Want to scare a Hollywood star? Just set up a fundraiser in their name | Emma Brockes

"It's a tough time to be famous in Hollywood, what with dwindling respect levels for movie stars and the inability of anyone under 35 to recognise that George Clooney's lips weren't always that thin or that Brad Pitt, at one time, was a thing. Add to this a painful new pitfall for celebrities; not defending their unremarkable offspring from accusations of nepotism or explaining how big a role Ozempic has played in their new look,"

"With a baffled air and cradling his dog, Rourke popped up on social media to put the record straight. He had, he conceded, done a really terrible job in managing my career, and, per reports, had indeed been fighting with his former landlords. But, he said, if I needed money, I wouldn't ask for no fucking charity. I'd rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger."

Hollywood celebrities face dwindling respect and younger audiences often fail to recognise past appearances of major stars. New vulnerabilities include public scrutiny over nepotism and cosmetic changes such as Ozempic-related weight loss. Another emerging pitfall is unsolicited crowdfunding campaigns that foreground financial decline and cause humiliation. Many celebrities view public appeals for money as damaging to their professional image unless tied to genuine heroism or charitable need. Mickey Rourke publicly denied knowledge of a GoFundMe set up in his name and issued a profane rebuke of charity. Similar public misunderstandings have forced other stars to correct claims about homelessness.

Read at www.theguardian.com