Being one of the most famous and recognizable people in the world may be attractive to some, but it also sounds exhausting. Paul McCartney he is often surrounded by fans, but he also wants live as normal as possible. On a vacation in France, he disguised himself to avoid being recognized. Although many did not recognize him, Paul McCartney was rejected by a club for not having the prestigious status of him.
Paul McCartney dressed up while on holiday in France
In an interview with Chris Hardwick on his ID10T podcast, Paul McCartney talked about the downsides of being incredibly famous. He said that fame can often be overwhelming. After getting fed up, he decided to take a trip to France but remain in disguise for the holidays.
“I got sick of fame after the first few years, around the time we did the movie A hard day’s Night. There were makeup people and I said, ‘Give me a costume. Think of a costume. So they gave me a bit of a mustache, bought me glasses that weren’t so cool, and pulled my hair back. I went on vacation to France. I pushed myself to get out of it all. I had a nice little Aston Martin, and I just drove around France, and I loved the experience.”
Paul McCartney was turned away from a club with his costume on
While international fame has its drawbacks, there are benefits that can make the experience worthwhile. For example, people get automatic entry to any club or restaurant, often by skipping the line. Paul McCartney lost this benefit when he tried to go to a French club wearing his costume.
“There was a night where I wanted to go to a club,” McCartney shared. “There was a little thing there. There was no entertainment at the hotel he was at. It was a small cheap hotel. So, I went to the club. As the guy in the costume, there was no way he was going in. I said, ‘S’il vous plaît?’ and he said: ‘No, no, no…’ So I went back to the hotel, I came back as him. Oui, oui, sir. Enter. That proves the point. It’s a mixed blessing.”
McCartney prefers not to take pictures with fans
Many celebrities often take pictures with fans or sign autographs. However, after many years of doing so, McCartney explained why he doesn’t like to take pictures because the non-famous version of himself wouldn’t do that. He likes to be normal Paul when he’s out in public.
“I tell people, ‘Look, happy to chat with you. Handshake. Let’s just talk,'” McCartney said. “And someone said, ‘You spend more time with them than you do for a photo. Why don’t you take a picture and be done with it? I said: ‘Because he steals from me.’ You know, I’m not this guy that I think I am on the inside. I’m that guy on the poster. I hold on to that more than a lot of people.”
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