Celebrities often have role models or idols that have inspired them over the years. It can be both a surreal and overwhelming experience to meet someone you have looked up to for so long. Whether it’s through getting a meeting arranged, bumping into them on the red carpet, or being lucky enough to actually work with them on a movie or TV project, we’ve all had moments when meeting our role models that are just as exciting as any other moment in life. Here are some of the top times celebrities have met their celebrity idols.
Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola
Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola have a unique relationship. Not only did Kirsten first come to fame starring in Sofia Coppola’s 1994 classic film The Virgin Suicides, but the two have also worked together on many other films – Marie Antoinette, Somewhere, and The Bling Ring. On top of that, Kirsten said in an interview that she had been attending screenings of Coppola’s films since she was young and that Coppola was one of the reasons she got into acting. Kirsten spent many years admiring Sofia and her work, so it was a special moment for the two when they finally met.
David Beckham and Pele
David Beckham and Pele have been compared to each other for years due to their shared passion for the beautiful game of soccer. Beckham was such a fan that growing up he had a poster of Pele on his wall. In 2005, Beckham’s childhood dream came true when he finally had the opportunity to meet Pele in Brazil. Though the meeting was kept private, Beckham said in an interview that he was “speechless” to finally be in the presence of his idol.
Dwayne Johnson and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Dwayne Johnson is well known for his long-time idolization of Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, Johnson’s first-ever meeting with his idol happened before Johnson became an actor, when he was in college and running a show himself. Johnson said in an interview that he invited Schwarzenegger to give a talk and was shocked when the Action star “actually showed up.” Johnson was blown away that Arnold was in the room and he was even able to shake the hand of his idol.
Jack Black and Will Ferrell
Jack Black and Will Ferrell were two of the biggest comedic stars of the early 2000s, and Jack Black has said in interviews that Will Ferrell was a major influence on him. Jack Black says he even studied Ferrell’s movies to learn comedic timing. Jack Black was finally able to meet Will Ferrell in the summer of 2004, when the two collaborated on a Fox sketch show. After working together, Jack Black said that it was “a dream come true” to have the opportunity to work with one of his idols.
Bryan Cranston and Christopher Walken
Bryan Cranston has had a long-time admiration for Christopher Walken, who was Cranston’s favourite movie star as a child. Cranston was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work on an episode of SNL with Walken in 1995. Cranston said that meeting Walken was “magical” and that the two had a great time together. The two were so in sync and comfortable with each other that Cranston said his co-star was “mentoring [him]” even though Cranston was already an accomplished actor himself.
Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks
Ariana Grande has been vocal about her admiration of Stevie Nicks – so much so that she even named her album “Sweetener” after Nicks’ 1985 song “Edge of Seventeen”. In a twist of fate, Grande had the opportunity to work with her idol on the song “Wicked Game” for her 2019 album “Thank U, Next”. After meeting Nicks for the first time, Grande said in an interview that the rockstar was “everything [she] hoped she would be and more.”
For most fans, meeting our idols is a momentous life event that we remember for years to come. For celebrities, it can be even more special as it’s one of the rare occasions when they get to see that their idols are just as normal as them, and it can also remind them that their own dreams are achievable. These are just a few examples of the special moments when celebrities were able to meet their celebrity idols. From soccer stars to rock legends, it’s clear that celebrities who have looked up to their idols for years find it to be one of the best experiences of their lives when they finally get the chance to meet in person.
