Famous people are normal people too.
There are countless videos and stories of famous people granting meetings and giving hugs and they're always heartwarming. So don't be afraid to say hi to your favorite high-profile personality if given the chance!
Redditor u/owen__wilsons__nosewanted to hear all about the times many of us have come face to face with the famous we love by asking:
Who's the most famous person you've interacted with?
I've met a few solid celebrity folks. My favorite being the glorious Joanna Lumley from "AB FAB" fame. She was kind and generous and just as funny as you'd hope she'd be. The complete opposite of her fabulous but hideous character of Patsy. I love you Joanna!
Coffee with Tom
"I had a coffee with Tom Hardy once before he got really famous. It was back in the very early 2000s when he still a struggling actor in London. Seriously nice dude."
"Can confirm he is a nice dude - met him on his birthday, a few years back when he was famous, outside work. Took the time out to have a convo and take pics."
"Seriously, such a nice and confident man. Even though he was trying to hide behind his beak cap - when he noticed I recognised him he still came up to me and spent about 5 minutes with me and my friend. Felt sorry for his wife as she was waiting around."
GC
sandra bullock stars GIFGiphy"George Clooney - Chill, friendly guy but the most jarring thing was that the tan is 100% fake."
Good Harry
"My wife's aunt used to own a store in a small town where movies were often filmed. One day a man and woman came in and approached the counter. The woman wanted some specific item, but the aunt wasn't sure if they carried it. After a few questions the man said he was going to look around the shop. Once he was out of earshot, the aunt said, "Your husband looks exactly like Harrison Ford!" The woman said, "Yes, that's because he is Harrison Ford."
"solid choice"
"I work at a luxury skin care store. Met lots of celebs but my favourite was Jake Gyllenhaal. He was holding an empty cup of ice cream from a local place. I got ballsy and asked him which flavor he got. He said " cookies and cream" to which I replied "solid choice", he then deeply looked into my soul with his beautiful eyes and said "I don't mess around". Praising myself to this day for keeping it professional."
- julesD00
The Climber
GIF by bublyGiphy"Michael Buble was my youth rock climbing coach/instructor."
"Come climb with me let's climb, let's climb away."
- xLiquidx
I'm so happy when hot guys are nice, are those are some hot guys. I love coffee and ice cream. Someone please tell Tom and Jake. I'm waiting by the phone.
Uncle
Doc Brown GIF by Back to the Future TrilogyGiphy"Christopher Lloyd. He was my ex-wife's uncle. Came to our wedding. Super nice guy."
Hey May
"My ex-wife was good friends with Floyd Mayweather Sr. He and his wife would hang out with us on occasion and I did the brakes on their minivan. Really nice guy but you could tell he got hit in the head one too many times. I never met his son though."
Defoe
"I met Willem Defoe at a film fest when The Lighthouse came out. I goofed on him by appreciating his performance as Green Goblin in Batman. Then after we watched the film there was an after party event at a museum which I got there pretty early for and Willem showed up early as well. We got to chat a bit and I have to say he's a really nice guy. Also earlier that day I bought an old Tom Clancy book from a thrift store and dropped out of the pages was a mint condition movie ticket for Saving Private Ryan when it was in theaters back in 1998."
"I was telling someone that at this party since I still had the book on me and they freaked out going "Holy crap! Willem Defoe was in that movie! You should get him to sign it!!" I asked if they were sure because that didn't sound right and they were certain. So I approached Willem for a third time that night and got his autograph on the back of the movie ticket."
"Wellll I found out almost immediately after since I decided to Google it that he was not in fact in Saving Private Ryan. It was Platoon that the person I was talking to was thinking of. The ticket still sits in the Tom Clancy book today! I only read the first chapter, really need to get around to reading it 😅 Edit: Here's the Proof! https://imgur.com/a/hdO88gn"
People Share Which Social Norms Absolutely Baffle Them | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
"I got this"
"I was ice skating in NYC at Rockefeller Center and Conan was having lunch in one of the restaurants that face the rink. I took a nasty fall and Conan stands up, applauds and laughs hysterically at me. After I am done skating, I am walking thru the concourse at Rock Center, stop at a Starbucks and order a coffee. The guy behind me puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "I got this." It was Conan. He apologized for laughing at me, buys me a $50 gift card and then calls his assistant who got me a car to drive me home."
The Best
Love You Kiss GIFGiphy"Robin Williams during an early Ride for the Roses. I was working the shop space and he needed snacks. I just gave them to him."
SAUSAGES...
"Nick Offerman. It was my bachelor party and we happen to be eating at the same bratwurst restaurant. As he was leaving we asked if he was open to take some pictures. I had asked him if he had any marriage advice. And this is what he said. 1. You're doing the right thing. 2. She is always right. 3. EAT LOTS OF SAUSAGES."
Idol
"I spilled my drink on Billy Idol. He didn't notice. I was standing behind him at the time. Somebody bumped into me and about half the liquid in my cup splashed on his back. He was wearing a leather jacket, so he didn't feel it. I casually walked away."
"ETA: I was horrified when the drink got on him. I expected him to turn around, real angry. I had just enough time to think "Oh well, getting my a@s kicked by Billy Idol will be a good story at least." When I realized he didn't notice, I thought I'd best be going.
Warped
winning sugar ray GIF by The Meredith Vieira ShowGiphy"I met Mark McGrath at Warped Tour. He spilled HIS daiquiri on me, and then bought me one because he felt bad and/or he thought it was my drink. He was very drunk. I was 17."
Royalty...
"Prince! He was at a professional salsa contest, at a place called, The Mayan, early 2000s. I ran up to him after, in my heels, stopped in front of him, two huge bodyguards on each side, but I froze. He looked at me and said..."you're adorable", they kept walking. Lol!"
"I met him twice. Used to work at The Beverly Hills Hotel and he was a guest. First time, I was called to his room to help him set up his in-room studio gear. We didn't chat at all (he actually stayed in the small anteroom and didn't come out. It was about 10 pm and I had just ended my shift, made a special trip to come back when the concierge called me).
"He just said "thank you" softly from behind a door when I told him I was finished. A couple weeks later I get a call from the concierge telling me Mr Armstrong (that was the name he used) asked for me by name. Went to his private bungalow, he warmly greeted me and I helped connect his laptop to WiFi."
Sir David!
"I was a student picking up waitering jobs in London. I worked a shift at the British museum where they were opening a new exhibit. The Queen was invited to come and open the exhibit. There was a lot of buzz about the Queen coming, and security was everywhere. However the real VIP in attendance was Sir David Attenborough. I saw him inconspicuously arrive and slip into the crowd. I went straight up to him and offered him a drink."
"Just as I spoke to him the Queen was announced and everyone started to line up to be greeted (like that scene from Mr Bean). So he turned and said to me "I don't want to be caught with a drink in my hand by the queen" and he chuckled. The Queen only spoke a single word to everyone except when she got to him. She stopped and they chatted and laughed for 5 minutes before she continued down the line. Sir David, what a legend!"
She loves my shoes!!
"Hell if I know. I am NOTORIOUS for not recognizing celebrities. It's why my boss sent me on all the runs involving famous people. Now I did recognize Dolly Parton immediately so I'll go with her. She was always so awesome. She always got a kick out of my shoes lol. "Girl I don't know how you run up and down steps all day totin' them bags!"
"(I was big on those towering platform shoes that were popular in those days. They actually weren't bad at all to run around in 13 hours a day while toting massive hotbags full of food.)"
Tiny Dancer
elton john b-b-b-b-b-benny and the jets GIFGiphy"I met Elton John on a plane. People don't believe me because, why tf would Sir Elton be flying commercial. He bought every ticket in first class and when I walked by I did a double take and he gave me a smile and a nod."
The Giant!
"I was a teenage boy in the nineties with a backstage pass to a wrestling show. Big Show asks me, ever so politely, to get him and the announcer guy some cigarettes. I'm too young to buy cigarettes. I don't know where to buy cigarettes. But when a freaking GIANT asks for cigarettes, you figure out a way. I ran across the parking lot of the packed Silverdome arena to the gas station to buy cigarettes. He shook my hand for it and gave me entirely too much for a tip along with an autograph that I was too intimidated to ask for. Great dude."
So Humble...
"J Cole... This was a few months before he dropped 2014 FHD. He basically had a free concert in my city and after the concert My friend and I went to restaurant to watch a fight and have dinner. 20 mins later J Cole walked in and both us freaked out. He and his manger Ib noticed and joined us at the bar to watch the fight and have dinner. One of the best hour of my life. He covered for our dinner and appreciated the convo we had. I ended up meeting him again 4 years later and he still remembered me. One of the most humble guys I've ever met."
Speeder...
Keanu Reeves Reaction GIFGiphy"Keanu Reeves stayed at my mom's bed and breakfast for a weekend in the mid 90's. He was traveling with his band before shooting speed. He was awesome, we showed him around town and played video games together."
It's always encouraging when the ones we idolize are worth the worship. Never forget where you came from, a motto some of them seem to remember. And God Bless Robin Williams.
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Experiencing death is a fascinating and frightening idea.
Who doesn't want to know what is waiting for us on the other side?
But so many of us want to know and then come back and live a little longer.
It would be so great to be sure there is something else.
But the whole dying part is not that great, so we'll have to rely on other people's accounts.
Redditor AlaskaStiletto wanted to hear from everyone who has returned to life, so they asked:
"Redditors who have 'died' and come back to life, what did you see?"
Sensations
Happy Good Vibes GIF by Major League SoccerGiphy"My dad's heart stopped when he had a heart attack and he had to be brought back to life. He kept the paper copy of the heart monitor which shows he flatlined. He said he felt an overwhelming sensation of peace, like nothing he had felt before."
PeachesnPain
Recovery
"I had surgical complications in 2010 that caused a great deal of blood loss. As a result, I had extremely low blood pressure and could barely stay awake. I remember feeling like I was surrounded by loved ones who had passed. They were in a circle around me and I knew they were there to guide me onwards. I told them I was not ready to go because my kids needed me and I came back."
"My nurse later said she was afraid she’d find me dead every time she came into the room."
"It took months, and blood transfusions, but I recovered."
good_golly99
Take Me Back
"Overwhelming peace and happiness. A bright airy and floating feeling. I live a very stressful life. Imagine finding out the person you have had a crush on reveals they have the same feelings for you and then you win the lotto later that day - that was the feeling I had."
"I never feared death afterward and am relieved when I hear of people dying after suffering from an illness."
rayrayrayray
Free
The Light Minnie GIF by (G)I-DLEGiphy"I had a heart surgery with near-death experience, for me at least (well the possibility that those effects are caused by morphine is also there) I just saw black and nothing else but it was warm and I had such inner peace, its weird as I sometimes still think about it and wish this feeling of being so light and free again."
TooReDTooHigh
This is why I hate surgery.
You just never know.
Shocked
Giphy"More of a near-death experience. I was electrocuted. I felt like I was in a deep hole looking straight up in the sky. My life flashed before me. Felt sad for my family, but I had a deep sense of peace."
Admirable_Buyer6528
The SOB
"Nursing in the ICU, we’ve had people try to die on us many times during the years, some successfully. One guy stood out to me. His heart stopped. We called a code, are working on him, and suddenly he comes to. We hadn’t vented him yet, so he was able to talk, and he started screaming, 'Don’t let them take me, don’t let them take me, they are coming,' he was scared and yelling."
"Then he yelled a little more, as we tried to calm him down, he screamed, 'No, No,' and gestured towards the end of the bed, and died again. We didn’t get him back. It was seriously creepy. We called his son to tell him the news, and the son said basically, 'Good, he was an SOB.'”
1-cupcake-at-a-time
Colors
"My sister died and said it was extremely peaceful. She said it was very loud like a train station and lots of talking and she was stuck in this area that was like a curtain with lots of beautiful colors (colors that you don’t see in real life according to her) a man told her 'He was sorry, but she had to go back as it wasn’t her time.'"
Hannah_LL7
"I had a really similar experience except I was in an endless garden with flowers that were colors I had never seen before. It was quiet and peaceful and a woman in a dress looked at me, shook her head, and just said 'Not yet.' As I was coming back, it was extremely loud, like everyone in the world was trying to talk all at once. It was all very disorienting but it changed my perspective on life!"
huntokarrr
The Fog
"I was in a gray fog with a girl who looked a lot like a young version of my grandmother (who was still alive) but dressed like a pioneer in the 1800s she didn't say anything but kept pulling me towards an opening in the wall. I kept refusing to go because I was so tired."
"I finally got tired of her nagging and went and that's when I came to. I had bled out during a c-section and my heart could not beat without blood. They had to deliver the baby and sew up the bleeders. refill me with blood before they could restart my heart so, like, at least 12 minutes gone."
Fluffy-Hotel-5184
Through the Walls
"My spouse was dead for a couple of minutes one miserable night. She maintains that she saw nothing, but only heard people talking about her like through a wall. The only thing she remembers for absolute certain was begging an ER nurse that she didn't want to die."
"She's quite alive and well today."
Hot-Refrigerator6583
Well let's all be happy to be alive.
It seems to be all we have.
Trying to lose weight is a struggle understood by many people regardless of size.
The goal of reaching a healthy weight may seem unattainable, but with diet and exercise, it can pay off through persistence and discipline.
Seeing the pounds gradually drop off can also be a great motivator and incentivize people to stay the course.
Those who've achieved their respective weight goals shared their experiences when Redditor apprenti8455 asked:
"People who lost a lot of weight, what surprises you the most now?"
Redditors didn't see these coming.
Shiver Me Timbers
"I’m always cold now!"
– Telrom_1
"I had a coworker lose over 130 pounds five or six years ago. I’ve never seen him without a jacket on since."
– r7ndom
"140 lbs lost here starting just before COVID, I feel like that little old lady that's always cold, damn this top comment was on point lmao."
– mr_remy
Drawing Concern
"I lost 100 pounds over a year and a half but since I’m old(70’s) it seems few people comment on it because (I think) they think I’m wasting away from some terminal illness."
– dee-fondy
"Congrats on the weight loss! It’s honestly a real accomplishment 🙂"
"Working in oncology, I can never comment on someone’s weight loss unless I specifically know it was on purpose, regardless of their age. I think it kind of ruffles feathers at times, but like I don’t want to congratulate someone for having cancer or something. It’s a weird place to be in."
– LizardofDeath
Unleashing Insults
"I remember when I lost the first big chunk of weight (around 50 lbs) it was like it gave some people license to talk sh*t about the 'old' me. Old coworkers, friends, made a lot of not just negative, but harsh comments about what I used to look like. One person I met after the big loss saw a picture of me prior and said, 'Wow, we wouldn’t even be friends!'”
"It wasn’t extremely common, but I was a little alarmed by some of the attention. My weight has been up and down since then, but every time I gain a little it gets me a little down thinking about those things people said."
– alanamablamaspama
Not Everything Goes After Losing Weight
"The loose skin is a bit unexpected."
– KeltarCentauri
"I haven’t experienced it myself, but surgery to remove skin takes a long time to recover. Longer than bariatric surgery and usually isn’t covered by insurance unless you have both."
– KatMagic1977
"It definitely does take a long time to recover. My Dad dropped a little over 200 pounds a few years back and decided to go through with skin removal surgery to deal with the excess. His procedure was extensive, as in he had skin taken from just about every part of his body excluding his head, and he went through hell for weeks in recovery, and he was bedridden for a lot of it."
– Jaew96
These Redditors shared their pleasantly surprising experiences.
Shopping
"I can buy clothes in any store I want."
– WaySavvyD
"When I lost weight I was dying to go find cute, smaller clothes and I really struggled. As someone who had always been restricted to one or two stores that catered to plus-sized clothing, a full mall of shops with items in my size was daunting. Too many options and not enough knowledge of brands that were good vs cheap. I usually went home pretty frustrated."
– ganache98012
No More Symptoms
"Lost about 80 pounds in the past year and a half, biggest thing that I’ve noticed that I haven’t seen mentioned on here yet is my acid reflux and heartburn are basically gone. I used to be popping tums every couple hours and now they just sit in the medicine cabinet collecting dust."
– colleennicole93
Expanding Capabilities
"I'm all for not judging people by their appearance and I recognise that there are unhealthy, unachievable beauty standards, but one thing that is undeniable is that I can just do stuff now. Just stamina and flexibility alone are worth it, appearance is tertiary at best."
– Ramblonius
People Change Their Tune
"How much nicer people are to you."
"My feet weren't 'wide' they were 'fat.'"
– LiZZygsu
"Have to agree. Lost 220 lbs, people make eye contact and hold open doors and stuff"
"And on the foot thing, I also lost a full shoe size numerically and also wear regular width now 😅"
– awholedamngarden
It's gonna take some getting used to.
Bones Everywhere
"Having bones. Collarbones, wrist bones, knee bones, hip bones, ribs. I have so many bones sticking out everywhere and it’s weird as hell."
– Princess-Pancake-97
"I noticed the shadow of my ribs the other day and it threw me, there’s a whole skeleton in here."
– bekastrange
Knee Pillow
"Right?! And they’re so … pointy! Now I get why people sleep with pillows between their legs - the knee bones laying on top of each other (side sleeper here) is weird and jarring."
– snic2030
"I lost only 40 pounds within the last year or so. I’m struggling to relate to most of these comments as I feel like I just 'slimmed down' rather than dropped a ton. But wow, the pillow between the knees at night. YES! I can relate to this. I think a lot of my weight was in my thighs. I never needed to do this up until recently."
– Strongbad23
More Mobility
"I’ve lost 100 lbs since 2020. It’s a collection of little things that surprise me. For at least 10 years I couldn’t put on socks, or tie my shoes. I couldn’t bend over and pick something up. I couldn’t climb a ladder to fix something. Simple things like that I can do now that fascinate me."
"Edit: Some additional little things are sitting in a chair with arms, sitting in a booth in a restaurant, being able to shop in a normal store AND not needing to buy the biggest size there, being able to easily wipe my butt, and looking down and being able to see my penis."
– dma1965
People making significant changes, whether for mental or physical health, can surely find a newfound perspective on life.
But they can also discover different issues they never saw coming.
That being said, overcoming any challenge in life is laudable, especially if it leads to gaining confidence and ditching insecurities.