Paul McCartney has never been one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, and recently, he has turned his attention to the state of modern fame.
The Beatles icon, who has spent over three decades in the entertainment industry, has witnessed the rise of countless entertainers.
However, he admits he’s unimpressed with today’s social media fame system.
During an appearance on the podcast “The Rest Is Entertainment,” McCartney reflected on how fame has evolved in the age of social media, admitting he struggles to understand how people achieve stardom without talent.
“I think a lot of this influencer stuff – I just don’t really get it, because I’m not that generation,” McCartney told hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman. “I think it’s funny – and I suppose it always happened – but people who don’t seem to be particularly talented are incredibly famous. Billions of hits and views.”
The songwriter joked that discussing the subject makes him sound “old-fashioned,” though he openly embraced that label. He then compared today’s celebrity culture with the fame he experienced in the 1960s and explained why he has avoided taking photos with fans.
The Beatles’ lead singer noted that taking pictures with fans affects his sense of identity and normality, referencing a monkey used for tourist photographs in Saint-Tropez. According to him, when he does participate in photo taking, he feels like that monkey.
After McCartney shared his thoughts, fans online had different reactions. Some agreed with him, while others felt he was being hypocritical.
One supporter wrote in the comments section, “Paul is certainly someone who has earned the right to say there are so very many people, influencers, etc who are hugely famous and yet seem to lack a shred of talent.”
This user on X opposed McCartney writing, “And yet @thebeatles and Apple hire and give free stuff to influencers to promote their stuff to the doom scrolling generation, ignoring old school fans. The irony is hilarious.”
While another spectator called McCartney’s comment “boomer thoughts,” this user blasted the veteran singer as “the pot calling the kettle black.”
More fans backed up the legendary bassist as one fan called how influencers make money a “very low-rent work and it appeals to the instant generation.”
A seventh commenter called influencers “cancers of the society,” and another praised the 83-year-old artist as greater than “all modern stars combined times 100.”
Robert Downey Jr. Previously Addressed The Influencer Culture
McCartney’s criticism of the influencer culture comes a week after Robert Downey Jr. spoke on the same topic.
As The Blast reported, Downey Jr. spoke about how fame has shifted over the years and how anyone can now gain attention simply by filming themselves on a phone.
While he didn’t think the change was bad, what he rejected was the idea that influencers will become the dominant stars of the future, saying the thought is “absolute horsesh-t.”
However, his opinions earned him backlash online from critics who slammed him for benefiting from the same social media culture he criticizes.
Paul McCartney Refused To Host His Own Netflix Roast
Aside from his commentary on modern fame, McCartney recently made headlines after reports revealed he declined an invitation to headline his own Netflix roast special.
After the massive success of the 2024 roast of Tom Brady, organizers wanted another globally recognized icon. The franchise’s executive producer and comedian, Jeff Ross, confirmed McCartney would be a perfect choice.
“We did ask Paul McCartney at one point. To me, that would be a fantasy roast,” Ross told Variety. “Paul McCartney doesn’t need anything, but a Paul McCartney roast would be good for the world. It would be so funny to me because he is so loved.”
However, the “Yesterday” singer passed on the opportunity, leaving Kevin Hart to headline this year’s show.
Sabrina Carpenter Once Had A Childhood Crush On McCartney
Ross’ comment about McCartney being a good fit may not be far off, especially considering the lasting impression the music icon has had across generations.
Per The Blast, Sabrina Carpenter shared a funny story about discovering McCartney as a child after hearing “Rocky Raccoon” for the first time.
According to the singer, the track’s storytelling and songwriting instantly drew her in, leaving her so fascinated by McCartney that she developed a childhood crush on him and even imagined he would one day become her husband.
