Different fields carry with it different levels of exposure. There are certain fields where no one is known and there are some fields where some persons are known. Still, this does not deter us from acknowledging what is before us because some people are popular while some are famous.
Is there a difference between being popular and being famous?
Yes….. totally and the reason for my answer will be clear once we look into the definitions of both words.
To be popular is to have a strong social presence, to be well-liked and admired within a specific social circle or community.
While
*To be famous is to have a widespread reputation, strong social presence, to be respected and admired beyond a specific social circle or community. Famous people are liked and respected by a larger audience base unlike popular people.
For instance, Beyonce is a famous singer and musician who is admired and respected by many across the globe. There are other musicians in the field but they are simply popular but not famous.
Another famous musician I can mention is Michael Jackson. Although deceased, he was a global figure when he was alive. He was a well known and loved household name. Many fans copied his dress style, some imitated his dance steps and others went after his hair. Micheal Jackson was a famous legend.
In acting, I can mention Jackie Chan who has been in the industry for a very long time. He moved from being popular to becoming a well known and famous actor, loved and admired by many all over the world.
In sports, I can mention the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Pele, Zinadine Zidane and more and when we come to politics, I can't forget to mention President Donald Trump.
These people are very famous in their respective fields and they have even crossed the threshold to becoming household brands and names.
For items, I can mention Victoria's secret, Binatone, Nokia, Samsung, Apple and many more famous brands across the globe.
When would I consider something or someone as famous?
Personally I would consider something or someone as famous when it is a globally recognized name or brand, especially when it still retains its initial originality.
A good item for an illustration is Coca Cola. This soft drink has been around since 1886. It started as a pharmacist brain tonic but has now become a famous global brand that can be found in almost every country of the world.
Merits of being famous
There are several advantages of being famous but I'll mention a few.
Firstly, a famous person enjoys more endorsement deals and benefits. They don't have to struggle or grope for work opportunities rather the work or project would come looking for them.
Secondly, due to the enormous endorsement deals, famous people or brands end up with a lot of money. They use this money to acquire luxury goods which enabled them to live in luxury.
Thirdly, famous people have access to exclusive events and they have a broader scope of influence.
Demerits of being famous
Just like there are advantages, there are also disadvantages to being famous. Some of them are…
Loss of privacy
Most famous people end up losing their privacy. They are always in the spotlight and they also get hounded by paparazzis. Their lives are trailed and followed like a book page by page, chapter by chapter. Dirty laundry gets aired in public due to this and some famous people have been known to commit suicide to end it all.
Another disadvantage is the fact that there is pressure to maintain a reputable global image and this pressure could lead to mental stress and anxiety.
Thirdly, there is the lack of trust towards people. Famous people are usually quite skeptical about letting people into their safe haven. They find it hard being vulnerable with so called close friends and pals.
Lastly, being famous opens people to massive criticism for the slightest error. Some famous people indulge in substance abuse to drown out the stress. Some even lose sleep due to the pressure to keep producing ”something new”.
There's also fear of failure on the part of famous people and brands.
Being famous is good as it gives one a wider scope of influence but finding balance to negate all the disadvantages is paramount.
Thank you all for reading.
Images used are imagined with Meta Ai.