Justin Timberlake- acting like a celeb on Dumbo

[Badgerfan]

This past Sunday, as my wife and daughter were getting off of Dumbo, I noticed several Disney staff running around all giddy. When I asked what was up, they pointed out that Justin Timberlake and Camron Diaz were going to be riding Dumbo shortly. Sure enough there they were with several Disney staff standing around with a couple of large body guards. They were standing by the exit, waiting for everyone to clear out so they could get on. While waiting, an English family standing behind me was filming them on there cam-corder for their excited teenager. They were a good 50 feet away and not causing any trouble, but apperently Justin had a "brain malfunction" and walked over to chew the guy out for filming him. The man said he was just doing it for his daughter, but Justin told him to stop, and that he too was on "vacation" and didn't want to be hassled. Now, if the guy was in Justin's face or a mob tried to get his autograph, I could understand, but this was a middle aged guy standing 50 FEET AWAY trying to do something nice for his teenager. If Justin really wanted to just be on vacation and blend in with the rest of us, here are a few tips that may help: Lose the body guards, do you really need them in the Magic Kingdom and on Dumbo for heavens sake!! Also having several Disney castmembers running around does nothing but draw attention to you. How about growing up and ignoring people who are not really bothering you instead of trying to embarass them, and finally, don't be such a hypocrite... you use your celebrity to get escorted around and to get on rides without having to wait in line, and then get upset when people notice you? I felt terrible for that poor family, Justin is lucky he wasn't talking to me, because I would have told him to either get in line with the rest of us or shut up and quit whinning about us "little people" and enjoy your wait-free ride.

 

[Lora]

Originally posted by Badgerfan
Justin is lucky he wasn't talking to me, because I would have told him to either get in line with the rest of us or shut up and quit whinning about us "little people" and enjoy your wait-free ride.

I don't even know who those "celebs" are... maybe I'm fortunate to be in the dark. They could have gotten in line with me and I wouldn't have been any wiser. I certainly agree that if they want to be "normal", then be normal - or deal with their "status".

 

[Disney Ella]

Well, that's just the price of fame. When you spend years trying to get people to notice you and buy your CDs, you better not complain when they do notice you. If the man had been standing two feet away filming, I would think the reaction was justified, but not fifty feet away.

 

[Chuck S]

While I don't excuse Mr. Timberlake's rude behavior...also try living a day as a celebrity. I have a friend that is a celebrity, and he can't go anywhere without having to be "on guard" for stalkers or photographers. It is very hard for big names to live their real, daily lives and enjoy public areas like amusement parks, etc.

 

[Tinkbell]

Did he really think nobody would take his picture? Sounds like Justin wasn't feeling the "magic".

 

[Prince Eric1]

Originally posted by Chuck S
While I don't excuse Mr. Timberlake's rude behavior...also try living a day as a celebrity. I have a friend that is a celebrity, and he can't go anywhere without having to be "on guard" for stalkers or photographers. It is very hard for big names to live their real, daily lives and enjoy public areas like amusement parks, etc.

Thats the price of fame. He wants to be famous, clamors to the spotlight (superbowl, prime example), but he wants to turn around and turn the fame on and off at his choosing and expect no one to acknowledge his fame and fans to run the opposite way? If he wants to ride Dumbo, which was probably in front of little kids that were actually waiting in line, then he and some celeb friends could have bought out the park for an evening like some of the big companies do for family nights. Otherwise, if he's going during park hours he had better expect people to videotape, photograph, and stare, as that is the price of fame.

 

[capnho]

Originally posted by Chuck S
While I don't excuse Mr. Timberlake's rude behavior...also try living a day as a celebrity. I have a friend that is a celebrity, and he can't go anywhere without having to be "on guard" for stalkers or photographers. It is very hard for big names to live their real, daily lives and enjoy public areas like amusement parks, etc.

No one holds a gun to people's heads and tells them they have to be celebrities. Part of the price of being rich and famous is that people who aren't want a piece of you.

 

[4greatboys]

Well I know they tire of the pappazzai but you can tell the difference between them and a family on vacation. If he felt the need to speak he could have just said hi to the family and asked nicely that they not film him.

 

[Cinderella37]

While I understand that celebrities may tire of the spotlight (when it's convenient to tire of it), I don't feel bad for them. I'm sure many people in the park that day would gladly have someone filming their ride on Dumbo in exchange for not having to wait in line, the ability to travel anywhere at any time, millions and millions of dollars and a privileged and pampered lifestyle. I'm not complaining about my own station in life, as I'm very lucky to live the way I do but, how can Timberlake act like such a jerk when seeing fans who made him rich and tons of hot parents and tired little kids waiting in line so HE can have his ride without waiting?

If you don't want people taking your picture, don't be a celebrity. It's not like Justin Timberlake does it for the art of his material. Jeez, I don't hear Mickey complaining about people taking his picture...

 

[SnackyStacky]

First of all, if Justin Timberlake were to walk around Disney World, unescorted - the mayhem that would ensue would be very dangerous. Both to himself, and the people that would be causing the commotion.

Disney has a responsibility to look out for the safety of its guests, and one of the things that needs to be done is to ensure that when a celebrity is around, that they are escorted. It's NOT just for the celebrity. It's for YOUR own protection as well.

Furthermore, I really don't think that you folks grasp just how quickly that innocent little act could have turned nasty for Justin. Do you know the length that the Paparazzi will go to in order to get photos? It is most DEFINITELY not beneath them to disguise themselves with a family, take a picture, or video in this instance, and then sell it - and lie about their intentions during the entire process.

As Chuck said - you can't understand his situation until you've walked a mile in his shoes.

 

[ChisJo]

Last year, Mr. Timberlake made 55 million dollars, his girlfriend 20 million. They both have the luxury of going in WDW and being able to get onto rides without having to wait in line. Unfortunately, or fortunately, whichever way you look at it, they are celebrities. Mr. Timberlake has teenage girls who are well smitten over him. I understand that they just want a vacation, but, honestly, spend the money on a private island instead, otherwise, accept the fact that in a park that gets 80,000 visitors a day, you will get your photo taken, and just smile. Acting like a spoiled celebrity does nothing for your reputation.
Just mho.

 

[Michelle2]

Badgerfan, I soo totally agree with you. And I kinda wish that it was you he spoke to, so that you could give him a little dose of reality. I was really angered when I read your post.
I have no support or tolerance at all for those who expect special treatment, like cutting in line when it is convenient for them, but then gets mad when someone from a distance is filming him. That was TOTAL hypocrisy. If they want fame, they will have to deal with the pressures AND lack of privacy that come with it. And I don't feel that that family violated his privacy at all...everyone I am sure knew that it was him, and he was there.
My sister (14) and I got to meet Justin, but it was a while back in 1998, when he was still with N'sync. It was at a promo party put on to help their publicity no doubt, so they were all very affable, and kind to their fans. So now that he has that publicity that they worked to get, he is rude to fans. Geez, what a difference a few years makes...I used to think highly of him for being nice to my sister, but now, I am very disappointed. And I also have a tip to add for Justin, if you don't want as much problems with publicity, then don't go during a busy time in the summer! DUH!

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

Even if his picture riding Dumbo were to appear in the Enquirer or other magazine would that have been so bad?

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by Prince Eric1
Thats the price of fame. He wants to be famous, clamors to the spotlight (superbowl, prime example), but he wants to turn around and turn the fame on and off at his choosing and expect no one to acknowledge his fame and fans to run the opposite way?

I don't condone his behavior in this particular incident. He was drawing attention to himself, therefore he should expect to be filmed and photographed. From your statements I gather you feel anyone in the public eye is less deserving of normal life than the rest of us. Celebrities are known for their talents and abilities. They are also real people with real lives. They deserve the right to a normal, relaxing vacation like anyone else.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

I have no problem with celebrities being escorted around and not waiting in line. I just can't defend Timberlake for being a jerk. So what if this were Paparazzi? All he was doing was riding Dumbo! Geez, every other person in WDW is holding some kind of camera. If he didn't want his picture taken, he sure came to the wrong place. Not to mention, Dumbo is one of the most highly visible rides in the park! From my understanding, nobody could ride Dumbo when they were riding? That just screams, "Notice me!". In his own words, "Cry Me a River". I don't feel sorry for him.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm liking him less and less every day and this one just put me over. I feel NO sympathy for him whatsoever. The poor man did NOTHING wrong!

Good thing he didn't say that to me or my DH.

You want fame and fortune? Well, video and photo taking are part of the package.

 

[imamicki2]

Without us, they wouldn't be celebrities-period

P.S.- with all their money, couldn't they have had the park after hours........by themselves! What a jerk.

 

[freediverdude]

Well, I do understand about not wanting someone to sell his picture to the tabloids. But, this is not some photographer hiding outside his home in the bushes. This is a crowded public theme park. Heck, even I've ended up in strangers photos and videos there, just from being there and walking around. In a crowded public place like that, I don't think he has any right to tell someone that they can't point their camera his direction, any more than I would have the right to go up to a stranger and tell them not to point the camera my way while I'm walking past or riding a ride. Yes, he has a right to privacy in his own house or another private area, but, like the rest of us, he's going to be seen when he goes into a public place.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by ChisJo
Last year, Mr. Timberlake made 55 million dollars, his girlfriend 20 million. They both have the luxury of going in WDW and being able to get onto rides without having to wait in line. Unfortunately, or fortunately, whichever way you look at it, they are celebrities. Mr. Timberlake has teenage girls who are well smitten over him. I understand that they just want a vacation, but, honestly, spend the money on a private island instead, otherwise, accept the fact that in a park that gets 80,000 visitors a day, you will get your photo taken, and just smile. Acting like a spoiled celebrity does nothing for your reputation.
Just mho.

 

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by LovesHauntedMansion
Even if his picture riding Dumbo were to appear in the Enquirer or other magazine would that have been so bad?

Actually, a photo of them having fun on Dumbo did appear in People magazine. By the look of the photo, the photog had to be in the elephant in front of them. LOL!