Boundaries Following An Incident At A Recent Comic-Con
Image source: valoriecurry, TheBoysOOCC
After Comic-Con in Belfast, Valorie Curry has opened up about feeling uncomfortable with some fans due to demands inspired by her character, Firecracker, on The Boys. “I know people saw a character that I played do some pretty extreme things on The Boys and…I don’t care if you’re in costume. I don’t care if you’re in character. It’s not okay, and it’s not funny to demand those things from me in person at my booth,” she said on Instagram. While she enjoys fan interactions, this type of behavior makes it difficult for her to attend conventions as an actor.
#19 In A 2024 TikTok Video Addressing Her Fans, Chappell Roan Said, “I Need You To Answer Questions. Just Answer My Questions For A Second. If You Saw A Random Woman On The Street, Would You Yell At Her Out A Car Window?
Image source: chappellroan, chappellroan
Singer Chappell Roan is speaking out against fan behavior that crosses boundaries, asking fans to consider if they would treat a stranger on the street with the same level of entitlement. In a series of TikTok videos, Roan emphasizes that just because she’s a celebrity, it doesn’t mean she’s okay with harassment, stalking, or a***ive behavior. She’s taking a stand for her right to say no to “creepy behavior” and set boundaries with her fans.
#20 Millie Bobby Brown Claps Back At Critics Over Comments About Her Appearance “I’ve Had Enough”
Image source: milliebobbybrown, milliebobbybrown
“I refuse to apologize for growing up!” The Stranger Things star took to Instagram and called out “bullying” journalism dissecting her face and body, urging for a shift from criticism to support for young women. Brown’s powerful statement highlights the intense scrutiny young stars face in the public eye.
#21 On A 2019 Episode Of The Table Manners Podcast, Emilia Clarke Said That, While She Was Having A Panic Attack In The Airport, A Fan Approached Her And Asked For A Selfie
Image source: emilia_clarke, buzzfeed.com
Emilia Clarke now prefers signing autographs to taking selfies with fans after a distressing airport encounter where, while experiencing a panic attack, a fan requested a photo. Clarke, who calls fan interactions “truthful human-to-human things” when she signs autographs, noted the airport interaction led her to re-evaluate how to navigate fame while protecting her well-being.
#22 Mitski Asks Fans To Put Their Phones Away During Her Upcoming Shows
Image source: mitskileaks, mitskileaks
In a Twitter thread from February 2022, she explained, ” They’re part of our reality, I have mine on me all the time, and I’m not against taking photos at shows (Though please no flash lol).” However, Mitski also expressed that watching people film entire songs or sets makes her feel “as though we are not here together.” She hopes to create a more shared experience, asking fans to be present and share the moment with her, rather than viewing it as content to be captured.
#23 After A Fan Posted A Video Sneaking Into Her “Here Lies Love” Broadway Dressing Room, Lea Salonga Stopped Meeting Guests In Her Dressing Room For Security Reasons
Image source: bcefa, MsLeaSalonga
In since-deleted 2023 tweets, she explained that “the money you pay for a theatre/concert ticket does not mean all-access. You pay for that performer’s art, and that’s where it stops.” However, she praised fans who wait at the stage door, saying they have been “incredibly kind,” which makes her enthusiastic to greet and talk to them.
#24 Dua Lipa Refuses To Take Pictures
Image source: mariagabrielita, telegrafi.com
Dua Lipa was recently seen politely declining a fan’s request for a photo while out with her boyfriend, Callum Turner. In a very polite way she refused the request, allowing her to maintain a private moment with her partner. The interaction, captured on video, has been praised by fans and followers, who see it as a positive example of setting boundaries and prioritizing personal time, even in the public eye.
#25 SZA Tweets That It Is Now Time To Restore The Boundary Between Her And Her Fans
“It’s time to restore the boundary, be blessed.” Fed up with entitled fans disrespecting her creative process, SZA announces a new era of distance, refusing to provide constant updates and explanations. Her decision highlights the growing tension between artists and fan expectations in the digital age.
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