Hayden Panettiere is apparently making appearances at conventions and charging fans $30 a pop for her autograph and $45 to take a picture. I guess this is standard procedure at this kind of event, but the Daily Mail went after her for it and questioned whether she needed the money and if this signified that her career is in the sh*tter. It wasn’t a bad question given the circumstances, and I’ve rarely heard a good word about Hayden or her attitude so she’s fair game in my book. Eliza Dushku penned an open letter to the Mail on her official blog in response to the article, slamming them for questioning Hayden but not signing their full name to the story or something. It didn’t make sense to me, because that was one of the milder editorials I’ve seen in that rag. Here’s Eliza’s letter:
Dear Sir,
I write to you because the piece of your paper that concerns me was anonymous. The piece was 27th August titled “Are times that tough Hayden?” ridiculing and attacking the actor Hayden Panettiere for participating in a Toronto Expo fan gathering where fans are charged money (Oh shock! Oh shame!) in exchange for autographs, signed pictures, and the chance for a bit of face time with their favorite celebrity.
My dear editor, how does Hayden’s action differ from what you do for much of the content of your “news” paper? There we have celebrities exchanging their name (sometimes willy-nilly, no permission asked), their time, and their pictures in exchange for a bit of publicity for their work. At least the fan shows (such as the current Toronto Expo one) are honest and up front about the exchange. In addition, at these shows both fans and celebrities get some precious small contact with each other as real people. Your paper does not provide that value.
Yes, you will have to tell me where you think you get off attempting to diminish a young actor who is attempting to reach out to fans in one of the only practical ways provided by the entertainment industry, an industry your paper is a part of and largely dependent on.
It is particularly shoddy that the author scoffs at Hayden’s lack of “Harry Potter” or “Spiderman” fame while leaving himself unnamed as “Daily Mail Reporter.” Talk about being a parasite! Does Daily Mail Reporter want to shoot down Hayden’s career, just at it’s beginning, and then take a salary for doing so. Seriously, Sir, for shame.
[From Eliza Dushku’s blog via SFX, ONTD]
Yes the Daily Mail sucks, but it does seem ridiculous to charge $30 to $45 just to meet a minor celebrity from a television show. I think I know why Eliza is defending Hayden so staunchly. Eliza was at that exact same Fan Expo in Toronto signing for cash. I can’t verify how much she charged there, but she was charging $50 for fans to take a photo with her at a convention last year. So she’s all “this is common practice and you’re just as bad” while never admitting that she does the exact same thing and that’s why she’s taking this article so personally. I guess you have to do what you have to do when you’ve got a mortgage and car payments and your last steady television gig was canceled over a year ago.
Photo credit: WENN.com
They are both always going have that income available from that fan base because of their roles on Heroes and Buffy. I can’t blame them for taking the dough it really doesn’t reflect on their careers. BUT the Daily Mail is best ignored because their articles are usually not that great.
I dont like the idea of having to pay for autographs or pics. It makes it all so impersonal and unfriendly; its not like we havent already been wrung of our money for cd’s. dvd’s, posters, – I mean even just by tuning in ‘someone else’ (actors, musicians, labels, producers etc) are making millions.
If I make the effort to drive to an expo, and buy the tickets, and the overpriced food and drink etc, I would at least expect to I dont have to pay 30-50 dollars or more to stnad in line for several hours.
Its so… prosituty, in a way. Pay money to have someone pretend to be nice to you? How pathetic. I wouldnt be able to do it to ‘my fans’ if I had any. Not with a clear conscience or without feeling like a decietful fiend and a thief.
Isn’t the money going to charity?
I seriously don’t believe that they’re so broke to just start asking for fees in exchange for a signature.
My problem with that DM article is that they made it seem like Hayden is te only one who does this and besides I read on the commens on that article that it all goes to charity. I’d pay that and more to meet Hayden (or my fave celeb)
if you look at comic con or any other convention this is standard rates and practice.
OTHER people are obviously willing to pay, conventions would not be booking them if they weren’t, so your “I guess you have to do what you have to do when you’ve got a mortgage and car payments and your last steady television gig was canceled over a year ago.” insult here doesn’t carry weight.
if people are willing to wait in long ass lines AND pay money to take a pic or get their autograph then certainly there ARE people who care.
fyi, i hate both of these chicks, but come on man, i think your angle here is pretty weak.
*giggle* Remember Faith slamming that lawyer’s face repeatedly into the desk? That would have been a little more effective, and way more cooler. But I’m always going to love Eliza and the DM is full of crap because charging for autographs and pics is common practise at those fan gatherings.
I’ll update with the news that it’s going to charity if you guys can send a link that’s not a comment. Nowhere does Dushku mention that, and you think she would, and it’s not in either article.
The only thing worse than paying for an autograph is charging for an autograph. Can they not just get a fee for appearing and that be enough? I guess those over-extended, celebrity lifestyles won’t pay for themselves. Whatever happened to celebs just being happy that someone *wanted* their autograph?
who cares if its not?
brad pitt does weird commericals for bizarre products in japan
kim kardashian and million other celebs get paid to tweet about products.
hell, half the shit they walk around with is product placement.
since when is it surprising that these people do anything and everything FOR MONEY?
Wow, Eliza looks amazing. Does she never age?
I would definitely charge for photos and autographs if I were a celebrity, I could NOT imagine strangers coming up to me and wanting to talk to me in my personal time, out for dinner,in the washroom, at the mall etc. or having to do meet and greets with people lining up. I would absolutely detest it. Seriously, what an annoyance. I don’t know how they(celebs) deal. I have trouble forming an opinion as I can’t relate to someone like Hayden, because I would never WANT to be a celebrity.
I paid $50 to get my picture taken with James Marsters (Spike from Buffy) at one of these conventions. Like @Jezi said, it definitely cheapened the interaction for me. These actors get paid by the venue (that we pay to enter), then they charge fans whatever they feel is “fair” for a picture and autograph. Sometimes you’ll end up handing over $75 for a picture and autograph after waiting forever in line, and sometimes the actor you’re paying to meet isn’t nice. One of the nicest guys I meant, that didn’t charge anything to have his picture taken, was “pinhead” from
Hellraiser. John Berenthal from “the walking dead” was also nice (rubbed my then pregnant belly and talked to the baby and took 5 pictures with me because my eyes were closed in every one!) Even Malcolm MacDowell (who is a legend because of “A Clockwork Orange”) didn’t charge what Hayden Panatierre is asking.
@Celebitchy, to be fair, Eliza was also in a Joss Whedon produced TV show called “Dollhouse” that was cancelled about two years ago. I think she also achieved minor success with “True Calling,” a few years before that. If anything this goes to show that she can’t carry a TV show on her own.
This letter reads like it was written by someone dumb who is trying to appear smart. Once again, WHERE IS THE PUBLICIST??? Hollywood publicists are paid huge fees! Eliza should have sent this copy as a draft to her publicist. He/she could have corrected the grammar and made it more understandable.
“I write to you because the piece of your paper that concerns me was anonymous.” HUH?!?! LOL!!!!
Eliza, I write to you because the piece of your brain that concerns me is dead.
As far as charging for autographs, I think it’s a simple crowd control tactic that many celebrities use at public events. It’s not so much that they need the money, as they want to attract only the serious fans and keep the lines/crowds manageable.
Yeah, Corey, during your private time maybe.
At a convention it’s just ridiculous. They are perhaps the only fanbase they have left and should cherish them for it, not act this blatantly greedy and needy.
I always liked Eliza, what a disappointment.
If it’s for charity that’s great, but I kinda doubt it. It seems weird to me to charge their fan base, which keeps them in demand. Eliza herself says it’s “in exchange for a bit of publicity for their work”. But I guess if people are willing to pay, they’re going to charge. (I can’t see paying anything to meet either one, and I’m a big Buffy fan)
Eliza should have re-thought her opening sentence, it’s a bit awkward.
Also @Celebitchy, I don’t think the money goes to charity. If it did they would most likely put that on their sign (under the part to tells you how much they’re charging for a picture or autograph).
I will not pay for autographs. If it were true that the money was going to a charity, then it would be different. I just don’t understand why fans would have to pay entrance to venues/expos and then pay so much more for the autograph (not to mention all the time spend in lines)? You couldn’t pay me to be at one of those functions.
WTF ever happened to gratitude, humility and the basic understanding as a Celeb, which you chose to be, the general public is going to be enthralled by you? There will be no more ‘personal time’ at events. Charging for an autograph is ridiculous and petty. I made 40K this year, owe the IRS 800 bucks, can barely plan my next meal, and I STILL wouldn’t charge for an autograph. What losers!
Oh ok now for charity would indeed be much better.
But just celebrities making pocket money that they clearly dont need, no thanks at all.
Edit: yeah Aen, you are more brave to say it- “losers” LOL
For starters who the heck would want to pay for HP’s autograph???!!
Oh Eliza, Faith forever, I do love u but discovering u charge 4 photos and autographs not so cool 🙁
Agree with poster above the daily mail is a horrible rag and should be avoided!!
It’s not standard for this money to go to charity (I don’t know who started that rumor) but it is standard for certain celebs to charge for their autography, Hayden is by far not the only actor doing this.
My bigger question is why any adult would want someone’s signature whether it means standing in line, paying a fee or stopping them out in the world and thrusting a piece of paper in their face. I don’t care if it’s a mildly talented hasbeen TV actress or the “greatest actor of all time.” It’s embarrassing.
I just don’t get it.
My daughter was at this convention doing promotional work. She said there was a $40 charge just to stand IN THE LINE to see a celebrity, then another $40 to get the autograph & face time.
Also, she said on the first day Hayden
looked like she had just rolled out of bed, and was miserable, looking at the floor most of the time. The next day she was better, so perhaps she was ill the first day. Who knows? My daughter also really enjoyed working the convention because of how nice everyone was…and she was referring to the FANS.
Wow. Haven’t seen Eliza since her Buffy days. Is it just that her face has matured, or has she had some work done? Something looks off. Maybe it’s just me though.
When you charge money you filter away a ton of weirdos, creepers, moneymakers, bored a holes. They don’ t need the money.
I am a massage therapist. When doing a public event, even chairity work ALWAYS charge Something for your time. (dollar a min for example) The client you get is worth it, a better quality of human who appreciates what they got. Anyone who works with random public understands. If you don’t pls believe me, it’s needed and it works.
@ Morticians think I have mentioned b4 but sooooo jealous u met ‘Spike’…but boo to having to pay for the privelige 🙁
WOW!! Eliza looks like mexican actress ANA DE LA REGUERA!
I used to love Eliza, but this letter is indeed quite immature. How disappointing.
I have been to several cons, and each is run differently. Sometimes the celebrities get paid upfront, sometimes they get a guarantee (to make say 5G via autographs, if not the promoter will foot the balance), etc.
Honestly, $40 seems a little high. I usually pay $20 – $25. The only person I’ve ever paid $40 for was Tippi Hedren. I’ve heard they charge more now than in the past because a lot of people don’t get the pics personalized, just autographed, and then will sell them elsewhere, like on eBay.
Either way – I’m not paying squat for her, but to each his own.
If it were for charity, it would have been in that letter, she would have loved to shove that down their throats.
I wouldn’t pay one red cent to either of them.
why for?? LOL
I would never pay for an autograph. I would never ask for one, either. But HP would have to pay ME to take hers. I would do it for, like, ten dollars. Cash.
plenty of people waited in line and got to meet Hayden & Eliza and didn’t pay any money at all. They just didn’t get an autograph or fancy photo op. Each lady talked to everyone the same no matter why they stopped by. And in this day and age where the majority of people collecting autographs are selling them on Amazon or Ebay at higher prices, an actor would be crazy to just give them away all the time.
Eliza who??
Charging cash for autographs doesn’t filter out the losers, it identifies the suckers.
I am a geek.
Things like Toronto Expo and Comic Con are for suckers. They are just meat markets of famous faces and over priced pictures.
Smaller conventions are better. They invest in one or two bigger name stars, authors, artists or super-techno geeks. Then they treat them like rock stars. They go to the parties, they participate in Klingon Weddings… They have fun.
I also don’t complain about the autograph pricing. Let’s face it, actors can be out of work for a long time. Everybody’s got rent.
Eliza’s a Wheddon babe, so she is aces with me… Hayden…blah. DM might have a point.
I went to school with Eliza, and we were in the same English class one year.
Yep, this letter pretty much sounds like her!
Whatever. It’s not a very likeable practise to charge for autographs and photos, but it’s not like the fans are forced into it.
As long as the fans are willing to pay, why give up the money? And it ensures that the super-fans who are willing to fork over a little cash for the meet-and-greet are more likely to actually see their favourite stars because the lines will be significantly shorter than if it was a free-for-all.
Aww she’s just sticking up for her friend. She rocks!
Here’s the thing. I went to fan expo. Though im personally meh on Hayden, my two best best friends love her and they waited in line for her autograph. once they got to Hayden she acted like she was over the whole thing as if sitting and writing her name on photographs was such hard work. She didnt even offer up anything special just, “whats your name. okay” *signs autograph” they where out in 8 seconds and only because my friend was struggling to get her money out before they booted her off for the next person. The line was fairly long, but it moved really fast, and you know the reason for it is because Hayden didnt wanna spend much time with her fans at all
Now i don’t know why Eliza feels like she has to defend Hayden. I get that she might take it personally because she’s doing the same thing, but Eliza was such a pleasure to meet. So nice to the people before me, to me and those after. She actually liked being there receiving love from her fans, not acting as if it was a burden to sign some pictures.
Okay folks here’s how fan conventions work and how stars really get paid.
I’ve only been to a few (just started going in 2010) but I’ve already been able to gather good info on how these things work.
Yes the celebrities get paid X amount to attend up front. The higher the name the higher the fee ($50,000+ for the really huge draws). This also generally comes with free airfare and hotel costs, along with food provided by the venue.
You see this is the main reason why celebrities do these things, because this large fee and free hotel/accomodations essentially gives them a free vacation. Many of them see where the venue is taking place (i.e. Austin, San Francisco, New York, overseas, etc.) and they get more excited about traveling there more than anything else, especially if they can bring along their family. The additional money made from the up-front fee is the cherry on top.
Secondly, as to whether or not those fees for photos/autographs go towards any charity, there’s a yes/no here. NO they do not go to charity up front. I don’t know who started this rumor but NONE of the conventions I’ve been too, including ALL of the celebrities there both big and small, ever state that their money is going to a charity.
But what I do imagine happens is that many of these celebrities use this earned income towards their own charity donations later on. So if Hayden made $30,000 for her convention, she probably writes a check to some dolphin charity afterward for an amount that will later be used for tax write-off purposes. Win-win here.
Which leads to my next point, as to whether the convention or the celebrities keep the money made on the photographs/autographs. Again a yes/no answer here. With the bigger celebrities they most likely don’t, or at least collect a small percentage, because they already receive such a large upfront fee for attending. And this fee is kept irregardless of how many fans ever come to see them. So if only one person came to see Hayden and the convention loses out on so much money because of this, oh well Hayden still keeps her large up front fee. Smaller celebrities keep it all because they don’t command large up front fees, so essentially autos/photos are their commission earned.
Hope this helps everybody out.
Re: the charity thing. I’d imagine NONE of the CASH that celebs make for photos/autographs gets donated to charity. They probably feel like they pay enough taxes on their declared income, so they squirrel away the cash. If anything, they MAY donate the appearance fee (in order to get a write off).
@Ruby Red, 🙂 he was sweet, talkative and a picture and conversation with him was definitely worth $50!
@mama Jo, I payed for pictures with certain celebs but I am by no means a “sucker.” Can you honestly tell me there’s not ONE person you would pay $50 to talk to for a few minutes? President Obama, Bill Clinton etc.? You’re coming across a little harsh in your criticism.
I dunno. The practice of charging is pretty standard. I think they were wrong to call her out like that, but that’s A LOT of money. I think to her, maybe, because she’s rich $40 isn’t that much so it seems reasonable. Considering these people already paid an entry fee ,and if they travelled to the comic expo as many many do-hotel/airfare or vehicle rental fees….it’s ridiculous. Eliza didn’t really make a valid point, though. The Daily Mail is a news paper and like them or not, they do have a lot of overhead..etc so yes, they charge for their service. To make that comparison was rather foolish. She should have defended HP and left it at that, but this letter makes her seem kind of lame.
Agree with Eliza ‘Faith’ . The media especially the DM and others like it love to gloat at celebs whom they think are ‘down’ on their luck. HP and Eliza can charge whatever they like – they are worth it!
You couldn’t pay me money to ask a celebrity for an autograph or a picture, let alone pay them.. “Fans, The Normal People” are the ones who pay them and keep them employed ,etc. That shit should be given away for free. And people who are stupid enough to buy those things are WELL….. STUPID! And These 2 are nothing but a bunch of F-listers if you ask me.
S someone who does go to conventions I’m surprised folks are complaining about it.
It’s a standard practice and $40/$50 dollars is absolutely reasonable.
While meeting the fans is fun, it is still part of their job and can take up several hours and disrupt their schedule. While it would be nice to have them simply show up and treat visitors as their best friends it’s unrealistic to think they should treat every Tom, Dick & Harry (some of which are obsessive loons) as someone they were eager to sign multiple items for, pose and smile with in a number of positions, and talk to for hours for free.
I wouldn’t even have the patience for that.
Of course they should charge, since so many things they sign or pose for gets sold on ebay. I would be pissed if I signed something for someone and they used it to make money. The fee weeds out the jerks just getting autographs for money versus the real fans.
I would not pay either one of them 20 cents for autograph or photo, but that is my opinion. Seriously. I don’t get the fuss over Panettiere; so she was in a tv show that was canceled. You have to be some dedicated fan to chase these two at a convention hall. The problem is that she thinks she is the shizz…..I mean she is cute and all, but does she actually get any work these days? Whatever.
@ morticians…swoon…very very jealous 😉 Did he say anything u’d like to share? (am living through ur experience!!!) 😀
Don’t care for HP, but Eliza is very “real” and charming with her fans on her FB page. I also know people who have worked with her at conventions, and they say she is very nice to both the employees and to the fans.
I can honestly say there is not one single celebrity — not one — that I would pay for an authograph or pay to be photographed with, not even if the money went to charity. However, I wouldn’t criticize anyone else for doing so. It’s your money and your celebrity love and you can spend it however you like. 😀 I can see this is becoming the thing to do — charging for your autograph or picture — and it’s not just “Hollywood” doing it — athletes do it, also. I wonder if this trend has become more prevalent because of eBay and similar outlets where celebrity autographs are sold? Maybe they feel like if you’re going to turn around someday and sell their autograph for $250, they should pre-emptively get a cut of the cash…?
I would LOVE to have Jon Bernthal rub my tummy and I’m not even pregnant. Yum.
Dushku’s a crap actress but she sure is pretty. Look at that gorgeous hair and skin, she just radiates good health.
Eliza’s face looks weird?
Eliza Dushku and Anna Paquin are the only short girls I have seen with those fingers usually seen on giant blonde Vikings.
Alexander Skarsgard doesn’t even have those Viking fingers.
what the hell do u do w a picture of H.P. or E.D. pic?? hang it on your wall.. put it on facebook.. lol
She said there was a $40 charge just to stand IN THE LINE to see a celebrity, then another $40 to get the autograph & face time.
_______
I’ll pass. That’s more than I’d pay for a hooker.
yeah I’m sorry but charging people to put your name on a piece of paper is nothing near performing a task or duty for a job… and Celebitchy is right, if it were going to charity, someone would have mentioned it…
@snapnhiss, I definitely blushed a bit. I didn’t think he was attractive before I meant him, but his personality changed my mind!
@Ruby Red, My husband waited in line with me to help with the baby, but had me bring my son with me while he waited off to the side. I guess he was using the baby as a buffer so I wouldn’t cozy up too close! LOL I introduced myself and my son (who was 10 months at the time) and he said “if you look this good after having a baby, I can’t imagine what you looked like before.” I’d pay anyone $50 to say that to me 😉 but, coming from him, I nearly fainted! I asked him about his upcoming projects and he talked about “Hawaii 5.0.” At the time, he thought he was going to be a series regular, but I’m pretty sure he was only in 1 episode. Anyway, I couldn’t bring myself to ask him to do some of the things other women were asking of him ie. “pretend we’re about to kiss passionately,” or “will you bite my neck?” Amazingly, he honored EVERY request I was present for!
Eliza’s nose job irks me everytime I see her. She has ruined herself by getting it done 🙁
But it is common practice. Every star with any clout at a convention does this. You’re charged anywhere from $15-30 for an autograph and $25-60 for a photo with the star. To choose Hayden as a subject for a scathing piece is random, at best. Shoot, I was at a convention two months ago where Claudia Wells was charging $50 for a signed photograph and barely stayed at her booth the entire weekend.
@mortician: I’m sorry to see that I hurt your feelings, my apologies, you’re not a sucker.
I guess this is one of those conversations about weighing price and worthiness and how much a celebrity must do to merit the high price. For 50 dollars that piece of paper had better be a winning lottery ticket. I would spend 50 dollars on a celebrity, but it’s situational. 50 dollars to go to a concert or play? Sure, but 50 dollars for a lone signature, I don’t know, how much more of my pittance do they need? And while there are I love to meet in a more meaningful manner than the typical convention sluice, the diminshings returns would kick in somewhere around the eviction notice.
Ooo, I didnt notice it at first until I scrolled back up to properly look at her face, it does look funny! Like her nose is made of wax and she went to a cheap surgeon to get it ‘pinched’ at the tip. Its so pointy, she looks like Pinocchio!
Well the daily mail reporter (or anyone else unwilling to pay) doesn’t need to shell out anything if they don’t want to buy her autograph. Someone seems to be confused about how a free market works
With so many “fans” that are actually celebrity memorabilia dealers who plan to turn around and sell the autographed photos on eBay, why not charge a fee?
I’d pay a celebrity $50 to kiss my butt… but that’s about it :-/
i don’t think it’s good publicity to make fans pay for such things. after all, they’ve already paid in more than one way in order to make that certain person a celebrity.
if like another poster said it’s only to weed out the “losers,” then why not donate the money to charity & make yourself good at the same time? i agree w/ the other poster who said it’s not to weed out the losers but the suckers.
@mama Jo, thank you. I understand where you’re coming from. I wouldn’t pay $50 for a signature either. As pathetic as it may sound to some, I am paying for the interaction (and to find out if the celeb is as likable as the characters they play). If they aren’t I won’t be spending my hard earned $10 on any of their movies or give their tv shows a second look. For the $50 you spend on a concert, I get a personal interaction with the same person. One may be more valuable to you than the other, but it really is all relative and if I (or someone else) choose to blow the money I earned on something others consider trite that’s my perogative.
@anne00, Wow! Sure sounds like every financial decision you’ve made has been a sound one. Please see the reply above to mama Jo 🙂
@mortician: Fair enough.
@mamajo, I must say, I really respect you for not going on the attack when faced with an opinion that differs from yours. I’ve read posts from you in the past and know you are an erudite individual and, therefore, capable of taking someone to task 😉 Bravo! I like your style.
I can’t believe anyone would pay for either of their autographs or picture. What a waste of money.
I really hope Eliza drunk-blogged that, there’s no other excuse for such horrible English.
“Eliza, I write to you because the piece of your brain that concerns me is dead.”
Thanks, poster upthread, I couldn’t have said it better. She’s a celeb, she knows she’s going to be widely read, and she can’t find a friend with basic writing skills to proof read for her? She sounds like a 7th grade dropout who’s been told (as a cruel joke) that she writes well.
I have no idea why these two women are “famous.” Who are they?
I’m with those who say they won’t ever pay for an autograph or photo with a celebrity. Celebrities who think they’re entitled to it seem just a little too precious, in my opinion.
i would not pay anyone for their signature, i don’t care who they are. The DM is a rag but an entertaining one and Hayden Panatroll strikes me as a total bitch. As for Eliza, the letter is immature and badly written.
“THE DAILY MAIL SUCKS?” Please elaborate.
@ Morticians, wow! thats all I can say 😀 Thank u so much for sharing, Its almost as good as meeting him myself… U lucky lucky thing 🙂
What the heck are you gonna do with their signature and picture anyways?They don’t worth a dime.You can’t sell it on ebay ,i don’t think people knows them that much to care let alone pay for their pictures,for shame!!
isn’t, ‘ So she’s all “this is common practice and you’re just as bad” while never admitting that she does the exact same thing and that’s why she’s taking this article so personally.’ admitting that she does the same thing hayden does? By saying ‘this is common practice in our field’ she’s putting herself in the circle with hayden.
I think you’re being a bit too picky with this one
A lot of these people who are willing to pay are looking to add to the a valuable collection of memorabilia from their favorite shows and some even to sell on ebay to collectors. Maybe one of the ideas if that each fan has the potential to make money off of their likeness and name, they want a cut too. Just as they get paid for being entertainers. And I see no problem with this. It’s business and the fans are happy to do it.
I LMAO at most of these responses. Thank you, all!
I don’t think that it’s the worst thing in the world to spend your money on if thats what you value personally, but I have to say the following: 1.) I don’t agree that celebs deserve this money for their “time”. As someone else stated, they’re already getting paid just to be there. IMHO, they’re people. Jacked people with problems, sure, but they’re people all the same. They take a dump like the rest of us, and I think it’s inappropriate to ask for money from their supporters like they’re peons. It’s only because of the rest of us that they exist in that light. 2.) who cares if people turn around and sell the stuff on ebay? If some deluded person wants to pay $500 dollars for a signed photo on ebay (without even being able to verify the authenticity of such a document), then go right ahead. Do I agree with those people selling the items? Of course not. But as long as there are idiots out there, there will be a con man to take advantage of them. Consequently, I don’t understand the logic in saying that celebs should get “a cut” of that money. They’re already getting “a cut” of the $8.50 we pay to see their movies, etc. 3.) I’m simply astounded at the people who have the balls to ask them for an autograph. I’d be so embarrassed. Not to say I disagree with it, but do you not know that this person you’ve just paid to see is just like you? Other than the obvious worth of their signature in comparison to that of your own mother’s (which is funny in and of itself. Who decided that it should be of more value???), I don’t see the point really. And at $50 bucks, I wouldn’t flatter myself at anything they said to me. They could say I was the most gorgeous person they’ve ever met, but in my head I’d be thinking, “Well yeah. I just gave you my money. You’re making $10 a second to tell me whatever I want to hear for 5 seconds. Yay”. Or not. Like posters stated above, they could still treat you like shit regardless. For example, I photographed a girl who had met Jon Voight in California at a movie theatre. She blushed when she told me that he’d said she was the prettiest girl ever. I tried not to raise an eyebrow, as she was very average-looking at best. Oh well. At least she didn’t have to pay him to say it. And at least it says more about his character than someone who would ask you for $50 dollars first.
People are obviously stupid enough to worship these type of celebrities and to pay for their picture and or signature, they are also stupid enough to read the DM, so what? it’s a question of choice and that can only be made based on one’s own perception so to each their own, this is the shallow world we live in, enjoy it!
This money is most definitely not going to charity, I have read a similar article elsewhere and the charge for these autographs photos etc. is (however misguidedly) in place to attempt to guarantee that face time is spent with genuine fans and not simply those after a quick autograph to sell on eBay for a profit!
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