WHY I’M AFRAID OF FAME

Not long ago, I watched a video which took me back to an old story that still wakes something in me every time I think about it. It was about a man called Elijah who had just pulled off something extraordinary, something history would never forget. But instead of celebrating, he broke down. He felt completely alone, convinced the entire mission depended only on him.

Then he was reminded that there were 7,000 others who had quietly remained faithful. He was never as alone or as important as he thought. I always laugh anytime I read that part. That story has become a mirror for me.

Fame is very tricky. It will whisper lies that you’re the only one who matters… without you, nothing moves… this whole stage is about you. And before long, if you’re not careful, you start to believe it.

I know this because I’ve wrestled with it myself.

When I was on Nigerian Idol, it felt like my big moment. People who never knew me suddenly knew my name. Friends from the past reached out. Strangers had opinions about me. For the first time, I tasted what it felt like to be in the spotlight. And if I’m being honest, I loved it. I loved the validation, the feeling that maybe I was finally “somebody.”

But in barely 15 hours, it ended. I didn’t win. I was evicted. I didn’t even make it to the very top. And that’s when the flip side of fame hit me. The same people who were screaming your name move on quickly. The same spotlight that made you feel important suddenly gets turned off. I remember scrolling through social media, watching clips of others who went further, and wondering if I had failed. Was I not good enough? Did my voice not matter anymore?

That moment humbled me deeply. It showed me how fragile fame is. One minute you’re trending, the next minute you’re forgotten. If you tie your worth to it, you’ll keep chasing shadows.

So, when I say I’m afraid of fame, it’s not that I don’t want success or visibility. It’s that I know how dangerous it can be if I let it define me. Fame is temporary and it can blind us, it can distract u, and it can destroy us if we let it.

That story of the 7,000 means so much to me. Honestly, I don’t have to be the only one. I don’t need the spotlight to matter and I wish that fellow creative like myself would realise that being hidden is not the same as being insignificant. For me, I’ve long understood that my real calling is not to be famous, but to faithful live my part in this life and make it count and I have since made the choice that I’d rather build meaning than chase virality. I’d rather hold on to purpose than bow to the pressure of clout. 

Dear reader, fame will fade. When the noise dies down (and it always does) I want my life to still count where it really matters, not just in the timelines of men, but in the story, God is writing.

I want you to take inspiration from this story. If you’re an artist, a creative, or anyone building something, you’ll feel that same pull. A strong temptation to measure your worth by numbers, applause, or how loudly your name is called. But don’t let fame trick you. Don’t settle for being popular when you’re called to be purposeful. Choose faithfulness. In the long run, that’s what will matter.