Robbie Williams Shares His Thoughts on Fan Interactions
Robbie Williams discussed the “discomfort” he experiences when fans approach him for photographs.
Explaining His Anxieties
After taking to Instagram, Williams penned an emotional note for his fans, expressing his “gratitude” while also shedding light on his anxieties regarding public interactions: “This is not a complaint, this is context.”
Touching upon the “unspoken law” that celebrities should always be accessible, he recounted a recent domestic flight across the United States, where a fan handed him a “beautiful note” and requested a photograph. “I explained that since 4:30, I hadn’t slept for two hours, and was navigating the airport with four children. I have bags under my eyes and I struggle with anxiety,” he mentioned in his lengthy post.
“I explained that if they come and take a photo with me, my anxiety will spike – because then everyone will start to wonder who I am.” The singer of “Angels” remarked that this scenario would intensify his “already overwhelming” feelings of concern.
“These days I view it as a ministry,” he remarked about taking photos with fans. “If it brings someone joy—and I can help facilitate that—then I will do my best. I’ve not always felt that way, but I’m working on it.” He further elaborated that he feels a responsibility to greet all fans, as if he were “the mayor of a city he once visited,” ensuring they leave happy.
“Otherwise, it’s just awkward,” he added. “There’s no in-between.” Williams acknowledged that many of the people he meets “couldn’t name one of my albums, let alone that they’ve bought a ticket to my show,” yet he expressed: “If we cross paths in public, and you’re a fan, I want you to tell me. It means a lot to me. I’m grateful for it. It warms my heart when I know I’ve warmed yours.”
He concluded his heartfelt post, which you can read in full, by stating that meeting fans fills him with “discomfort.”
“I hide it well,” Williams wrote. “But social interactions still frighten me. So much so that I’ve avoided them for many years. I had to retrain myself on how to interact, and I had to do it without drugs or alcohol. I used to find it virtually impossible—now I strive to make it work. But I still feel like retreating sometimes.”
His struggles with depression and substance abuse have been well documented, highlighted during his rapid rise to fame and described in the recent biographical film, Best Person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcaojvkpks
Last year, Williams discussed his biographical film, where he and director Michael Grace reflected on its concept and how it developed during their time together.
When Gracie first asked Williams what animal he thought he would be, Williams told NME: “A lion. I’m continuously trying to build my self-esteem each day.” When Grace humorously suggested he might be a “monkey,” Williams agreed and embraced the concept, stating, “I am a daring monkey, right?”
“If they asked on Family Fortunes, ‘We surveyed 100 people: What animal is Robbie Williams?’ I think people who don’t dislike me would probably say, ‘He’s a monkey.’”
Williams, who is set to perform alongside the highly anticipated Oasis reunion, humorously referred to his tour as “nostalgia on steroids.”
“Liam’s voice is incredible,” he added. “He has been and still is the voice of a generation. I believe this will be a significant moment for the British public—and for Manchester. I hope it brings healing for everyone involved.”
In other news, Robbie Williams recently revealed he was diagnosed with a condition he referred to as the “pirate disease of the 17th century.”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-opens-up-about-feeling-anxiety-and-discomfort-when-interacting-with-fans-in-public-3856051?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=robbie-williams-opens-up-about-feeling-anxiety-and-discomfort-when-interacting-with-fans-in-public
