Robbie Williams has shared an update about his battle with anxiety and how fame affects it. The former Take That star opened up on a recent flight taken with his family across America.
A lengthy message shared to Instagram by the singer about the act of fans asking for photographs with him, and other celebrities, was met with positive thoughts by fans of the star.
Although Robbie made clear that he was not “moaning”, and it is a problem he would “rather have than not” have. Telling the anecdote on the social media platform, he explained that a fan had handed him a note asking for a photo, to which he sent a note back telling them he had been “up since 4.30am” and was running off two hours’ sleep.
He wrote on the note that he was also dealing with anxiety, and that this would spike if others were to start wondering who the star was, adding that the “attention” would only pile more anxiety and top off his “being outside” unease.
On the same flight, another well-wisher who was a self-confessed Rock DJ fan also requested a selfie with the ‘Angels’ hitmaker. Robbie told followers that he once again declined the request, but did write another note.
Robbie shared an honest admission about the experience, admitting that “these days, I see it as being of service. If it makes someone happy – and I can – then I’ll do my best to facilitate that happiness”, as he reminded fans that he “didn’t always see it that way.”
According to the 51-year-old, there is an unspoken law as a celebrity that you should be available 24/7 and “greet all strangers like you’re the mayor of the best town anyone’s ever visited.”
He did also recall another flight experience where he had obliged to have pictures taken with fans, before he said “that made me bristle” when one fan detailed that another unnamed celebrity had rejected to have their photo taken, with Robbie jumping to the defence of the star.
Opening up further on his health, Robbie revealed how every interaction with strangers and people he knows well, does fill him with discomfort. Telling fans that he “masks it” well but the social interaction still frightens him, so much so that he didn’t go out for years and how to relearn how to interact.
Robbie thanked fans for listening to him and allowing a space for self-preservation. He reiterated that it’s not a moan but something he “needed” to get off his chest.
One comment on the post agreed with Robbie: “I’ve loved you since I was 7 and I’m 40 now. Always been a dream to meet you but if your with your family you are off limits!”
A second comment was “We saw a celebrity recently with their wife and kids and I said to my family do not approach them, just leave them alone.” A third response was “No human is ENTITLED access to another human – famous or not. And yes your most important duty is to protect your family.”
Another reply was: “So beautifully, vulnerably and kindly put. I feel you and you have every right to have healthy boundaries like the rest of us. This just made me see you and want to protect you.”
Further comments included “Thought provoking words. I too suffer from anxiety & other issues, which are bad enough without the far greater pressure of fame. And “Absolutely love your comment… saying it how it is with compassion… why can’t more people see the world this way around… I’m totally with you and absolutely bloody love you…”