Advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity – Being famous can be a tough life

Being a celebrity or simply being famous has its own advantages and disadvantages. The common perception is that celebrities and famous personalities have everything in life. After all, the grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it? The truth is that there are as many downsides and disadvantages of being a celebrity as there are the number of benefits. Who said being famous was always fun? Decide for yourself – read on for 5 advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity.

1) Celebrities get special treatment wherever they go

It is a no-brainer to assume that someone like Selena Gomez or Justin Bieber will get preferential treatment over other customers at a restaurant, don't you think? From special seats at theatres to special tables at restaurants, celebrities are given the advantage of being the preferred customers everywhere they go. Wouldn't you love it if you were given preferential entry at nightclubs or given first row seats at award functions? Of course you would, and that is exactly why this perk of being famous is just too tempting.

2) Being famous generally means being richer

One of the very obvious advantages of being famous is that fame generally brings with it lots of fortune. Celebrities and other famous people are generally richer than the average joe. Luxurious homes and cars, fancy gifts, expensive clothes and other such materialistic pleasures of life convert from a dream to a reality when people become famous. Forget homes, celebrities are also known to own entire islands. If you have a single ounce of doubt whether celebrities are actually rich, go watch episodes of MTV Cribs and all your doubts will magically disappear. In particular, watch the episode which showcases the home, cars and lifestyle of 50 Cent.

3) Celebrities are recognized everywhere they go

Celebrities are recognized everywhere they go. This is an advantage because people often draw a massive ego boost when random bystanders recognize them. It can be a great opportunity to boast to a friend and say "Gee, I'm so famous. Everyone recognizes me" While most seasoned celebrities get over this initial ego boost quickly, being recognized, spotted and pictured is quite a rush and a massage to the egos of some famous people.

4) Celebrities and famous people have fans

Fans are the people who adore their celebrity idols. They can have celebrity crushes or even real life admiration for their idols. Fan mail and other forms of appreciation that celebrities receive can be inspirational, motivational and very humbling. After all, who wouldn't like to have their own fans, followers and worshipers?

5) Many opportunities arise when people become famous

When people become famous, more opportunities arise in life whether career related or not. For example, someone like Michael Jordan made a living not only from playing ball. He was the face of Nike and promotes many other brands. Someone like Kim Kardashian can afford to dwell into newer businesses like fashion apparel and perfumes simply because she is famous and can afford to sustain and promote them. Being famous definitely opens many doors in life which would have remained shut if fame had not been achieved. Many celebrities embark upon the entrepreneurship path as soon as they achieve stardom. After all, if Kim Kardashian can reportedly charge in upwards of $8,000 for doing nothing but sending one tweet from her twitter account, anything is possible!

1) Famous people can't do things that the average person can

What do you think would happen if Paris Hilton walked down to the supermarket on a regular day? She would be mobbed and hounded for autographs and pictures. Celebrities and other famous people cannot lead lives of a normal person. They will have to live in their own little secluded world and will generally be unable to do things that the average joe can. This disadvantage of being famous can stop celebrities from indulging in the little pleasures of life, which can be very frustrating indeed. Some of these simple pleasures of life are.

• Playing ball at the neighborhood playground
• Going shopping to the supermarket
• Going for an uninterrupted walk or a bicycle ride on the beach
• Lying on the beach without being mobbed on a sunny day
• Sitting on the park bench and reading a book without being asked "Can I take a picture of you?
• Have a quiet dinner with family at the local restaurant

2) Being famous or a celebrity can attract stalkers

We've all heard about those nasty cases of celebrity stalking that have gone out of control. Famous people are often followed or harassed by phone, email or messages by fans or followers who cross the line and become obsessed. Obsession can turn into threats and even physical harm.

3) A celebrity status can attract too many fake friends

From a celebrity's perspective, it'd become very hard to spot a genuine person who wants to be friends as opposed to many of the million wannabe friends who may want to befriend them for personal gain. As one would imagine, it'd be a nerve-wracking experience to scrutinize each and every individual that comes into their lives. It would literally translate to being on-guard every single hour, minute and second of the day.

4) People constantly judge celebrities

Tabloids, magazines, newspapers, blogs and other form of media constantly judge celebrities on their personalities, habits, bodies and a lot more. Reading demeaning, rude, nasty, insulting, derogatory and lies about one's own self is a part and parcel of a celebrity's daily routine. From a lay person's point of view, it's like having a million people talk behind your back on a daily basis. Imagine how hard hitting would it be if a tabloid talked about how fat you are or how sleazy you are.

5) Celebrities have no privacy

If Kim Kardashian wears a bikini and steps out on the beaches of Miami to catch some sun, the entire world is going to know about it. If Arnold Schwarzenegger heads out for a ride on his motorcycle on a sunny day, pictures of him are going to be splashed in the tabloids. If Paris Hilton and her beau have an argument or a fight in a night club, the whole world will know about it. Get the point? Lack of privacy is one of the biggest disadvantages of being a celebrity.