There's a person in SFF who shot to fame in recent years... before they were ready for it. We've been friends through that rise, but privately; I've been their first point of contact in many crises, and walked them through their many missteps along the way. I neither condemn nor praise unduly, and we always talk about the challenge of being famous for messy reasons. I always knew the rush to fame would hurt them. They weren't ready for it. They also had no other choice once the momentum started.
I know that's cryptic, but...
While I'm handling the latest run of emotions that this person is struggling with right now, I just want to share the broader cautionary note:
Pedestals suck for everyone.
They reduce our ability to be the messy, ever-striving, ever-learning critters we always are.
As much as you can, try not to elevate anyone in your life to the point where they lose the ability to be human, too. 💙 Cults of celebrity are never healthy things.