Benedict Cumberbatch hates being called a celebrity: “It’s so derogatory”

Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed he hates being called a celebrity.

The actor admitted recently that he finds the term “derogatory” and often quite nebulous, as it “lumps anyone famous together” even when they’re known or have become known in totally different ways.

The topic came up during an interview with Variety, when Cumberbatch was discussing his public perception, especially when Sherlock made him into a sex symbol.

“I’m not Brad, I’m not Leonardo, I’m not a typical movie star,” he said. “People were scrambling for ‘Why is he at all attractive to us?’ But for me to guess and try to understand that is so fucking weirdly navel-gazing. I’m not sitting around thinking, ‘Why am I sexy?’ I worry about myself in the mirror as I age, like every other fucker does.”

He then moved onto the topic of celebrity. “It’s so derogatory, and just lumps anyone famous together,” he explained. “Am I a ‘celebrated’ person? Well, for what? For selling cheese? For being on a reality show? For doing something outrageous? For being an actor?”

In other news, Cumberbatch made an appearance alongside a host of names raving with Wyclef Jean in London in November.

The entertainment stars were present at KOKO Foundation’s Letters Live fundraiser – an event that saw Cumberbatch, Blanchett, FKA Twigs, Elba, Minnie Driver, Gadd, Ahmed, Waititi, Marisa Abela and Damian Lewis read letters to those in attendance, while Celeste, The Cavemen and Wyclef Jean put on musical performances. The show culminated in an encore with the majority of these guests on stage with Jean.

The month before, Cumberbatch was announced as the newest global ambassador for environmental advocacy as part of the KOKO Foundation – the registered charity of London’s iconic venue of the same name. At the time, Twigs was also announced as the ‘A Night In The Theatre’-themed event’s first performer.

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