Tom Hiddleston doesn’t want to take selfies with you: ‘I don’t want to sound like a tw-t’

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As with so many of Hiddleston stories, yesterday’s was big with commenters. Yesterday’s post was all about a couple of quotes from Tommy about his poshness, his politics and how he reacts to being famous now. I found it interesting, but it felt like we weren’t getting the complete quotes. So I found a scan of the original Time Out London article and transcribed the interesting answers for you. YOU ARE WELCOME. What I found was that the fame quotes were pretty much in-context but the posh quotes were more nuanced than The Telegraph led me to believe. Here are the full quotes:

Living in London: “I came back after ‘The Avengers’ and I’ve been here ever since, But yes, London can be troublesome. I don’t want to sound like a twat, but sometimes you just don’t want to have to stop and take a selfie. It’s weird when you know people are posting you on Facebook.”

Respecting his fans: “I remember as a young actor being treated contemptuously by people I hoped would be great. And I thought, ‘You’ve got this amazing life, you’ve probably got everything you want, why are you behaving like a c—k?’ I knew that if I ever found myself in that position, I’d remember to treat people with equanimity and kindness.”

On the assumptions that he’s posh: :Let’s be clear. At the beginning of my career, I had an easier ride through lean times. I’m lucky. And I understand negative perspectives. The thing is, I don’t think actors and directors give a sh-t. It feels like ammunition for someone who’s got an axe to grind. They write things about me and I think, I’m not this person, I’m not in the Conservative party, it’s just an accident of birth and I’m sorry if you’re offended by that.”

On Tilda Swinton: “She’s extraordinary. She has this mantra: life is all about kindness, friendship and dancing. But she’s played some fractured, strange people in films that contained a lot of pain. So she was longing to make a film about love. As was I, actually.”

Is he a romantic? “Real love is strange and changeable.. but also somehow constant. These characters are ancient, their lives are long, they’ve seen things grow and die. So you’re picking up conversations that might have been happening ofr years, centuries even. I like that.”

On the idea of becoming a rock star: “Ha! Being a rock star is very unlikely for me. I’m just not cool enough.”

What he couldn’t do for a role: “I think I would find extreme weight loss a challenge. I eat like a horse every day! Having said that, I remember watching ‘Hunger’ and being astonished by Michael Fassbender’s performance.”

Who he’s rooting for at the BAFTAs: “Chiwetel Ejiofor. I did ‘Othello’ with him and Ewan McGregor at the Donmar and it was the sort of performance that comes along every 25 years.”

On the Star Wars rumors: “Well, that hasn’t happened yet. It’s be very flattering, of course. I did talk to Ewan about it once. When they asked if he wanted to be Obi-Wan Kenobi he said: ‘Are you joking? Of course!’ But his experience didn’t live up to the promise. Besides, I imagine they’re looking for people who don’t have an association elsewhere. The audience need to believe in the character, rather than saying, ‘Oh look, Loki with a lightsaber!’”

[From Time Out London, print edition via Torrilla’s scan]

I like the shout-outs to Tilda, Fassbender and Chiwetel. God, I hope Chiwetel wins something too. The BAFTA would be amazing, but the Oscar would be pretty great too. Where was I? Oh, right. Hiddles. I like that he acknowledges he would have problems losing a lot of weight for a role. I believe he lost some weight to play the rocker-vampire in Only Lovers Left Alive, but he’s a pretty skinny guy to begin with. I would like to see him accept a role where he really had to bulk up. That would be interesting. Hiddles… with twenty extra pounds of muscles. Mm.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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179 Responses to “Tom Hiddleston doesn’t want to take selfies with you: ‘I don’t want to sound like a tw-t’”

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  1. LadySlippers says:

    I tried looking for this article and failed miserably.

    Thank you Kaiser — you’re today’s Heroine! That is until I replace you 😉

    Hehe

    ETA: KAISER! You failed to post a scruffy pic of Tom! I placed my Heroine label on you much too hastily!!!

    *mercilessly yanks off Kaiser’s Heroine Title*

  2. Hello Kitty says:

    Guess I should scratch that off my list when I stalk him in Toronto…

    • LadySlippers says:

      No No No Hello Kitty!!! If say, for instance, your in an important costume, he might think he’s taking another selfie for the greater good of humanity!

      *trashes Canadian Mounty costume and hands Hello Kitty Astronaut costume*

      *grabs costume back to affix the Canadian flag to costume*

      *really hopes no one thinks I stole it from the Gravity set*

      See? All better!

      • Hello Kitty says:

        Ha! I’ll just hang out in downtown Toronto in an astronaut suit. Wait, where DID you get the astronaut suit?!?!

      • LadySlippers says:

        Ummmm….errrr…. It was in a trash can a few parks over from the Garden. I swear that’s where I found it.

        See? A selfie with an astronaut is just soooo cool.

        (Isn’t this fun? You know, being an enthusiastic FAN but not stalker? I’m reading all about it in a book called ‘How Not to Cross the Line and Get Slapped with a Restraining Order: A Guide for Dedicated Fans’ )

      • j.eyre says:

        You are on a roll today, LadySlippers. If you keep making me laugh this hard, I might even unlock the door and let you pet him. Might.

      • TommyAnnE says:

        I do have a nice møøse outfit ready for Canada! Do you think that disguise will do? Oh wait, Ben is borrowing it….

        And I am practicing my churlish look for the rabid fans. See? *Churl*

      • j.eyre says:

        *shiver* oh, TommyAnna… Let’s remember that one, shall we?

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        Reverse psychology ladies. Tell Tom you don’t want to take a selfie with him either, but your fans demand it. It will leave him wondering who you are to have fans and whilst he is working out his confusion, you can snap away.

        (WE of course are your fans should he have the audacity to ask!).

        I think he’s kidding himself if he thinks we believe for one second he couldn’t lose weight readily! Seems like the type that the instant he got sick he would become scrawny (NEVER get sick Tom, although I think you would be handsome as jam regardless of fat, thin, tall ,short, pale, orange, hair, bald, tired, alert, spectacled, not spectacled, etc!!).

        Looks like he is on the lookout for a love story to film. Any suggestions ladies?? I could bust out one of my scripts for him I suppose, but that would involve me sitting in a room with him for hours, DAYS even, discussing characterizations. I just don’t know if I can make that sort of sacrifice at this busy time of my life…
        *looks at watch and wonders what is on TV for the next 7 hours*
        🙂

        LOVE the idea of an Astronaut riding a moose costume! That wouldn’t look suspicious at all and I would definitely want a picture taken with that!

      • Janeite says:

        You are everything that is adorable, Secret Squirrel. 🙂

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        @Janeite – Ah come on now, look at the wonderful material I had to work with!

      • Kelly says:

        “Reverse psychology ladies. Tell Tom you don’t want to take a selfie with him either, but your fans demand it. It will leave him wondering who you are to have fans and whilst he is working out his confusion, you can snap away.”
        AHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
        (This just reminded me of my epic lunatic colleague from uni who once randomly came upon a famous football player and asked him “how about an autograph?”, the player said “sure”, my trolling friend responded “here, enjoy” taking out a piece of paper and signing it himself – he said the player looked downright furious, but my friend was in fits and giggles, and I commended him)

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Somewhere in the attic, we have a Canadian customs officer uniform if that would help?

  3. Lindy79 says:

    I get what he’s saying. It must be weird when people approach you for a photo when you’re just going about your business walking down the street, maybe not feeling or looking your best and that’s just the ones that ask…the others who snap without asking..just no.

    Love his comments about Tilda, Chiwetel and Michael. you do get the impression that he genuinely admires people.

    • V4real says:

      “The ones who snap without asking” That would be the paps right?

      Welcome to Superstardom Tom. But I get what he’s saying, not really because I’m not a celeb making mils. But even they need their alone minding my own business time.

      • LadySlippers says:

        I think even fans take pics w/o asking.

      • lunchcoma says:

        Not necessarily paps. Sometimes fans take pictures of famous people when they’re drinking coffee or taking the subway. That always struck me as uncomfortable, since it seems a little too close to taking a picture of a building or a zoo animal, and I can see how someone would mind that.

      • LadySlippers says:

        But Lunchie — are you saying celebs aren’t just caged animals?

        *wilts*

        😉

        On a serious note, I really think I’d have some major reservations taking a sneaky shot of someone out trying to be ‘normal’. That really feels too voyeuristic to me. YUCK.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Yes I meant the fans who do. I’ve mainly seen examples of “He Who Shall Not be named in a Hiddles thread”, and it’s made me cringe.
        It’s a curse of modern day celebrity unfortunately, if you live in a city and are not a complete A Lister that can afford high walls and a private driver everywhere then it can be hard to just live your life, everyone with a camera phone (so just about everyone) can snap away without asking.

      • V4real says:

        LOL… the pap comment was my poor attempt at humor. And like they say if you have to explain a joke then it wasn’t funny. 🙂

      • joe spider says:

        Funnily enough there was an interview with Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) last year, and he said he didn’t mind so much when people ask if they can take a photo but when he is just sitting there having a quiet drink “everyone has f***ing camera phone” and they take pictures without asking.

      • Janeite says:

        Joe Spider, I love Brendan Coyle! And I understand what he said. I think that people might be afraid to actually ask for a photo for fear of being turned down (or maybe they genuinely don’t want to bother the person) so they just snap a pic surreptitiously. I can understand how that is an invasion of privacy. It would be just as unwelcome if a total stranger took a picture of any of us while we are just trying to live our lives.

      • Kelly says:

        Actually most celebs sightings on twitter are random folks bumping into celebs and secretly taking pictures of them from a distance. It’s entertainingly disturbing.

      • belle says:

        There was a fan last month who followed Tom Hiddleston and took pictures of him carrying his groceries home.

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        I think he is going to struggle to close that barn door now. His fans are used to him giving them pretty much anything they want, so the new behavior is going to take time to sink in. I hope he sticks to his guns and the less balanced fans will grow bored and move on as their addictive personalities require them to attach to someone “available” to them.

        I really cringed when Tom was in Korea for Thor 2 promotion (and THAT dance clip!) and just seeing him getting ready to come through customs was enough to get the girls screaming. I mean really screaming and squealing. I would have turned and run away if I was him. Then again it was probably an everyday event for him at that point.

        Bring on the next sucker who believes he can control his fame!

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        I would love to do a psychology course on why seeing someone on TV/movie screen/live band makes some “extreme” people behave they way they do when they see this person(s) in real life. Is it an addictive personality?? Hmmmmm…

        *rubs fake bearded chin and puffs on an imaginary pipe*

        I have to say, the biggest celebrity I have ever met in person was lovely, friendly and didn’t mind my fawning over them or taking pictures. The fact that it was the Border Collie from “Babe” is beside the point!! She was awesome!! I realize you will all be insanely jealous of me now, but do try to remember I am just like you and haven’t let my brush with fame taint me at all!

        I will ashamedly admit I once took a distant pic of Liam Neeson on the beach many many moons ago. However the retribution gods have repaid me as I seem to have deleted or lost the picture from my computer during a drive upgrade…
        *shakes fist at retribution gods*

        Argh, this isn’t where I meant to post this…
        *doubles fist-shaking efforts at retribution gods*

      • Kelly says:

        I was beginning to fume at you Squirrel, but then I realized you were talking about the dog and not the pig, so nah, if it ain’t THE Babe, babe, it ain’t worth mah while!

      • Lindy79 says:

        Squirrel did you see the tour he did with a local celeb (Tiffany) in Korea? I know tv is different over there but the start of it, it’s like a cheesy rom com.

        I love at .57 where you can kind of see someone push him out then step out of view.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxcHDdOApk8

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        Thanks Lindy. I hadn’t seen that one, but yes, definitely Rom Com territory! It kind of ruins his big entrance when that person steps out, realizes Tom is on his way and then steps in again. It doesn’t look like Luke though!

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Secret Squirrel, I would have loved to have met the border collie from “Babe.” She rocked.

  4. SonjaMarmeladova says:

    I love this. I love that he acknowledged that he had it easier trough lean times at the beginning – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
    The more I read his “serious” interviews, the more I like him.

    • Zadie says:

      Yeah, it’s strangely refreshing, because very few actors admit having it easy in the beginning.

    • Hiddles forever says:

      Same for me. I like him a lot more when he releases serious interviews.

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      Hi Sonja. It is nice that he has real “Substance” to his persona, isn’t it. It was his more serious roles and interviews that made me take notice of him. Don’t get me wrong, I think Loki made the whole Thor and Avengers franchise work and Tom done a brilliant job creating that character to suit his own style (the Shakespearean traits etc) but he can deliver on the heavier stuff too.

  5. Felice says:

    shots fired…..in all serious I’m glad that he understands that he couldn’t continue this. When you don’t set boundaries, things will always get out of hand. I like him a lot as an actor and seems to have a good spirit. He’s probably very overworked and will be able to set a good balance later on.

    • joe spider says:

      Do you think he has really started changing his attitude since the behaviour of the “fans” at the Donmar has obviously adversely affected OTHER members of the cast, staff and audiences which isn’t fair on them. He did give out a warning on twitter, which I guess was ignored, so he pulled back.

  6. PalePuss says:

    This is the full interview on Time Out website:

    http://www.timeout.com/london/film/tom-hiddleston-interview-im-just-not-cool-enough

    I wonder how he spent his birthday. Nothing surfaced on line and he didn’t even acknowledge the fans’ wishes.

  7. Lark says:

    I love him, and I think it’s good he is setting boundaries. Stans can be so entitled and out of control nowadays…remembering that creepy story Benedict told of a fan snapping a photo of him changing his shirt in front of his apartment window or whatever. I made the mistake of wandering into Tumblr recently (haven’t been in a while), and they were saying insane things like checking the geo-tags for coordinates of the social media account of people TommyAnnE know to see if any pics were taken near or at TommyAnnE’s abode. SO DISTURBING and crossing the line. I’m glad TommyAnne is setting some boundaries, stat, because some of the stans are downright stalking his ass. I like how he acknowledges his background, and his experience as a young actor.

    • Hiddles forever says:

      Yes, true. Some of these people are out of their minds.

    • Maria says:

      Good for him! All that fan love can be a bit much. People who really appreciate his talent will give him his space. I’ve seen famous people where I work, but I never bother them. I figure they’re on their private time and leave them well alone, unless they come to me to take care of something or have a question.
      That said: LOKI WITH A LIGHTSABER! I’d pay to see that.

  8. Sunflower says:

    [Obligatory comment comparing him to that other guy]

  9. Kali says:

    I’d love to see him in a movie where he’s playing a member of a modern day military branch. Big muscly Hiddleston in current day uniform? Yes please (that thought is my Valentine’s gift to myself…)

  10. ItSetsYou says:

    Q:”Are you a romantic”?
    A: “Lalalalalala ancient lalalalalala centuries…”

    Are you a romantic or not? :))))

    • Hiddles forever says:

      Hahahahaha +1,000

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      Yep, I got the whole “ignore the question by answering it whilst not actually answering it” vibe too! Then again, he has been pretty obvious in not really answering those private questions for a while now.

      However he has been quoted in the past as saying a girlfriend should be treated special so I think he is a romantic, but doesn’t wish to be judged by it (are there degrees of romance??).

    • ItSetsYou says:

      @Secret Squirrel
      See, and I don’t see how that is a personal question! To me it’s like asking “are you an optimist? or “are you an extrovert?” It’s not a question about his current personal relationships but about his personality. So him being vague is kind of annoying.

      • lunchcoma says:

        He’s been asked the same question in the affirmative several times in the past, so I don’t find it too annoying that he chose to avoid it this particular time. My guess would be that a generally romantic dude might not have been feeling especially romantic when he gave that particular interview – he comes across as being a tad cranky.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @lunchcoma, what tipped you off that he might have been a tad cranky? The colorful swearing?

      • ItSetsYou says:

        @lunchcoma
        But actors rarely get asked truly unique questions. It’s always about the same thing, because that’s what most people want to read about.

        Maybe he’s cranky because he’s getting really famous now and finally starting to understand why actors, who “got this amazing life… got everything you want… behaving like a c—k”? Because they get to be asked ‘are you romantic’ twice a week.

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      Ah yes, but answering that question would most likely lead to a “please elaborate” follow up question, then he is cornered! Best to avoid it altogether!

      I think it is a personal question, in that it defines part of his private personality. Its not a “deeply” personal question (religion, sexual preference, etc) but it still does come under the banner.

      • jammypants says:

        I agree. It’s like giving the public hope that they have a chance. Otherwise, why bother asking?

    • Maria says:

      That question always gets me. When someone asks ‘Are you Romantic?’, there are two meanings for the term: our modern amor-based emphasis and the older, truer spirit of an age term that encompassed the likes of Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven, Caspar David Friedrich, the Brontes, Fuseli, etc. It’d be funny if he ran with the latter as his answer.

      • Isadora says:

        If he would have run with the latter as his answer, then I could probably understand the crazy stans on tumblr/twitter/wherever… c’mon, Caspar David Friedrich, Fuseli, maybe a bit of euro-exiled Byron, Shelley and their bunch + a dash of weird E. T. A. Hoffmann… it hardly gets any better than that.

    • Kelly says:

      Actually, Maria, that’s not a modern vs. spirit of age thing, that’s simply the adjective “romantic” having two meanings – 1. “conducive to or characterized by the expression of love”, 2. “relating to or denoting the 18th century movement of Romanticism” 😀
      But mostly when someone asks you if you’re a romantic, they usually imply the first meaning (they’d specify otherwise, in the manner of “are you a fan of the Romantic period in art?”)

    • Lilacflowers says:

      He likes poetry. That’s a romantic.

    • kaisei says:

      The best reply to that answer he gave it a few months ago to a Russian magazine or website, can’t remember, when he mentioned how he used to love to do very romantic gestures, but now he is much more cautious about it.

  11. jammypants says:

    I never got what people meant about the trousergate thing. But that picture though. I get it. Omg.

    • Ag-UK says:

      Read the Elle UK interview he was horrified!! Took him 24 hrs to get to Cannes and he had never seen that photo she showed him on her phone. Poor guy!!

      • joe spider says:

        Was in very poor taste of Elle to bring that up again, As poor taste as making a comment about Jane Arthy.

  12. Angel May says:

    If u want muscle-y Tom just search for Coriolanus Tom pics. He’s almost NFLesque. Positively burly.

    • M.A.F. says:

      Or just watch the behind-the-scene video the Donmar released.

    • joe spider says:

      That made me wonder, because can you remember they published pics of the Crimson Peak actors having body casts back in August? Well if Tom had one then, surely it won’t fit now?

      • jammypants says:

        that’s a good point

      • M.A.F. says:

        Totally forgot about that. I wonder what it is for. I’m really looking forward to this film. Love del Torro. He could drop the weight/ muscle though. He might have time before he actually starts his part on the film.

      • joe spider says:

        Wouldn’t it be so they could have costumes ready for filming?

      • M.A.F. says:

        They don’t take a fully body cast for a costume. They would just use measuring tape for that. I hoping for some gruesome body modifications scenes hence the need for a body mold.

      • joe spider says:

        Should you be talking about taking a tape measure to Tom? 🙂

      • 'p'enny says:

        He was photographed in the same studio that Jessica was having a body-cast, in his blue shirt and he looked really slim. I get the feeling Tom drops weight fast, he runs way too much. I thought his weight really fluctuated last year, and it ages him when he get’s too thin. I hope he keeps the Coriolanus man-shape, because he looks really fit and healthy. His shoulders are a big turn on.

      • jammypants says:

        I noticed he’s been looking younger now that he’s less gaunt. I like meaty Hiddles.

    • browniecakes says:

      +1 TH looks fantastic now. Saw Coriolanus via NTLive. Have to say, many swoonworthy moments. And the video. Let’s see do I want to stop down and watch it again now, or do I want to get something done here at work? Hmm.

    • Kelly says:

      He looks good but he looks sort of unnaturally weird. I’m feeling him more as a lanky dorky pale willow, rather than a butch gladiator. It just isn’t him.

      • Isadora says:

        I think not necessarily dorky. I have no idea what Jim Jarmusch did to him, but for me he was so different from his normal dorky self in “Only Lovers Left Alive”, I would have barely recognized him – in a really good way. That movie is a gem anyway, Jarmusch is awesome, Tilda is wonderful, the music is to die for. I’m really glad he did it and actually I couldn’t even picture Fassbender as Adam although I’m really fond of Fassbenders acting (and looks hehe)…

  13. ZsaZsa says:

    Some people need to learn there is a time and a place for selfies with stars.
    At public events its accepted and some stats actually don’t mind doing it on their day off if the person is polite and hasn’t approached them when they’re busy.
    But come on people. Nobody would want to take a selfie if they are Ill, had some bad news, had an argument or is late for something. Neither do people want to have selfies when they’re shopping, in the rest room or having a meal.
    I also don’t think it’s professional when workers come in to contact with stars and behave in this way. It’s not done

    So I can completely understand Puddletom’s statement here. I wouldn’t be surprised if he looses it with the selfies takers either.

    • 'p'enny says:

      Tom said, “sometimes, i don’t want to take selfie…” sometimes, not always, sometimes. mmm some fans on tumblr didn’t read this sentence fully.

      Anyway, I wouldn’t dream of asking someone for a selfie, i don’t even get the autograph thing and as for a sneaky photo, i wouldn’t dare! maybe it’s my age, however, i would love a chance to have a few words… and say something interesting or nice about their current project [if i could think of anything 😉 ] but i would only dare if i found myself stuck in the same queue, ‘stuck’ next to one another for ten mins or more and that person seemed open for a chat. Maybe. just maybe if i was stuck on a train, sitting next to someone ‘famous’ i would smile, but really pretend i didn’t recognise them.

      But, I would never ever hound someone shopping or having a quiet coffee, etc i don’t get that.

      • M.A.F. says:

        Remember, we are living in the age of “if there is no photo, it didn’t happen.” So I do think part of it is a generation/ social media thing. I’m with you though, never really understood getting an autograph/picture. I’ve only ran into musicians that I like and respect and have only just thank them for a good show or album and really nothing more.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      At a Red Sox-Yankee game last summer, Denzel Washington was sitting next to the Yankee dugout. People (mostly guys) kept going down to that area and taking his picture, most without asking at all. Some did ask and he either smiled and in two cases that we saw, posed with the people. But the whole thing was getting ridiculous – he was there with his wife and other people – and those of us sitting in the area were getting tired of the parade of people blocking our view. The Fenway ushers finally started checking tickets for an inning or two and it calmed down. But my point is, people were just taking pictures without any concern for him and his friends or for the people around him. That’s just wrong.

  14. Lilacflowers says:

    Thank you for posting the actual article. The Telegraph took liberties, taking statements out of context and adding words of its own to change the tone and add an editorial spin. I’ve seen several other websites where similar things have happened with the same interview. No matter what people say about an actor or PR people controlling an image, the news media will do what it will and the actors have little or no control over how statements are spun.

    • jammypants says:

      The Telegraph is weird. It’s like they have a love/hate thing going on with the man. Full editorial and positive play review, then snide remark on his background in a news blast shortly after.

  15. ZsaZsa says:

    I read a fan encounter that some fans were really obsessive with their stalking. She did though mentioned that she liked to hang around the stage door herself on most days and take photos for her blog. I really wanted to message her ‘pot, kettle, Black’

  16. ItSetsYou says:

    BTW, what is his next project after the Coriolanus?

  17. Ashley says:

    I think his audition for the role of Thor is on YouTube–he put on muscle for that, but from what I’ve seen, it’s about what he looks like in Coriolanus. (Which I may not get to see, dammit, because of the weather; it’s showing 70 miles away and on the other side of the mountains. I really, really wish they’d release it on DVD.)

    And there’s another YouTube out there of him (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BotnlbhkV38) where he’s definitely taking control of the situation. Kind of ironic, really–a fan was taking the video of him getting waylaid in a parking garage!–but it’s absolutely clear that 1) he’s in charge and 2) he’s willing to give his fans what they want, but as far as possible, he’s going to keep it on his terms.

    I just worry about the crazies–not just for Hiddleston but for everybody who’s subject to rabid fanning. It only takes one nutjob, and you wind up like Rebecca Shaeffer or John Lennon.

  18. ItSetsYou says:

    I followed the link to read the entire interview and I think Tom is coy about his ‘unexpected’ fame 🙂 🙂 He says he never expected it yet a minute later he tells us “I knew that if I ever found myself in that position [of being a big actor]…” 🙂 The man just can’t lie 😉

  19. Shannon1972 says:

    Really nothing further to add to this thread…everyone has been so entertaining, and all angles have pretty much been covered, so I will just leave it to our Hiddles “experts” today.

    Thank you for the Hiddles post! Its a cranky, bored day snowed in -again- so this brightened it considerably. 😀

  20. ZsaZsa says:

    So after what PuddleTom said about obsessive fans, one silly girl ran on stage to get some of his fake blood according to twitter. No doubt she will be one of the ones who was condemning obsessives too.

    Also found the Tom’s glasses twitter account. It was up and running before the end of his segment on Top Gear. :/

    It’s valentine’s day and Ben is planning a romantic day for our tired star and his bunny but no Ivy or Fans this time. I wish them a happy time. Heard they made use of Mark as he’s cooking tonight.

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      Please tell me Mark is making spaghetti so they can recreate that “Lady and the tramp” scene with that one strand between them until they…until they…until they…

      *faints*

    • Kelly says:

      “So after what PuddleTom said about obsessive fans, one silly girl ran on stage to get some of his fake blood according to twitter. ”
      LOL, WHAT?!

    • 'p'enny says:

      Tom is Jesus…. give me his blood

      Seriously deranged. I hope they chucked her off.

      It was Cat Deeley! [joke] she had a nice tweet for Tom on twitter.

  21. Sage says:

    @ Kelly, your football player autograph story made me laugh so hard I make snorting noises. EPIC. I’m from the Deep South in ‘Merica, and football – especially college football – is closer to religion than sport. The players are practically worshipped by the fans.

    • Kelly says:

      Yeah I never understood how men get so god damn obsessed with any sport, I mean Jesus. But they do have a great sense of humor, I’ll give them that;)

      • joe spider says:

        What is the difference between men being obsessed with sports and women being obsessed with movie stars?

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Here, in Boston, women are also obsessed with athletes. I make sure I never touch the elevator doors in our hockey/basketball arena after seeing teenage girls licking the pictures of Rajon Rondo and Tuukka Rask that were plastered on those doors.

  22. Gin Princess says:

    His Twitter is now dull, and I think he did – in general – come across as a bit of a twat in Time Out. That’s just personal opinion. I understand the crazies have ruined it for everyone but there was something in his tone I found, I don’t know…..dismissive??Disdainful?? I still think it was incredibly rude not to even briefly acknowledge the birthday wishes – I feel bad for the girls who did a lot of nice and unintrusive things that week (not me but I saw). Don’t flame me, it’s just my perception.

    I’m handing in my Hiddles Card and I’m reboarding the Cumberboat…

    • jammypants says:

      I’m sure if it was dismissive or disdainful, it’s not towards the whole fandom. It’s towards the extreme ones who make life really uncomfortable. I will assume he’s dialing down much Twitter activity on the whole because even if it attracts pretty cool/decent followers, there is always a crazy train as well, unfortunately.

    • 'p'enny says:

      @Ginprincess – he didn’t come across as a twat, he was right in what he said, basically telling fans – ‘sometimes’ i am not in the mood and, please fans, get some common life sense.’

      Do you think the cumberboat is better? Mr Benny-Grumpy has now turned funny and nice and Mr Tom Dancing-Smiler has gone quiet. I remember the Benedict grumpy days before Sherlock.
      Swings and roundaboats, swings and roundabout and swings and roundabouts. Next year it will be other way round, etc. Who knows.

      As for the birthday stuff – sick of reading about it. Twitters get a life – he has one. If Tom has no birthday tweets next year and wonders why, he will now know why.

      At the end of the day, what really matters is are they producing work that is worth watching?

    • Lilacflowers says:

      I think he came across as human in Time Out and he is entitled to be human. Nobody should have to tolerate being stalked or constant demands intruding on one’s personal time. As for the birthday bit, the guy was in the process of performing 8 shows a week in the lead role of a grueling Shakespeare play, battling illness, preparing to move to Canada for another job for 2-3 months, and celebrating his birthday with friends and family, many of whom he won’t see for that 2-3 months. He owned nothing to anyone on Twitter.

      • joe spider says:

        Perhaps he hasn’t responded to the birthday thingie because he doesn’t want to get inundated with “Wendy” books and other such useless stuff?

      • Gin Princess says:

        Well as I said, it’s my opinion. I didn’t say he doesn’t have the right to tell off crazies – of course he does, although I doubt they’ll listen because the ones that chased him are clearly loony tunes – but luckily most of his fans aren’t like that. I admire him from afar, but it’s sad to see him pulling away although it was bound to happen eventually.

        I do like him but It just really bothered me, the birthday thing (he didn’t have two minutes to tweet ‘thanks!’ ? Two mins? Really? That’s just plain rude) , then in his interview saying he didn’t like it when fans said he was responsible for a big change in their life when a) actually to the fan he was that change and it’s very rude to publically call those fans who have said this out – if they believe that, where’s the harm? and b) he does it like all the time himself saying certain films and actors changed his life.

        And that whole ‘in a way they don’t want to know’ – obviously no one needs to know his business but I found that very patronising.

        I love his work but this interview has put me off more than the fluffy, empty ones. I guess he can’t win. And I remember snarky pre-Sherlock Cumberbatch too. I liked that one, very genuine and what you saw was what you got….

      • joe spider says:

        Gina perhaps the bad behaviour of some of the fans towards staff, other actors and audience at the Donmar has (temporarily) soured him a little towards the more extreme of them.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Gin Princess, sorry, you do seem really upset about this. Do you even know that he is aware of these “birthday wishes?” He has said repeatedly that he has learned not to look at what people write about him on-line. Again, he is busy. I know if that I were closing out a job and preparing to move for two months, sending a tweet to people I don’t even know would be far behind finding my passport and making sure to remember to pack my underwear and having the mail delivery rerouted and making sure the person who will water the plants can get into the house. I would never presume to know how much time another person has to do something.

    • Bice says:

      He has a lot of things to do. He needs to prepare two movie characters and that requires concentration (sorry for my english, i’m learning xD)

  23. Leigh says:

    Off topic but can anyone tell me who was at last night of Coriolanus apart from Cat Deely?

    I think it’s dangerous reading too much into an interview. How often of you take a text or read an email in a way the author never intended? The way so I see it he is in a no win situation. He talks about things, it annoys people, he tries to dial things down a bit and he annoys people. It’s a tricky situation to be in and frankly I would hate it. Also there are going to be different times in his life where he wants to talk about things. For example If he’s having some bad fan situations and is in a loved up relationship he’s going to want to be low profile and only act up for cameras when promoting something. If he’s single, in a great mood, enjoying life etc he might be more open and verbal. I think that’s the way it goes for a lot of celebs. They also learn from their mistakes (I.e. Tom talking about anyone and everything on twitter)

    I surmise a lot but you get the jist.

    • ZsaZsa says:

      If what you’re saying is true, then he makes a right miserable boyfriend.
      Call me an old romantic but people are generally happy when they are in love and all they talk about how amazing it is.

      • Leigh says:

        Fair point. I still think the normal rules don’t apply when you become famous. Am sure when he finds ‘the one’ he will want to talk about it but am sure the way people reacted to Sian etc make you think twice

      • belle says:

        I happened to be on tumblr when the Wimbledon incident happened last year, and surprisingly the majority of fangirls didn’t react negatively. Of course there were a few who threw fits and started snooping around on the woman’s facebook, and then on the other side a few crazies who started planning the wedding and picking out baby names for Tom’s future children, but for the most part it was just “I’m so happy for them” type messages. If that had been a serious relationship, I do think they would have gone “public” with it.

    • Froop says:

      Looks like his makeup artist Amanda Grossman was there on the last night too. No idea about any other celeb types. Most of the Sherlock cast has been there during the last few performances.

      • Leigh says:

        Thanks Froop.

        Wait … What? His makeup artist? He has a blooming makeup artist? That’s just plain weird isn’t it?!

      • jammypants says:

        doesn’t everyone have a makeup/hair person? It’s for public appearances.

      • Froop says:

        She doesn’t work with him exclusively but she’s often with Luke and they travel together all over the place so she’s basically part of his ‘team’. I don’t think he sees her before he pops out to Waitrose LOL.

      • ZsaZsa says:

        Leigh, why do you think he’s so orange at premiers? Personally I don’t think he needs any make up when he’s not filming

      • Leigh says:

        I only think of women having makeup artists. Figured guys just use whoever is employed by the film festival or whatever.

  24. Gin Princess says:

    You have a point to be fair…

  25. Kimberly says:

    I’m not as obsessed with him as SOME of his crazy fan girls are…………. but I do fancy him a bit. He’s quite attractive.

    I like this interview he did. He seems more like himself and I like him better in these serious interviews as compared to when he doing those promotional interviews for Thor.

    • Poe says:

      I’m right there with you. I’m no fangirl. If I saw this man on the street, the likelihood of me asking for either a photo or autograph are extremely limited. Given I live in a small town in the US.

      I agree, that he is a phenomenal actor, and he is quite a attractive. I prefer to see celebrities do honest interviews like this instead of painting themselves as a “perfect” person, whether intentional or not.

      I know a lot of people get turned off when actors let cursing slip during interviews, but I actually enjoy it, especially when we they apologize or look nervous after doing so. Shows they’re humans with more exciting and higher paying jobs.

  26. Browniecakes says:

    I too wished TH happy birthday on Twitter to #HappyBirthdayTomHiddleston. It took me longer to type this post about it than to do it. Let’s not act like we gathered from great distances to hand knot a tapestry of his family tree together. The most positive of the fandom seem to just enjoy each other’s friendship and expect nothing from him.

    • Janeite says:

      “The most positive of the fandom seem to just enjoy each other’s friendship and expect nothing from him.”

      That was very well said, Browniecakes. It’s nice to be able to come here (or Tumblr, Twitter or anywhere else online that one prefers!) and enjoy the chat. All anyone has the right to expect from Tom Hiddleston is the very best performance that he can give.

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      Well summarized Browniecakes. He has stated quite clearly in recent times that his twitter presence will be more about his professional side, little to no personal side. Fans wishing to still respond to personal events in his life via his twitter account should not expect a response (but be pleasantly surprised if he does decide to chime in with the odd comment).

      There are those that will find this change hard as they really have dedicated a lot of their time to following his account and almost feeling like they are a part of his life because he let a little bit too much of himself show in his tweets. The majority of fans (as you said so nicely) are normal folks who are just happy to chat with each other and share thoughts and info with each other. Nothing malicious, just people with a common interest.

      And BTW, I don’t tweet and have never seen his or anyone else’s accounts, but through links posted on this site have learned much of the troubles he has had with fans in recent times. I’m sure he can acknowledge that the majority do the right thing by him but it only takes one bad experience to make you put your guard up. Sadly I think Thor 3 is just going to ignite the whole thing up again, but at least that is a couple of years away from release yet so he has time to prepare himself properly for the fall out/love in! 🙂

  27. pretzel says:

    Funny how the people who are so angry with him for not saying thank you for the birthday wishes are quick to mention that they didn’t tweet him bday wishes! So much investment in someone you didn’t take the time to wish. And oh the “i feel bad for those who tweeted him” feels..save the sympathy for other worthy stuff. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. Even if the fangirls didn’t pay for tickets to go to see Coriolanus, the production would have survived given the reviews it received. It would even have been better as real theater enthusiasts could have gotten to see the play in peace. As much as miss his crazy twitter days, his current twitter status is much more suited if he is to leave loki behind. As far as manipulating fans go, it’s called marketing. Welcome to the real world where everything and everyone is a brand that needs promotion in order to be sold. Just grow up. Enjoy the work that he does (or dont) without getting emotionally involved.

    • joe spider says:

      Very well said pretezel, some people hve just lost their sense of proportion.

      And regarding twitter – given that Tom pleased with people to show respect at the Donmar, and some didn’t, can we blame him for going quiet?

      And we have to remember that the Donmar can’t (afford) to provide the kind of security that Marvel can at red carpet events.

      • kaisei says:

        Goodness you make it sound like people at Donmar were under siege and lived these 3 months under constant fear 🙂

        This is what Oonagh Murphy, resident assistant director tweeted of Tom’s fans:
        “I’m going to miss the fans of the Hiddleston dearly. You’ve been a total lol.”

        https://twitter.
        com/oonaghmurphy/status/434139566661201920

      • joe spider says:

        That should say pleaded with people.

    • ZsaZsa says:

      Pretzel gets an A* today

      I admit I don’t follow Tom on Twitter anymore because he is boring but then I also don’t follow a lot of other accounts too because of the same thing.

      I suppose as he always used to tweet about everything to what he’s eaten for breakfast to moaning about the trains, I’m guessing the man ran out of things to say.

      It’s probably his PR that is managing his account now. I follow famous people and they put their initials or name after a tweet to let fans know it’s them. I could see him doing that now he’s got less time

      • kaisei says:

        No ZsaZsa, his tweets are his own, he just tweeted a few hours ago about feeling so grateful and having an amazing life.

      • jammypants says:

        The man gives 2 minute replies to simple questions. He can never run out of things to say lol

    • Gin Princess says:

      Since by ‘the people’ you mean me, Pretzel, do at least say that. And no I didn’t wish him happy birthday. And yes, LF, I will ‘presume’ to say that he has had two minutes and yes, he does read his tweets and probably gets a report from the social media monitoring his agency does. Don’t even for one second think he didn’t know about the birthday wishes…

      I cant tell you why this one thing really bothered me, but it did. I am a fan, but it bothered me.

      However, how can you tell me it’s ok to say things about hating it when fans credit him with changing his life when that fan has poured their heart out to him? When it’s very real to that fan? That’s just crass.

      But since apparently on this site you’re not allowed to have a personal opinion or criticize the man himself in any way, there’s no point in saying another word, is there?

      • ZsaZsa says:

        It makes me feel uneasy that i feel he is acting on what is being said on here. I still find the tweet too much of coincidence that we were talking about his twitter.

        @Gin you make some valid points that I agree on but you also make some points I don’t agree on.

      • jammypants says:

        Gin Princess, everyone has an opinion. It’s just that there are people who have a different opinion to you. In no way, at least skimming through the comments, do I see that as disallowing differing opinions to be shared, meaning yours.

        You don’t like his Twitter activities. By all means, air out your grievances. To me, however, he consciously chose not to reply. That’s his decision. It’s also his twitter and the guy is allowed to use it however he likes, like the rest of us no? :p I get messages from my best friends that I don’t even reply to. I send them things they look at but don’t reply to. I guess I am rude (or just tired or lazy), but so be it. The world goes on. I think it’s not necessarily two minutes of sparing to reply that should bother people honestly. It’s mental energy and thinking of everything that replying can imply or open doors to. Since it seems he shut it a little (perhaps to take a break, who knows?), then it makes sense he will choose to have his birthday privately.

        In any case, Gin Princess, despite my different opinion, I actually don’t mind yours at all.

        But yea I wouldn’t get upset over people responding to your thoughts. They’re allowed it too no? 🙂

        And if this doesn’t ease your concern, I thought this blog made a very good point http://hxcfairy.tumblr.com/post/76835191993

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        Well Gin Princess, I don’t think anyone has devalued your opinion which you are fully entitled to have, but there is a difference between offering a different opinion and wishing someone failure, injury or death as part of it because they didn’t meet YOUR expectation. Not cool.

        And Tom is right to not take credit for changing the life of someone he hasn’t met. That is a classic sign of obsession. I’m not saying everyone who believes he has improved their lives is obsessed, but some out there are and it can get dangerous very quickly if they are allowed to continue feeling he is connected to them somehow.

        His twitter is for professional comments now, so his birthday messages may have been appreciated but not responded to to prevent further expectation he will keep commenting on personal matters.

        @Jammypants – that blog quote was very good actually, right up until the last line! It sounded a bit self-appreciating to say nothing else needed to be said (no other opinions allowed?!!). Otherwise it summed up everything beautifully.

      • jammypants says:

        honestly if he took credit for someone’s life changing, I’d think he’s full of himself lol

        @squirrel, I think the last line in that blog was actually a different user responding to the original post. So the original post left room for interpretation, which is lovely 🙂

      • neverland says:

        @Gin Princess,
        (sorry, previous non commenter but dedicated lurker of cb chiming in here!)

        I think this tweet (found in a very quick google search and I’m sure there are other examples you could find either in tweets or fan accounts of premieres they’ve attended and so on) sums up what (I think) he was referring to in that answer:
        @kaylamarielent You saved yourself, Kayla. Who you think I am is who you are. We’re all flawed heroes. Responsibility is power. (https://twitter.com/twhiddleston/status/154493181629693952)

        There are absolutely fans of any celebrity who depend upon them to an unhealthy extent rather than get inspired by them, and frankly I feel it would be irresponsible of him to not turn ‘responsibility for things which have happened in their lives’ onto the fan rather than himself (aka ‘talking them off the ledge’).

        That’s how I read it, anyway! I was surprised at the reaction from some people because imo there is nothing ‘crass’ or ‘calling out’ about feeling uncomfortable when an unrealistic burden of responsibility is placed on you, and then acting to provide people with a sense of their own agency in how their life progresses. The wording in the interview was awkward because it was depersonalised from conversations like that twitter reply, I suppose.

        (also: https://twitter.com/twhiddleston/status/194749844605243392 . I think it’s safe to say his popularity shooting up – I think he had like 100,000 followers on twitter mid-2012 and 1 million by the end of 2013 -has an understandable impact on how he acts both in public online forums and when interacting with fans – and it’s not just his fans, he doesn’t really interact as much with friends or peers on twitter either. It seems like an all-round attempt to get some privacy, not a carefully planned shunning of ‘crazy fangirls’)

        Of course everyone on here is entitled to their own opinions, reactions, and feelings so you are welcome to ignore this! 🙂

      • Gin Princess says:

        Erm, excuse me?! When did I wish someone failure, injury or death for disagreeing with me exactly?!?!??

      • belle says:

        Before this gets out of hand over a misunderstanding, it was “Ginger-rose” who was making death wishes, not Gin Princess, and her post has since been deleted.

      • jammypants says:

        woah that’s a bit much

      • Gin Princess says:

        Thank you Belle, I am most certainly not in the business of issuing threats, just unpopular opinions!

        Look, I get all of your points. I do. I see that something had to be done about people crossing the line, because people were/are being downright silly. I can’t abide those people. I just didn’t like the tone of the interview. That’s all.

      • jammypants says:

        that’s cool Gin Princess 🙂

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @gin princess, I said that I would never presume about the time another person has; clearly you would and clearly, you also have access to the man’s personal schedule, which I do not. Sorry.

  28. pretzel says:

    Thanks Kaisei..that does sound like the old twitter Tom.. Only thing missing is a song of the day :p

  29. Gin Princess says:

    Actually I’m really quite hurt that I just got accused of saying something that awful when it was Ginger Rose. That’s not fair at all.

    Bye x

    • ZsaZsa says:

      @Gin Princess nobody got you and Ginger Rose mixed up.

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      Only able to respond now due to time differences.

      @Gin Princess – I’m mortified at my error. My comment was most definitely meant for Ginger Rose, not you. When her offensive post was deleted I just remembered it was a name that started with G.I.N and then mistakenly assumed it was you. Most definitely did not intend to offend or hurt you. Hope you are forgiving type otherwise Ginger Rose wins in starting trouble on this thread (her intention I believe). In the past I have defended other posters who have had different opinions so this is very much a genuine mistake. Apologies.

      @Jammypants – As you can see by the above, I was right off my game today so little wonder I misinterpreted the blog as well. Going to go back to school and learn that 2 + 2 does not equal 5!!

    • joe spider says:

      I didn’t think it was you, you still have one friend!!

      Ginger Rose did go a bit OTT didn’t she.

      But I would mention, as with Tim Walker in the DT misquoting Tom on the subject of politics for his own purpose, journalists sometimes, shall we say, adjust what a person has said?

      BTW the Sunday Telegraph had another article about referring to public school actors yesterday!

      • jammypants says:

        Wow, the Telegraph is a bit obsessed aren’t they?

        What did I miss about death threats?

      • ZsaZsa says:

        Does it really matter where they went to school? Going to Eton doesn’t make you posh or Conservative party member let’s just put that rumour to rest.
        Daily Telegraph like a good moan like the Daily Fail. It’s what they do

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        @Jammypants – In a nutshell (and happy to be corrected if I am wrong AGAIN!), Ginger Rose said she was over Tom and that she would have been happy to see him fall out of the helicopter (Jag ad). It was all just as a stir I’m sure, but wishing someone harm simply because they weren’t meeting the personal expectation of a stranger was a bit much.

      • jammypants says:

        lawd, dramatic much? lmao

  30. Gin Princess says:

    Oh OK. No harm done. For my part I’ll try not to get so bothered by the things he says/tweets, and indeed, doesn’t say/tweet.

    Gin cocktails all around x

  31. ZsaZsa says:

    Looks like puddletom has got over his no selfie phase. A fan got a photo with him at Toronto airport on Sunday. The poor girl also got a load of abuse.
    Can we remind people that he consented to this photo.

    It also makes his Sunday run tweet look odd now

    • belle says:

      Odd because of the timing? Seems like he just went for a run right before he headed for the airport. The pictures from Toronto didn’t show up until last night, so I think it all works out.

    • joe spider says:

      Actually his words were:

      but SOMETIMES you just don’t want to have to stop and take a selfie.

    • 'p'enny says:

      Tumblr’s fans has gone nuts at that girl for asking for that selfie. I feel really sorry for her, because the raging has gone to far. What is it with some fans acting like Tom’s mother! By all accounts she went to the airport to deliberately take a chance that he was on plane, coming for London. Wasn’t rocket science he was flying out Sunday, he wouldn’t have missed the BAFTA’s without good reason. Stalkery, I agree. But, still, some of the nasty pouncing on her was awful. The fans need to chill out.

      • ZsaZsa says:

        The girl didn’t say that she was at the airport to meet him, she just uploaded a photo on tumblr.

        But I have to agree that a 33 year old man can defend himself. Does he really want these so called ‘defenders’ bullying her or others that he comes into contact with.
        In a way that’s worse than what is being done to him. I don’t think he’d want bullying in his name happen at all.

  32. joe spider says:

    Jammypants – you wouldn’t believe it but the DT had ANOTHER article yesterday:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/baftas/10643942/Top-British-actors-who-went-to-expensive-schools.html

    • ZsaZsa says:

      I was looking for Daniel Radcliffe, Woman in Black, Hogwarts school of wizard craft and Witchery. Darn!

    • jammypants says:

      That’s just sad. These people are not the problem with the class system in the UK. They had the means to go to good schools. Who wouldn’t put their kids in good schools if they had the resources? The DT surely loses sight of things out of spite and jealousy.

      • Janeite says:

        Good point, jammypants. I’m not sure what the point of that article was. Actually it was more of a list than an article! There is not a person on the planet who would not want the best educational opportunities for their children that they could afford. And it’s not as if the kids had any control over it anyway.

  33. ItSetsYou says:

    @joe spider “Funnily enough there was an interview with Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) last year, and he said he didn’t mind so much when people ask if they can take a photo but when he is just sitting there having a quiet drink “everyone has f***ing camera phone” and they take pictures without asking.”

    – Oh, I met Dan Stevens at some clothing store in Los Angeles and I asked if he would be ok to take a picture. Or not 🙂 He said “Oh, maybe, not today…” but I thanked him anyway. He seemed to feel a little bad at that moment because he reached out and extended a hand. So we shook hands and I left. He was thin, scruffy and very sexy 🙂