Have you been to a convention (any kind) and met a famous person you cared about?

[Naruzeldamaster]

I don't mean like, you treat that individual as an idol or stuff.
I just mean like, you love their work, want to meet em and have an actual convo with them (rather than dealing with their 'ugh at a con' persona)

If I could pick anyone that famous to have an actual convo with, maybe Christina Vee
And maybe like 1 or two youtubers I watch. Like I'd love to just chill at a diner or something with Markiplier and ask him about how he handles everything.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

I've been to Fan Expo and Comic Con a couple times, but never went to any panels or got anyone's autograph. The closest I got was getting a picture next to a cardboard-cutout of David Tennant.
There's a small list of people I would like to meet in-person, but assembling that list will have to wait.

 

[Karlin]

I went to a series of talks given by a well know local author, Haim Be'er, and struck up an aquaintance with him. I hope to meet him for a cup of coffee someday, but things have been rather unsettled here recently.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I went to a series of talks given by a well know local author, Haim Be'er, and struck up an aquaintance with him. I hope to meet him for a cup of coffee someday, but things have been rather unsettled here recently.

This is the kind of meeting I'm thinking about. I'd love to just have a cup a with say one of the youtubers I watch and just chat. Like, no fanboying, no 'omg it's really you' just like, being normal and picking their brain some. It'd be interesting to see how they react to someone who isn't like 'omg it's actually you' lol I imagine it'd be easier to start a convo without that vibe. (Though internally I'd be doing that just a bit)

Granted, that might change depending on how famous the individual is, but I'd imagine they'd be relieved to have a normal convo with a fan as long as they aren't in the middle of something.

 

[TWErvin2]

I've been an author guest at some conventions over the years. One neat discussion was with Harry Turtledove. I've read and enjoyed some of his works (he is very prolific). When he found out that I really liked Roger Zelazny's writing, he shared some of the instances they'd spent time together and what he was like, and enjoyed talking about. Unfortunately, Roger Zelazny passed away before I really got involved in writing and becoming an author.

I also had a table next to Claudia Christian once. She friendly and funny. I've always liked the Babylon 5 series.

One thing I note while at my table about other authors, artists and guests is to see how genuine they are, or at least appear to be. When the convention goers are at their table, they are all smiles. But the second the congoers turn to leave, the smile immediately fades, like a switch, it says something. As compared to authors or artists who continue to smile a short bit afterwards and genuinely enjoyed or appreciated the interaction. It is not, of course, 100% accurate. An author could, for example, have something really stressful happening in their life and are striving to be upbeat and professional when face to face with readers and/or fans.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I've been an author guest at some conventions over the years. One neat discussion was with Harry Turtledove. I've read and enjoyed some of his works (he is very prolific). When he found out that I really liked Roger Zelazny's writing, he shared some of the instances they'd spent time together and what he was like, and enjoyed talking about. Unfortunately, Roger Zelazny passed away before I really got involved in writing and becoming an author.

I also had a table next to Claudia Christian once. She friendly and funny. I've always liked the Babylon 5 series.

One thing I note while at my table about other authors, artists and guests is to see how genuine they are, or at least appear to be. When the convention goers are at their table, they are all smiles. But the second the congoers turn to leave, the smile immediately fades, like a switch, it says something. As compared to authors or artists who continue to smile a short bit afterwards and genuinely enjoyed or appreciated the interaction. It is not, of course, 100% accurate. An author could, for example, have something really stressful happening in their life and are striving to be upbeat and professional when face to face with readers and/or fans.

I think a lot of that depends on how much of their 'at a con/at work' persona is just their normal personality too.
A lot of youtubers are 'playing a character' a bit, but still mostly being themselves I think. There are some exceptions to this.
I can think of a couple of youtubers who are probably literally just themselves, but exaggerated for the camera.
And I can think of a couple of youtubers who are just Chill in general. (Nintendo Capri Sun is one of them)

Famous famous people, I can't really tell because I've never sat down and chatted with any of them. I know it's not that simple, but I also know it's probably not the same as media often depicts these kinds of people.

But it's pretty true, especially with voice actors. It's somewhat spooky but I can 'feel' when a Voice actor is truly 'IN ' the role.
It can be easy to tell when someone is just reading a script for a paycheck.

 

[pmmg]

There are not a lot of famous people in my past. I met Josh Gates, and I saw Robert Plant in concert. As well as Lynyrd Skynard (post plane crash). Phil Collins and Imagine Dragons. I've seen some politicians and news people too... Two Presidents, Jimmy Carter and Biden (<--the two worst IMO). I probably saw some others but did not know the significance. Ive been to Odacons and Mario conventions with the kids.