When you’re putting yourself out there, building your personal brand, and attracting a following, soon you’ll be recognised in the street and your inbox will overflow. But is this what you really want?
Everyone faces the spotlight differently. Some people thrive with every gushing email and selfie request. Others feel trapped by the very recognition they worked so hard to achieve. How you process fame reveals something deeper about how you’re built and what you really want from life and work.
I’ve spent years studying how entrepreneurs build their personal brands. After selling my social media agency, I turned to helping coaches use AI to scale their impact, seeing firsthand how visibility affects different people.
Some shine under pressure, some retreat from it. Which one are you?
The dividing line: who loves fame and who hates it
Most people assume fame is universally desirable. The money, influence, recognition. Who wouldn’t want that? But reality shows a more complex picture.
Kim Kardashian has said, “I love the attention.” She’s built an empire on being seen, photographed, and talked about. Paris Hilton is similar. “I always knew I was going to be famous.” They love the spotlight and design their lives to maximize it.
But for every Kardashian, there’s an Emma Watson, who refuses photos with fans to protect her privacy. There’s Amy Winehouse who said she would “give it all up just to walk down the street.” Or Robert Pattinson who felt “like a fugitive” at the height of his Twilight fame.
This division exists across industries and platforms. So what makes the difference?
Why some people love being famous and others hate it
Your preconceptions of fame shape your experience. Those who enter public life ready for its downsides tend to handle it better. They build appropriate boundaries from day one.
When Jim Carrey said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer,” he was highlighting the gap between expectation and reality.
Your values determine whether fame feels like freedom or a cage. If you value privacy, quiet time, and close relationships, sudden visibility can feel invasive rather than validating.
Some people discover this mismatch only after achieving fame. That’s what happened to Lindsay Ellis, who left YouTube after massive harassment, saying, “Being a public figure on the internet is like being slowly pecked to death by chickens.”
Your support systems make a crucial difference. Those with strong teams, clear boundaries, and personal support networks weather fame far better than those facing it alone.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said, “I love entertaining people. That’s what I do.” His team handles the business side while he focuses on what he loves. That alignment protects his energy and enthusiasm.
How fame changes as you grow
Your relationship with visibility shifts as your audience expands, and it happens in stages.
First, posting becomes playtime. After the initial pressure to perform wears off, content creation turns fun again. You stop obsessing over likes and start experimenting. Your feed becomes a creative outlet rather than a source of stress.
Then strangers start knowing your name. With a recognizable presence, people recognize you. Whether in person or online, your message reaches further than you realize. This builds connections with like-minded people before you’ve even met them.
Next, your inbox overflows. As your brand grows, so do the messages. Collaboration requests, speaking invites, and networking outreach pile up. Managing this well means setting boundaries and building systems to stay in control. Or just ignoring everyone.
Finally, success chases you. Opportunities start coming to you instead of the other way around. The more consistently you show up, the more you attract the right people and projects. It feels like luck, but it’s often a result of consistent action and visibility.
How to thrive no matter which camp you’re in
Whether you naturally love or hate fame, you can learn to handle visibility on your terms.
Build fame-proofing systems early. Create boundaries around your time, attention, and personal life before you need them. Successful public figures automate responses, hire support staff, and create protected spaces where they can be themselves.
Pieter Levels, creator of Nomads, became “unreachable” as his platforms grew due to message volume. His solution was automating responses and limiting access to maintain his sanity.
Know what you’re becoming known for. People who build fame around their values and strengths feel more authentic than those chasing visibility for its own sake. When your work aligns with your purpose, attention feels validating rather than draining.
Lady Gaga captured this perfectly: “Fame for me is not the goal, but I enjoy what it allows me to do.” Note that Lady Gaga isn’t her real name. She created a persona that allows for separation.
Many public figures maintain a healthy (and strategic) separation between their public and private selves. By deciding what parts of yourself to share, you retain control over your narrative.
Success on your terms
Create intentional visibility versus accidental exposure. Know yourself, your values, and your goals to build a personal brand that attracts the right kind of recognition.
Design your online presence with intention. Align your visibility with your values. Create systems that protect what matters most. Whether you love the spotlight or prefer working behind the scenes, success comes from doing it your way.
Fame itself isn’t good or bad. What matters is whether it serves your deeper purpose. As you build your brand, keep asking: Does this visibility help me create the impact I want? Make fame a powerful tool rather than a burden.
Read the full article here
