Can Fame Make You Happy?

Who wouldn’t want to be famous? 

Just imagine trading lives with one of the world’s biggest stars, singer and musician Taylor Swift. Millions of adoring fans would flock to your sold-out concerts. Your fabulous homes (eight in total) would have breathtaking views of glittering skylines and golden beaches. Want
to go on vacation in Paris or Tokyo? You would hop on a private jet and just . . . go! 

Sounds like a dream come true, right?

Who wouldn’t want to be famous?

Just imagine switching lives with one of the world’s biggest stars, singer and musician Taylor Swift.

Millions of fans would go to your concerts. Your eight fabulous homes would have amazing views of cities and beaches. Do you want to visit Paris or Tokyo? You would hop on a private plane and . . . go!

Sounds like a dream come true, right?

If you thought yes, you’re not alone. “A lot of kids believe that things like being super popular and having tons of followers will make them happy,” says Laurie Santos, a scientist who studies happiness. One survey found that one in three kids ages 9 to 15 value fame. 

It’s easy to see why. With millions of fans cheering you on, you would know for sure that you are appreciated. This can boost confidence and help you feel valued. 

Plus, fame often comes with a lot of money. For example, popular YouTubers, like 13-year-old Ryan Kaji, can make up to $50,000 per video. High earnings would help you pay for important things in the future, like a house, with less stress. And research shows that living without financial worries makes people happier. 

Besides, being famous doesn’t just help you. Many celebrities use their success and money to help address issues they care about. For example, basketball pro LeBron James has spent millions to make sure kids in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, have access to good schools and healthy foods. If you were famous, you could make a positive impact on your community—and beyond. 

If you thought yes, you aren’t alone. 

“A lot of kids believe that things like being super popular and having tons of followers will make them happy,” says Laurie Santos. She’s a scientist who studies happiness. One study found that one in three kids ages 9 to 15 care about fame. 

It’s easy to see why. You would feel appreciated as millions of fans cheer you on. This can help you believe in yourself and feel valued.  

Plus, famous people often make a lot of money. 

Popular YouTubers, like 13-year-old Ryan Kaji, can earn up to $50,000 per video. Earning a lot of money makes it easier to buy important things, like a house. And research shows that people feel happier when they aren’t worried about money. 

You can also use your success to help others. For example, basketball star LeBron James supports kids in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He’s spent millions of dollars to make sure they can go to good schools and eat healthy foods. If you were famous, you could make a difference in your community and the world. 

But for many people, fame just isn’t worth the trouble. 

Having millions of followers may sound exciting, but not everyone who follows big stars is a fan. Celebrities are often the targets of online bullying. 

Say you had 1 million followers online. If just 1 percent of them left mean comments on a post, you would receive 10,000 harmful messages. That can hurt your self-esteem—no matter how famous you are. 

Even when most people admire you, constant attention is stressful. Everything you say or do would be shared—and analyzed—by countless strangers. Taylor Swift has admitted that she was scared of making mistakes early on in her career. She knew that if she messed up, it could be in the news for months. That’s a lot of pressure!

What’s more, making and keeping true friends can be difficult when you are famous. You wouldn’t know if people wanted to be close to you because of who you are or what you have. Many people who became famous as kids, like actress Keke Palmer, feel like they missed out on the “normal” ways people grow closer with besties, like going out for ice cream or being in the same school clubs. 

Research shows that enjoying everyday activities like these is what makes us truly happy. And when we have what we need—a safe home, healthy food, and loving relationships—fame doesn’t add much.

So what does? “Play, get enough sleep, be kind, spend time with people you care about,” says Santos. That’s the secret to being happy—whether your name is Taylor Swift or not. 

But for many people, fame isn’t worth it. Having millions of followers might sound exciting. But famous people are often bullied online.

Imagine you had 1 million followers. If just 1 percent of them sent mean comments, you would receive 10,000 harmful messages. That can hurt your self-esteem, no matter how famous you are.

Besides, constant attention is stressful—even when most people like you. Strangers would talk about everything you say and do. Taylor Swift has said she used to be afraid of making mistakes. She knew that if she messed up, it could be in the news for months. That’s a lot of pressure!

Being famous can also make it hard to find and keep true friends. You wouldn’t know if people want to be close to you because of who you are or what you have. Many people who became famous as kids, like actress Keke Palmer, feel they missed out on “normal” ways to spend time with besties. They didn’t get to do simple things with friends, like go out for ice cream after school.

Research shows that enjoying simple activities like these is what makes us truly happy. When we have a safe home, healthy food, and loving relationships, fame doesn’t make us much happier.

So what does? “Play, get enough sleep, be kind, spend time with people you care about,” says Santos. That’s the secret to being happy, whether your name is Taylor Swift or not.