Benedict Cumberbatch Rejects Celebrity Label

Benedict Cumberbatch recently expressed his distaste for the term "celebrity," calling it both disparaging and ambiguous. He clarified that, in spite of their disparate routes to fame, it unjustly lumps all well-known people together. In an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch talked candidly about his public persona, especially after becoming an icon due to his role in Sherlock.

He made it clear that he doesn't consider himself to be a classic movie star like Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt. He joked that he's more focused on the typical concerns of ageing, admitting that it seemed weird and self-centred to try to understand why people found him attractive after reflecting on his unexpected popularity.

Cumberbatch also questioned the foundation for such recognition and challenged the idea of celebrity. He emphasized that the term does not differentiate between celebrities for unrelated activities like selling cheese, making appearances on reality TV, producing viral moments, and recognition for accomplishments like acting.

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In other developments, Cumberbatch attended the Letters Live benefit for the KOKO Foundation in London last November. In addition to Cumberbatch, the event's star-studded lineup included readings by Cate Blanchett, FKA Twigs, Idris Elba, Taika Waititi, and Marisa Abela. The audience was also treated to musical performances by Wyclef Jean, Celeste, and The Cavemen, which culminated in a group encore with Jean.

The famous London venue's charity arm, the KOKO Foundation, had designated Cumberbatch a global ambassador for environmental awareness a month prior. Additionally, it was revealed that FKA Twigs would be the main act at the foundation's themed event, ‘A Night in the Theatre.’

–Farheen Ali