Let’s talk about sex paparazzi photos, baby.
It’s been on our mind for a while, but with the past two days being what they have (you know, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart being snapped kissing and then angrily leaving and arriving at airports) we thought it might be a good time to have a fireside chat about the world of celebrity gossip, paparazzi and fans, a world in which – for better or for worse – we are deeply entrenched.
Pics and paparazzi discussion, below the jump!
Some history: we started writing professionally about celebrity gossip in 2005-2006, back in the good ol’ days of celebrities whoring themselves out for lurking photographers. You remember: Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie, rocking cowboy boots and linking bones arms for leisurely strolls down Robertson Boulevard, or shoving cake into their mouths in silent protest of the eating disorder rumors that swirled around them. Paris Hilton Paris Hiltoning around town. All those vaginas, flashing in the wind. Those were the glory days.
But then everyone went crazy and ended up in jail and rehab and psychiatric wards, and while we still felt a bit awkward staring at the pics of them melting down in Ugg Boots and ratty hair extensions, they had already paved the way for the attention. You can’t nip slip your life away and then get annoyed when people gawk as you get carted off to jail (Paris Hilton, this is your life).
Which brings us to our current conundrum – the Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart situation. Here you have two actors (one of whom normally sticks to low-budget indie dramas and the other who was about to quit the business all together before Twilight rolled around) who fell both into fame and – cheesy writing alert - each others’ arms and are now stuck living out their lives in front of a bunch of taunting stalkers with cameras. Lives that look to be, by all accounts, really effing boring – and we mean that as a compliment. They are the anti-Lohans, and we love it. Being both celebrity gossip bloggers as well as fans of our dear Twi-couple, we’ve had a weird time figuring out the most appropriate way to cover them. In the end we’ve gotta do what makes the most sense to TheFABlife editorially while still striving to maintain some dignity and integrity along the way. (Some, not all.)
We’ve noticed a lot of fan sites seem to operate along this policy: if the pictures are of the happy couple doing happy things, they’ll post them. If they seem invasive or the stars appear upset, they stay away.We respect these guidelines, but we’re curious how this week’s events fit in to the general fandom policy on paparazzi photos. Obviously we reacted to the pics of Robsten kissing in Montreal with a million girl boners and examined them all blown up in Photoshop for hours, analyzing every facial expression and string bracelet. They were on every Twilight blog and Twitter site within seconds of being posted and the general vibe on the web seemed to be “SQUEEE!” Same with everyone’s favorite Parisian hand-holding moment from last fall. But the second Kristen and Rob show up pissed off at the airport (a public place), people freak out about invasive photographers and respecting Rob and Kristen’s privacy.
In the end it seems that if the photo shows something we’re all dying to see, we put aside our morals and melt a bit (let’s admit it once more: that kiss was epic, especially TomStu’s, uh, role). But the juicy photos are just as invasive – if not more so. We’d much rather be photographed in our skinny jeans at the airport than nuzzling with our British boyfriend in a presumably private place while anticipating the bag of delicious French pastries he purchased for us while we were busy making movie magic.
We’ve interviewed both Rob and Kristen while doing press for various movies and they’ve both been polite, pleasant, attentive and thoughtful. That is part of their job as actors promoting a movie, and they do their jobs really well. Contrary to what a photographer shouted to them at LAX yesterday, being famous is not part of their job description, and they’ve done everything in their power to make that clear. But the more they hide, the more their lives continue to be exposed. The couple moves to a house in the middle of nowhere, the paps leak photos of said alleged love-nest all over the web (we found them in about two seconds). When Kristen stumbles at the Moantreal airport there are photographers – and even fans – on hand to capture it.
So what do we fans – and sites that delve into the world of celebrity – do: honor their wishes or satisfy our own? ‘Cause even though it pains us to admit it, the more Robsten pics that come out, the happier we are…even though we know it makes Rob and Kristen absolutely miserable. As long as we’re here clicking on the pics, the photographs are going to be up in their faces. Is it just now a given part of their lives as unwilling A-Listers, or is it totally unfair?
What do you think about this week’s Robsten photos, the paparazzi attention they receive and the role the fans play in all of it? We’d love to hear from you, and the comments section is open to anyone who cares to chime in. Join us! (But please play nice.)
Comments
34 Responses to “Robsten Vs. The Paparazzi: Who Wins?”
I get “the price of fame” and all that, but I sure don’t blame her for flipped them the bird – she should have used both hands, just for good measure (of course her other hand was probably in Rob’s – le sigh). When you see the swarms of people crowding them and shouting at them – it’s got to be pretty awful to be at the center of that kind of attention. Even looking at the “kissing” pic made me feel like a diiiirty Peeping Tom – lol (but of course I clicked the link when it came around – I’m only human).
: /
I think you summed-up our pap-pic policy pretty well. It’s definitely a very fine line to walk, and we do our best to be respectful. But it’s hard to contain the inner fangirl sometimes
Wow, that pretty much sums it all up. Very nice article. Like you said, they are a “real” couple and not celebrity whores like Lohan and the like. They are young and are really trying to have a private life… that’s a normal need, a very human basic need; to be able to be ourselves and not live in a fishbowl. It can cause a lot of physical stress for humans to live in a fish bowl. It’s like they are living in the movie “The Ed Show” with Jim Carey. I feel bad for them because they are really hurting… I can see the pain on their faces. They are normal people, with a not so normal job, that has thrust them into a celebrity status that most actors dream about, but is hard to live with day in and day out with strange paparazzi invading the area around your home, taking pictures that show the inside of your house… In those pictures of their “love nest” that the paps took, I could see inside their bedroom and see their bed and it was not made! It’s a double-edged sword… we are attracted to these two people because we love to see them in love, we love their chemistry together because it’s real, we are addicted to them like a drug because they make us smile, they make us happy which in turn makes them SO popular and also popular to the paparazzi and causes them to be hunted down; which the fans don’t like. We want to see the pics and videos of them because we can’t help ourselves, but we don’t want them to go through being stalked so the paps can get the pictures that we crave. What are we going to do? I do hope now that they are being more open in public that eventually the market will be flooded with their pics and video and the paparazzi stalking will slow down. I can only hope this will happen.
Srsly,I have only 1 thing to say. Yesterday,a paparazzi bought a ticket on the same flight Rob and Kris were.Aren`t there no freaking boundaries anymore?How is that okay?
I mean,whats next?Will some stalkerazzi think they are being very smart and oh I dont know,sit in R/K laps and just snap the freaking pics? *sigh*
Agree. R/k are polite, respectful of their fans, taking photos with them. While being being papped is part of A-listers, these paps are so excessive. Fans would have been satisfied with a few photos of them walking – why shove cameras, mics into their faces & push them around? The video showed so many of them – why not do the network way – assign pools for the day – organized chaos. I so love Kristen very much, tho’ don’t like her flips-just because I want her to project a classy image. She’s epitome of class when on red carpet. Must be her young age, soon tho’ she’ll wisen up and not give the reprehensible paps the satisfaction of a flip. I ADORE Kristen; and the whole ROBSTEN thing very much!
I respect your honesty in this article and you are correct. Here’s MY issue, Its NOT ok for the paps to scream derogatorily comments to these two, Its NOT ok to get literally right in there face a take a pic and its NOT ok to chase them down the dam road. If the paps kept it “classy” I as a fan would not get so pissed at these pics, but they are not classy, they treat these two and other actors like a piece of meat, its wrong and should be illegal. WHY cant they take there pics at events, or red carpets, even I dont mind if there walking down the street as long as it was done classy, but IMO its the WAY they do it, its disgusting.My advise to R and K is to move out of LA ASAP. Thats a haven for the leeches.
I’d like to get all high and mighty about the respect, but I look at all papz pics. Not just Rob and Kristen either. I prefer the long lens and not all up in their face kind, I think it wouldn’t bug me so much if the paps could keep their mouths shut and keep their distance. but in the same vein I dislike the hiding in the bushes complete invasion of privacy kind.
Loved the kiss pics (of course LOL) with those I have to say it happened on a public street so there was no expectation for privacy, but I could mack on my BF on a public street and not have to worry about the whole world seeing it in 2 hrs so I really don’t have the same gauge there.
Seeing photos of their home, celebs outside their home, pics of their cars with visible license plate- now that is never going to be cool no matter who they are or how famous they are.
This is a tough one for sure. The fandom itself is so chock-full of double standards. Robert and Kristen have spoken about the Papparazzi attention in (MANY) interviews, it seems like a staple question of the average budding journo. They both seem content to admit that yes, it is a troubling aspect of their lives, but no, they do not sit at home and moan about it. I seem the remember Kristen saying that she does not get followed that often and that it just *seems* like she does. Apologies if I am misquoting.
I’m not going to pretend that I know how it feels to be in their position and I’m not going to dictate how I think they should deal with it. We live in a celebrity saturated culture and the Twilight franchise has catipulted Robert and Kristen to that coveted A-Lister role. It does come with the territory, but how far is too far? I guess we’ll know when it happens.
Kristen flipping the bird is minor. People just like to get on their high-horse. She is not the first to flip the bird and definitely not the last. Hey, I flip the bird to my best friends. At least she is not going Bjork on their asses. Does she have a reputation to uphold given her celebrity status? Sure. But again, who are we to dictate what that reputation is? We don’t work our jobs 24-7/365. Neither does she.
Personally I think that a lot of people involved in this fandom are in so deep that they cannot see the bigger picture. I respect the fact that some sites choose not to post certain pictures but there is no need to act superior because you’ve personally decided that these particular pap pics/videos are too intrusive to post. I can’t say whether I agree with papparazzi pictures or not. There is obviously a supply and demand and if people want them they are going to get them.
“Robsten” has unintentionally become a brand. Their relationship sells. I get why paps are so hungry for the “money shot”. I enjoyed the moments from Montreal. It was a long time coming to those of us who have followed the couple since Twilight Tuesdays on MTV. I was happy with them but I would have been just as happy without them. But enjoying those pictures and then saying that these airport pictures infringe on their privacy IS a double standard. I for one think that a kiss shared between two people is FAR more private and intimate than exiting an airport. Who decides what is intrusive and what is not?
It’s like Kate said: “if the pictures are of the happy couple doing happy things, theyll post them.” Fair enough. Fans dont want to see their favourite couple pissed off and aggravated. But it happens, people react badly to bad situations. They are human beings after all. We should stop trying to put them on a pedestal and just respect the fact that they are actors, who happen to be celebrities, who happen to be dating, who we do not know in real life.
Again, I’m not really sure how I feel about “intrusive” pap pics. But I don’t get pissed off at sites taking the moral high ground. That is their decision, they run the site, they pay money for that site to run, they can post whatever they want. Is it a double standard? Yes. Is it life threatening? No. Maybe I am too nonchalant about it all. I guess only time will tell.
see, this is a hard one…I agree…I feel SO horrible for them every time I see them so stressed and camera’s clicking like mad, I unfortunately still look at the pictures. I feel guilty everytime I do, but I wont deny I get curious, because we don’t see them often & hadly ever together outside of the on set pictures. With that said…I do think that they signed up for this to some extent… whether they realized it or not. #1 they are actors, receiving nice paychecks and benefits. Whether they are doing low budget or blockbuster films, they chose the profession. I know some people wont agree with me on that and I DO think that their private lives should remain “theirs” (nobody should stake out their homes) but this isnt 1950, so these two had obviously seen other actors in magazines, etc. – they had to know if they were in a movie, they would probably have photographers around at some point. Its unrealistic to think the cameras will only be present when its convenient for them. #2 I think Kristen has created a lot of the frenzy herself. I love her, don’t get me wrong…but other popular actors/actresses live relatively normal lives because they dont act above it all or create the media hype by refusing to answer questions, acknowlege their relationships or whatever. If K/R had just acted like a normal couple from the get go and just said “yeah, we’re together…next question…”, photographers probably wouldn’t be chasing them non-stop trying to get the money shot and fans wouldn’t be so crazed to see the one photo of them kissing. Look at the MTV awards – all the other winners have always kissed. If they’d just done it and moved on, it wouldn’t be such a big deal but they chose to drag out the hype. Zach Efron is pretty popular and Vanessa had nudey shots out there for goodness sakes… I don’t see the papz chasing them like this because they don’t hide, they answer questions and they just go about their lives without 007 hiding tactics. Same with a lot of other really famous actors/couples. What they both need are really good PR people and handlers. Someone to help them navigate this media frenzy. Things like Rob standing out in the dark begging photogs to leave him alone should NEVER have had to happen if he had someone looking out for him. My heart literally broke when I saw that. They also need someone to teach them how to handle papz & interviews. They don’t need to look so uncomfortable everytime they speak – there are professionals that can help them with mock question/answers. I am sure the well polished Taylor L. has those people, judging by how he acts in public. I also think (for the most part) fans are very respectful. Aside from the few crazies, most ask nicely for photos and don’t attack them – as it should be. Fans are also usually really respectful about not tweeting locations & such, which to me shows that R/K fans are concerned about their privacy and safety. They are certainly not the first famous people out there and eventually the excitement surrounding them will die down and some new “it coupe” will take their place. They should try to enjoy it while it lasts, even though it can be inconvenient. You know the old saying “No publicity is bad publiity”. When people stop caring about them, that is when they will miss the attention (and the great roles that are probably being offered to them right now). Wouldn’t it be nice if they could come up with a “fishing permit” system for papz LOL? Where they were only allowed so many and then got a fine? Again, I don’t think pictures should be snapped at home or thru hotel windows, but I don’t see a problem with taking pictures of them at the airport….If they are in a car or some other place where snapping camera lights can be dangerous, then there needs to be some rules to protect them. Sorry so winded.. Just my opinion though
In my book Rob and Kristen win! They have kept what they share (their dating life) a secert for a very long time, and had lots of people guessing.
They have snuck past the PAPS many times without being snapped, and have talked about it.
Kristen is not shy about giving sign language to the PAPS on what she thinks of them.
Plus they have not gone insane from all the crap the PAPS have put them through, and that is amazing!
Go Rob and Kristen!
So I am just as guilty as the next person by stealing a glance from time to time of pap pics, however I will/have never bought a rag that pays these rats to stalk celebs. The sad truth is, the paps will keep shooting Rob and Kristen so long as we (the fans) keep looking.
Perhaps we (the fans) should ask ourselves “why are we looking at these pics?”. Some fans want to feel like they “know” them, to feel like they’re “friends” with them. Well if they “were” really “your” friends would you advocate paps harrassing, following and photographing them?
Are friends of Rob and Kristen’s people who waste time obsessing over media fodder? Ummm…no…. they are not. These kids surround themselves with people who have lives and live them!
I have to suspect that if they were able to speak their minds they’d tell people who view these pics to “get a life and live it”. Just my perspective.
Fantastic article. Finally. Rare to see a gossip site with these kinds of thoughts. I am a huge Robsten fan and I am constantly conflicted about wanting to see pics of them, yet wanting them to have their privacy. It’s when the line is crossed that it really, really ticks me off. Like when Rob was followed around all day several weeks ago when he went to the movies and then the party. That was hideous. Or at the airport in LA when the woman pap is running in front of them with a camera flashing in their faces. Like other people have said, can you imagine if people did that to you everywhere you went? I don’t care that they are celebrities. They are still people, just like you and me. They didn’t ask for it. Rob and Kristen are the most laid back young stars I’ve ever seen. They don’t flaunt their wealth or fame at all. I think that’s part of what makes so many of us adore them. Anyway, just had to put in my 2 cents. It gets repetitive after a while, especially when you follow as many sites as I do, but I really thought this article deserved a comment. Well done.
By the way, these are some of the best, well thought out comments I’ve ever read regarding Robsten. Bravo! Some of the people posting on Monday on some sites were downright psychotic and threatening.
YYikes, FabLife – get out of my head – although I don’t think I could’ve written it so well. Thanks for the eloquent post!
Any fan who compulsively typed dozens of websites for every possible news item related to Moantreal (raising my hand) needs to acknowledge his/her part in feeding the paparazzi frenzy. [By the way, I saw his left hand holding the bag during the kiss - where was the other? That's driving me crazy]
Let’s just admit that while Twilight/Robsten fans have contributed greatly to their success, many of those same fans are also the ones helping to drive the intrusion into their personal lives. There’s one cool lady online who says she feels absolutely no guilt about gushing over these photographs of her favorite couple. I don’t agree with her, but at least she’s at peace with it and knows her part!
I’ve been bewildered by a lot of the fan reaction, especially posts along the lines of, “Well, now that’s it confirmed, let’s hope they have some privacy” or “Good, now that’s done, the paparazzi can leave them alone.” As if somehow this is just a movement that’s happening, and not related to what we do and post and buy and search for. Or that were just going to stop looking at and refreshing our favorite sites to see if there are more pics. Its only going to get CRAZIER.
As KStew herself put it in an interview with Londons Telegraph, “I wouldnt tell you anything about anybody I cared about because it becomes entertainment for other people, and it sort of just cheapens everything in your life…”
So, yeah, its my entertainment. I know theyre not a living Edward and Bella, but they seem like a cool pair of 20-somethings I would hang with, and go see shows of indie music, and get lunch at Swingers on Beverly if I werent trying to act like a responsible adult in my 30s.
I win, the paparazzi taking the photos win, and Robsten lose for a little while.
I believe the paps need to back off. Both Rob and Kristin should be allowed to live their personal lives without all of the interference of the paps. If they wanted to be photographed they would do a talk show or interview or something like that. I think it is just ridiculous that the paps get away with all of the harassment they do. I really appreciated your article on this topic. Kristin should have used both fingers!!!!
Someone once said, “You don’t go out the front exit of Lax unless you want to be papped”. There are other exits for celebrities at these busy airports. Why didn’t Robsten use one of those? They have flown before without being seen.
I used to feel sorry for them. But now..really? Who “makes out” in the shadows on a street if they want their lives to be so private? It’s quite obvious that these two are nothing more than attention whores.They only start whining when things don’t go their way. Seriously ask yourself this: How much attention did that movie set OTR get before Pattinson showed up? You got it. They know exactly what they are doing.From now on, I plan on only following actors that are talented, and mature. Attributes that neither Pattinson, nor Stewart possess.
Rob and Kristen know the paparazzi will be at the airports and they know they are being stalked by them. They hate and we hate it, seeing how unhappy and angry it obviously makes them.
They are hugely popular right now- TODAY. Regardless of the “kissing photos”, Rob and kristen still do NOT have to say a work about their private lives. This crap is the BIG downside to their lives. I daresay they have privacy, they just have to be “More creative” as Rob says. It was inevitable that one day these “kissing” photos would surface.
One day the paparazzi will be gone. There will be new stars to take their place. The paps will be chasing them. R & K will breathe a sigh of relief. Hopefully, they will still have good careers by then.
You know what bothers me with Kristen, is that she is so immature. I mean I know they are a pain, but the middle finger?? Please show some class, you noticed how Rob never does that?
Great article. I found the pics by accident. I felt embaressed and very bad fpr trhe 2 of
them. It was as if I looked into a window and saw something I know I shouldn’t have.
I wonder if the kiss was actually meant for the pap that has trailed them for the last 3
years!!
I agree with MARLEY13…
I agree that the paps will keep on chasing Rob and Kristen as long as their fans are dying to know everything about them. Still, it’s scary to think that now that it’s as if they’ve decided to stop hiding their romance–and I, for one, didn’t need to see pics of them nuzzling or even kissing to know that they’re a couple since that powerful chemistry between them has to come from somewhere; it’s so strong we can almost touch it, right?–these two very shy, vulnerable young people might be forced to leave Hollywood completely or, worse, lose their way and end up like Heath Ledger and River Phoenix, gifted young actors who overindulged because of too much success, too soon. No one cared enough to really protect them from the hazards of fame, and the paps aren’t really the worst of those hazards, though they’re close to the worst. I just pray Rob and Kristen are stronger mentally and emotionally than they seem.
I really wish the paps would understand that fans of Rob and Kristen don’t want pics of them looking pissed, tearful and straight-faced. I prefer pics of them at events as they smile and often because they are more “open” and smiling. Listen up, paps!!!
Rob and Kristen are human beings trying to live life the only way they know how. I do think there should be some law to protect people from exposure like the paparazi. Look what happened to Lady Di. People get hurt all the time because of the pap and even though we live in a free country, there needs to be a line drawn somewhere that says, you have overstepped your boundaries. I think that fans would have a better chance at getting pictures and autographs because then they wouldn’t need all that much security.. Why can’t we respect privacy of others. treat others as you would want to be treated!! There has to b e a way to stop this. Maybe if all the actors and actresses joined together against them, and opened up a website where they could communicate with the fans in a way that would shut to paps money off… Kristen and Rob take a pic together kissing… write a diary of the day to day stuff they are doing….. I could see this working somehow… =-)
You hit the nail on the head. Best article I read so far as regards Robsten vs paps, honest and real.
Oh, it should be honest, unbiased, and real.
Thank you all for your very interested feedback and thoughts. It’s definitely an ongoing discussion and a gray area. In fact, I just saw some more photos of Rob and Kristen’s house, including on that shows their bed, and am so far against posting. What do you think. Do you want to see where they live?
this article is exactly how im feeling. torn. i love rob and kristen together so ofcousre when i hear “breaking robsten news” i have to look and see. its like a involuntary reaction. the kiss pics did make me happy but then i was like omg thats so creepy you never know whos watching you at any moment. then when theres no news about them i yearn for more pics but feel bad after because its like im incourage the papz… and the fans really really love them but maybe they are the ones who sometimes help the paps unknowingly with their fan pics and twitter. ugh idk they want their fans to be happy so i say i just want them to be happy. i admire kristen alot. i think people forget that even though shes a huge star now that shes only 20 which is still young. i think she handles her self the best way she can. and if someone told me to “quit acting if i dont like papz” i would give them to bird too. i think the only way things will get better is if california (first) change the laws so that it reinforces privacy from papz.
you know i was about to give my opinion and then i thought it really will not matter because people will be who and what there are and just like kristen stated no matter what is said people will put their own spin on it!! SORRY KRISTEN and ROBERT and HOPE YOU DO FIND SO KIND OF PEACE!!
Thanks for the really good article FabLife. I have loved Rob and Kristen since 2008 and have always rooted for them on and off screen. It’s cool to see a celebrity blog site open up discussion about this…
I am not going to get on my high horse and pretend I don’t love most of the pics I have seen of Rob and Kristen (including pap shots). I will likely be one of the first on Twitter to pen the OMGs and the SQUEEEEs as soon as something huge happens, like Paris hand holding or Quebec smooching.
However, I get sick to my stomach when I see pics and videos that show the two of them upset, harassed and chased. When Rob was chased and followed a few weeks ago in California I kept thinking to myself: DUDES! Stop following him, he’s a bad enough driver as it is-don’t make him crash!! LOL I mean seriously though, Princess Di 1997 anyone?
I agree with a gossip blogger that wrote about this once. She said, all of us have crappy aspects to our jobs. This is theirs. It won’t be forever. When Breaking Dawn is done and out of theaters I imagine it will get infinitely better, because the tween faction is fickle and will move on to something else, leaving the smart and classy twenty somethings like myself *cough cough* to obsess.
I have to say this to “K” on here in the comments. It is LUDICROUS to suggest that this would all get better if only Rob and Kristen provided the photos for us. WHAT??? What do Rob and Kristen owe us outside of doing a good job acting in the movies we are paying to see…NADA. A diary of their daily lives??? Ummmm no.
I will say this though, the paps won’t be a problem anymore if a golden child is ever conceived and born. Imagine the death gamma ray glares that any pap snapping pics of their kid would face. Might as well call in sick that day pap dude.
I think it is a high price to pay to be a celebrity. That’s what happens when you are famous. Flipping the finger was not a classy move. It only hurts her image.
There are anti-stalking laws in California that apparently are not being enforced.
Celebreties could refuse to make more movies until these laws are obeyed.
They could go on strike!
Where to begin? First, this was a thoughtful and well written article which makes one think. Here’s my 2 cents. I think no one has the right to judge how Rob and Kristen handle their lives. They have no idea what its like to walk in their shoes. To know that whenever you leave your house that papz are going to be tailing you a$$ and in your face. I think papz completely cross the line when they shout horrible things just to get a negative reaction out of stars (not just R & K). They treat them like objects, not real human beings with real human emotions. How would you feel if a crowd of photographers got a camera within an inch from your face (talk about invasion of personal space!) and at the same time was shouting a bunch of rude negative sh*t just to make you react? And you knew they were just doing it to get money? Would you be smiling?! Hell no! All things considered, I think Rob and Kristen handle it pretty well.
What is even more concerning is finding out where someone lives and invading what is suppose to be your place of sanctuary, your home. Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own home for God’s sake. And then to post it all over the Web where anyone fans/papz/psychos alike can come stalk you?!
I don’t agree with people that say “well they’re actors, this is what they signed up for.” Like being an actor means you have to give the public your entire life? Give me a break. I understand that there are definitely stars who love that attention they get outside of work. Well that is there choice, they go to places where they will be seen. Rob and Kristen have stated they like to keep their private lives private (which they have every right). They do as best as they can to keep private. Everyone has a right to have some privacy. Regardless of what profession they have.
As for fan contribution, it is a double edged sword for sure. Do I get upset when I see invasive pics or read stories about how horrible that papz are? Of course. Did I also squee when I saw the kissing pics in Montreal? Of course! I think the line with papz (at least for me) is to NOT follow stars to their private homes, to NOT yell rude sh*t just for a negative reaction, to NOT get within an inch of someones face, and to NOT relentlessly hound someone where they obviously are causing a lot of distress. This is what really really concerns me: Anyone remember what happened to Princess Diana when she was trying to get away from the papz? I hope nothing like that has to happen to any star for something to be done about these hard core papz who DO NOT give a sh*t about anything except getting the “money shot.” They do not care that stars are human beings at all. Papz are disgusting scum with absolutely NO moral compass. For them its about greed and money.
Sorry for the long novel!
After reading the comments here, I’m so glad to see that no one here really blamed Kristen for her nasty finger gesture to the paps after she and Rob got into their car at LAX. Knowing how honest and up front she can be, she clearly couldn’t help showing those paps what she thought of them, not so much for taking photos during R & K’s personal time, but for the paps shouting that R & K should get out of acting if they didn’t want their photos taken. Talk about a chicken or the egg argument! I mean, without R & K and other celebs those paps wouldn’t have so-called jobs. Those paps should really be arrested because very likely a lot, if not all, of them are committing a crime like, say, photographing without a license. Still, who am I to rant about those pesky paps when as soon as I saw that E! online’s Ted C. posted pics of R & K’s lovenest, I immediately headed to that site to join other curious fans.
If Rob & Kristen are hurting, then I’m at fault, too.
I don’t think flipping the finger hurts her image at all.
I think if she punched one of the PAPS for taking her picture would have really hurt her image. Like example: Cameron Diaz attacking PAPS physically was not classy, and Brit Spears with that umbrella and the car. Oh yeah!
Middle finger is nothing!
I think you said it really well – it is a conundrum. I love seeing pics of them, too. I see this in two ways: 1) I do think there ought to be stronger laws on the books that are enforced with the paps. In addition to not being able to stake out their homes, some other examples would be that they have to remain at least 25 feet from their subject at all times, can’t approach a car, must be licensed and registered by the state, no lewd talk or harassment, and absolutely no following celebs in cars. Start fining these people and I’m sure some of this behavior will change. Plus, we need the money in California (jk – sort of!) These kinds of rules would help keep celebs out of danger that they could be in as a result of these paps getting so aggressive. The second approach would be with the celebs themselves. Can’t they require private planes or back exits out of airports? It does seem like a lot of celebs get around more discreetly than these two. Of course, I don’t know if it is because they are so in demand right now or just novices at this game. It does seem like they should be getting some good advice about how to be a little more under the radar, if that is what they are looking to do. All that being said, there is a price to fame. Just like with anything in life, you have to take the good with the bad. Personally, I would take the millions of dollars and the opportunities they are given for some flash bulbs going off in my face every now and then and some short term loss of privacy. This won’t go on forever, as many have said. I’m sure it is inconvenient, but they seem like bright individuals who will make it through this crazy time in their lives.