Surprising times when celebrities honestly admitted to loving their fame

There have been numerous times when celebrities have opened up about the constant scrutiny that comes with being under the spotlight.

But to everyone’s surprise, not all stars dislike fame – some genuinely enjoy being the center of attention.

Here are the Hollywood A-listers who have been refreshingly honest about loving fame:

Kim Kardashian

In an appearance on ABC News in 2022, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star candidly told Robin Roberts that when she was younger, she would've done anything to become popular.

"If you were to ask me years ago, when I first started my career, I would have done anything to be famous. I'm so open and honest about the fact that I love being famous,” Kim admitted.

She added, “Some people are made for it better than others. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like I could handle it and if I didn't feel like I was made for it."

Kim shared that she “loves” her life and doesn't consider fame a “negative thing.”

"Now it's definitely not my goal, but I don't mind it. I'm not one to say, like, 'Oh my God, it's so hard.' I knew what I was getting myself into," she stated.

Will Smith

In 2016, Will Smith told Jimmy Kimmel Live about the numerous perks that come with being famous.

He shared an encounter with a fan that made him more grateful for the recognition that he has received.

“It was probably about three weeks ago, and I was driving, and I realized I was on [empty]...I was like, 'Oh no!' So, I was about, you know, 30 minutes from my house, so I pulled into the gas station, and I didn't have my wallet,” the Men in Black actor said.

Will then called his wife, but she needed 30 minutes to reach him, so he looked over and saw a guy.

He continued, "So I kinda rolled the window down...After a couple of minutes, he was like, 'Will?' I was like, 'Yeah, what's up, man? What's up? And he said, 'Hey, man, can I get a picture?' I say, 'Yeah, man, I need about $10.' And he was like, 'Really?’”

The fan was really excited, took a selfie with Will, and lent him the $10.

Taylor Swift

At the 2009 CMA Music Festival, the Blank Space hitmaker said she has her moments but never really feels “tired” of fame.

Taylor shared that since she was a little kid, she used to sit and think about how lucky she would be if someday people cared about the words she wrote.

She added that when you spend so much time “daydreaming” about things like that, and when that actually happens, “you don’t ever complain about it.”

“It's like, when I go to a restaurant, yeah, I know that a line is probably gonna form in front of the table, but didn't I always used to wish for that? Yeah, I did,” the False God songstress said.

Taylor continued, “So, it’s like, I never wanna be the girl who wanted something so bad her whole life, just wanted one thing, and then gets it and complains about it. I’m not gonna be that girl.”

Dwayne Johnson

In 2023, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared with Vanity Fair in a video that people would never hear him complain about fame, as he fully understands it’s a huge blessing that can’t be taken for granted.

He also added that he has lived a life without fame, when no one “gave a s***” and knows what it feels like to be “broke”.

"Hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing about being famous is making people happy,” Dwayne told the publication.

Billie Eilish

In 2019, the Bad Guy hitmaker told Vanity Fair that she likes the life that she has after gaining widespread recognition.

“I like being famous. It's very weird, but it's very cool. I feel like I can say that now because I used to hate it. I hated doing press, and I hated being recognized, and I hated kind of everything that had to do with it,” Billie said of fame.

Although she did acknowledge that there’s a lot in fame that is utterly “gross and miserable,” she has now come to peace with it and is grateful for all that she has.

Henry Cavill

In an honest admission in 2016, Henry Cavill revealed that he’s not just acting for the art – it’s beyond that, and for the lack of a better word, it’s for money.

“The money's fantastic, and that's something which I deem — and again, it is frowned upon — very important,” he said, per Variety.

The Justice League actor added, "You've got to enjoy life! I mean, you've got to. When I'm making money, I'm spending it on nice stuff, whether that be lavish holidays for me and my friends or just seeing something and going in a shop and saying.”

Henry noted that because of the money, he can take care of his loved ones as he likes making “people feel cared for.”

Chris Rock

Chris Rock told The New York Times in 2007 that he “loves being famous.”

“It’s almost like being white, you know?" he joked.

The comedian expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s a great life. I wouldn’t trade it with anybody. Except maybe Will Smith.”

Paul Rudd

Last but not least, Paul Rudd confessed during a 2023 virtual roundtable that he finds it absurdly “boring” when actors complain about how famous they are, because there are some things that are ”kind of nice” about it.

“You get to see lots of different things and you're awarded many opportunities, that's for sure....I probably have become a bit more reclusive [since becoming famous],” Paul said.

Elsewhere during the roundtable, he called it an “honour” to be an actor, as it was his goal and something he has always desired.

The Ant-Man actor concluded by acknowledging the obstacles fame can bring – not just in his life, but also for his children.

“And when they were really little, I got nervous about it, because I just want my children to have a normal life. I would think it would be hard having famous parents. I never knew what that's like. So, my main concerns about it are really just how does it affect them?” Paul noted.