This is an ABC podcast.

Have you ever wanted to be famous?

Depending on your personality, the answer might be a hard no, no way.

But it might be a yes, even if you're embarrassed to admit it.

And why not?

Fame seems to offer huge benefits.

Wealth, access, validation, adoration.

But we also know being a celebrity comes at a huge cost and the experience can be incredibly

isolating.

You can get into this head space where if everything feels like a fantasy and then nothing

is reality anymore and that's where things get dangerous.

So today, we examine how Fane can affect a person's psychology and what happens when the brain

you've lived with your whole life suddenly gets the spotlight.

When you're famous, it does feel like you're at the center of the world,

and all of the various problems or issues kind of revolve around you.

And you generally have a lot of people treating you as if that's true also.

Recognize that voice. It's musician Ben Lee.

This is All In The Mind. I'm Sonica Adar, and this

week's episode comes to you from producer Jennifer Leak.

I really, very clearly remember when I was eight years old I said to my mum I want to be on television

and then after that at every birthday wish I wished that I wanted to be famous

Natalie Gauchy won season five of Australian Idol. That was in 2007.

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