Over the weekend, a Stranger Things fan posted a video to Twitter in which he criticized Finn Wolfhard (who plays Mike) for refusing to stop for a picture. The video shows the fan waiting outside of Wolfhard’s hotel, calling to the actor as he leaves and again as he returns, presumably the same night. The caption for the video reads, “Imagine being 14 and heartless that you can’t even stop for your fans who made you famous in the first place! WOW.”
That is a horrible way to react to this situation, for reasons Shannon “Barb” Purser was quick to point out as she jumped in to defend her former co-star.
https://twitter.com/shannonpurser/status/926928218191466496
In addition to being human, Wolfhard is fourteen. A child. A child who’s working a full-time job.
I experience this on a significantly smaller scale, obviously, but I’ve had people waiting for me in hotel lobbies, at my airport gate, etc.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) November 5, 2017
And I’m an adult. I can’t imagine being inundated with all this attention at his age. It’s intimidating.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) November 5, 2017
So, from one big sister to the world, don’t you DARE make young actors feel guilty or indebted to you because they couldn’t say hi.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) November 5, 2017
They give you their art. They love their fans. Don’t take advantage of that. And if you can’t handle them needing space, stay away.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) November 5, 2017
It would be truly fantastic if we could stop needing to have this conversation. As fans, we are in no way entitled to any part of actors that they do not choose to share with us. The price of fame is not full access and availability at all times for whatever purpose any random person demands, especially not–and again, I can’t believe this actually has to be stated this explicitly–WHEN THE PERSON WE’RE TALKING ABOUT IS A CHILD.
https://twitter.com/SophieT/status/927653919773294604
https://twitter.com/SophieT/status/927653996256473093
And while we’re on the subject of ways we should 100% not be talking about these children, let’s add this to the list:
https://twitter.com/MikeSington/status/923976658985533440
This isn’t just limited to a few frenzied fans. Paparazzi and some reporters would also do well to remember that these are children.
The paparazzi need to leave the cast of stranger things alone, they are going to literally ruin these kids lives just to make a quick buck
— RyansAverageLife (@RyanAbe) November 6, 2017
These are humans. They are actors, meaning they produce work for us to consume and no part of their job permits fans to make demands on them personally. And please let’s not forget:
They are kids. They are kids. They are kids.
— lauren warren (@iamlaurenp) November 4, 2017
Not—so—friendly reminder that:
Finn Wolhard is: 14
Noah Schnapp is: 13
Millie Bobby Brown is: 13
Gaten Matarazzo is: 15
Caleb McLaughlin is: 16
Sadie Sink is: 15
AND THEY AREN'T 'HOT' OR 'SEXY'
Bye.— sofsof (@noyasuun) November 5, 2017
(image: Shutterstock)
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