To anyone who is a celebrity or knows one, what are the pros and cons? How did your life change?

I was in a documentary about crime and corruption in my hometown. It has gone international, and I've become a local celebrity. I get recognized quite a bit.

There are a few bad things to consider. First, I will meet fans everywhere. Not that it happens every 5 minutes, but it can happy at anytime. Walking to the store looking like crap with my hair uncombed and a 5 o clock shadow when suddenly, "OMG you were in that movie on netflix!!" Now I'm forced into pretending to care about their opinion on the movie (I know that sounds harsh but I'm sorry, I just don't care after the umpteenth millionth peson). Then I have to have a fake smile on while I answer questions about the filming, and the topic, and any other aspects they are curious about (I always answer these though, the message of the movie is important to me). If I'm lucky it will be over in 15 minutes.

Then there's the issue of avoiding a panic attack when you see your own face in high definition about 50 feet tall in front of a theater full of people. Those damn things amplify every negative aspect of your body. (The camera adds 10 pounds to your neck alone, I swear). I have second guessed my fashion choices every time I seen it for years. I cringe at the thought of how I looked. I don't know how actors do it. It really takes a lot of self confidence that I don't have.

The reporters can be relentless. Every jerkoff with a radio show or deadline for a news article will find your Facebook and send you messages. I have to be wary of new friend requests, and check them out before accepting.

I hate to be so negative but it can be a real pain. I try not to let new acquaintances know, but they always find out. Then, after a month of knowing somebody they see you one day after a night of watching Netflix with their SO and they give you a real long gaze, the kind of gaze that is unmistakable. They saw it, and unfortunately this means I will be answering a lot of questions in the next few days. I always know when this has happened before they say it. ALWAYS. The eyes are enough.

A big part of me just wants to be a normal dude, I hate the attention.

/r/AskReddit Thread