Robbie Williams says fan photos can trigger anxiety and cause ‘discomfort’
Robbie Williams has opened up about the discomfort and anxiety he feels when interacting with strangers.
In a series of screenshots posted to Instagram on Thursday, the British singer shared his feelings on being approached for photos with fans while out in public.
“Every interaction – with strangers or even people I know well – fills me with discomfort,” admitted the former Take That member. “I mask it well. But social interaction still frightens me,” he said, adding that the fear kept him from going out for years.
Williams said he was writing his thoughts while on a domestic flight in the United States, having been approached three times by his fellow passengers.
“One of them handed me a lovely note… and then asked for a photo,” he said, adding that he wrote back explaining he had been “up since 4:30 a.m., had two hours’ sleep, and wrangled four kids through the airport.”
“I explained that if they came and took a photo with me, my anxiety would spike – because then the whole cabin would start wondering who I am.”
After the first request, another fan asked for a photo and Williams responded with a similar note. “(I) said that when we land, I’ll be trying to shepherd four children… I just hoped the note might be enough.”
As he was writing the second note, a third passenger walked up to him and asked for a photo “outright” – to which the singer said he obliged.
Though he sees it as being a “service” to make others happy, Williams criticised the expectation that celebrities should be “accessible 24/7” to the public.
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“I reckon over fifty per cent – probably much more – couldn’t name one of my albums, let alone say they’ve bought a ticket to a show,” he added, saying it was “off” to think that everyone who asks for a photo has had a hand in his success. “They’re no more fans of me than they are of the Leaning Tower of Pisa or Big Ben. They’re fans of fame.”
Williams, however, didn’t want to deter true fans from making their feelings known if they spot him in public.
“If we cross paths in the wild and you are a fan of me, I want you to tell me. That means a lot,” wrote the Angels singer. “But here’s an open question: do you think there should be a limit to how many people can access you in a day?”
Williams, whose biographical musical drama A Better Man released last year, said he panics “every time” a stranger approaches him, noting he can have 20 such daily interactions on average – and they’re not always positive.
“What if I’m having a challenging mental health day – is it okay if I don’t want that captured by a stranger?” he asked, adding that there might be some personal reasons why he’s “sad” and doesn’t want to “perform.”
The post was filled with sympathetic comments, including from other famous faces.
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“This made me cry… thank you for being vulnerable and saying how you feel,” wrote Paris Hilton.
“Impeccably articulate on this. I’ve struggled terribly my whole career with the same,” commented singer Paloma Faith.
Earlier this month, Williams revealed that he had been diagnosed with scurvy, a vitamin deficiency. He also spoke about struggles with his mental health, including anxiety and depression.
Williams is set to kick off a tour in May that will take him to the United Kingdom, Ireland and the rest of Europe through the summer.
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