Humanity, Compassion, Communication

Hey all!

I recently received some feedback from a few of my fans regarding the way everything went down at the A Cappella Innovations weekend in Albany.

I want to start off by offering my most sincere apologies for any confusion in how the weekend went off and was handled. Believe it or not, I still feel very new at this whole “celebrity” thing and have been trying really hard to figure out a way to stay as open as I can with my fans, while still maintaining my safety and privacy in some way.

That is actually a big part of how this site was born in the first place. Humanity and compassion are two of the most important things in my life and I always want to make sure that I represent that in everything I do.

That being said, I am still new at this, and being a public figure is a bit more dangerous than I expected. Consequently going to a public event needs to be approached in a specific way; a way that is totally foreign to me.

The weekend felt like a bit of a whirlwind, considering I arrived on the red eye and went straight to the festival. There was no real time to sleep and a few of the college students were a bit more aggressive than I was prepared to experience. It was because of these reasons that I was a little caught off-guard, and not really representing myself the way that I would have liked in the best of situations. I chose, out of fear and innocence, to hang backstage and keep myself a little more removed than I would have liked to have been.

I feel as those the effect of this may have been some hurt feelings, mis-communications, and disappointments. I would like to be the first to say I am sorry for any of those three things and also to request your patience in my attempt to figure out a humane and kind approach to this whole “famous” life style.

Thanks again for being so supportive and understanding.

Ciao
Xo
Allison

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  • amanda_t1979

    allison…as a fan, i feel the need to apologize that this situation ever happened. i feel to apologize that you felt your safety and well being threatened. i am ashamed that “fans” forget that you are first and foremost a human being, who deserves privacy and respect and has every right to disappear for a while when it all gets to overwhelming. i’m sure we all have had those moments, and have chosen to just find a quiet, dark corner rather than face the crowds. i think you are a lovely person, and the fact that you are apologizing just testifies to your lovliness. however, you have just as much right to privacy as everyone else and don’t ever apologize for that. as for myself, well of course i hope to meet you one day, but i picture it as two people waiting in line at starbucks, or for an elevator. i never want to be a screaming, insane fan making you feel threatened. just two human beings who have “sorta” met over the internet and are finally saying hello in person. take care! and know that your fans love you.

  • Neil

    It’s a shame that people don’t know how to behave around “famous” people. I have to apologize for them … simply because we don’t get a chance to see the people we admire as much as we’d all like to anyway. And I want you to know that we all appreciate the person you really are!! Don’t change who you are to accomodate the “enthralled, excited fans”, just be a little more careful! We all want you to be around for a long time to come! Stay sweet!

    Neil

  • http://lgschuh@gmail.com Robert Schuh

    Dear Allison I’m sure things look scary to you sometimes but keep pushing forward and I’m glad you learn from your mistakes. I hope you can get the privacy you want from being a celebrity and still talk or stay on the blog for your fans. Not many celebrities stay in touch with their fans as much as you do. You shine as a bright light in the show Smalleville I’m sure you will accomplish just as much as a producer or director. I also know if you want other roles you will shine and do great as an actress in any other role I hope your contract will remain with Smallville I sure wouldn’t let someone as precious and talented as you. keep up the great work with staying in touch with fans also. God Bless you

  • http://xanga.com/kasealaine Kasey

    Hey, you know what? You’re a person too! And although I think that it’s totally awesome that you apologized for it, there is really no need. You have the right to be tired or have bad days or even be downright cranky if you want to be! I know, I know, easier to say than to actually do.
    Anyway, take some time, chill out and breathe every once in a while. :)

  • http://lgschuh@gmail.com Robert Schuh

    Dear Allison I’m sure things look scary to you sometimes but keep pushing forward and I’m glad you learn from your mistakes. I hope you can get the privacy you want from being such a celebrity and still talk or stay on the blog for your fans to stay in touch. Not many celebrities stay in touch with their fans as much as you do. You shine as a bright light in the show Smallville I’m sure you will accomplish just as much as a producer and director while still being able to play roles in Smallville. I also know you would shine and do great as an actress in any other role. I hope your contract will remain with Smallville. I sure wouldn’t let someone as precious and talented as you get away. Keep up the good work staying in touch with fans also. God Bless you

  • http://somethinglikearapper.wordpress.com/ Jimmy Valentime

    I want to say this because I am a fan and I dig your work.

    I even linked your blog to my blog…….

    Most of your fans feel like they know you. I have a tv background and lot of industry training ….

    So I know there is

    1) The Character you play (for most people you are Chloe Sullivan and they don’t under stand that, Alison is who you are and Chloe is what you get paid to do)

    2) The public persona you have in your online videos and writing.

    3) Who ever you are when you’re interacting with your friend, family and co workers, that the public does not get to see.

    But for the most part most people are not that industry savvy or even think that deeply about the difference …

    An as long as you decide to work in public …

    People are going to act more personal towards you, then what you might feel comfortable being because they feel they have that initially contact with you through media.

    Unless you feel like your safety is threatened,

    Give people the benefit of the doubt.

    Even at times, when somebody is overly excited or is socially inept who might be trying to interact wit you.

    Most people are good and do not mean to harm you or make you feel uncomfortable. Most are not aware that they are making you feel unsafe or tense ….

    Your work as an artist means a lot to people and you have to take the good with the bad.

  • Maninho

    Hi Allison!

    I just wanted to say that you are a great actress, you really are, I mean it. Oh, and, just another thing I wanted to ask: Do you like that nerd’s stuff like computer, internet, hacking, etc… like Chloe or you don’t have that in common with the character? I’m asking it just because I’m really impressed with the way you play the character in those situations, and I’m graduating in Computer Science and all and I kinda like that stuff.
    And please, excuse me for my poor English ok, I’m Brazilian :)

    C ya, and say ‘Hello’ to Tom for me OK?

    Hugs.

  • Vegas911

    Allison,
    I just wanted to take the time to thank you so much for addressing this issue. It speaks volums to me about your character as an entertainer and also as a human being. I know that you did your best, and that the fame thing is likley very difficult..your doing a wonderful job, so keep your head up!

  • http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/s/Rebecca%20Schaeffer/rebecca_schaeffer.htm Bruce Wayne

    http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/s/Rebecca%20Schaeffer/rebecca_schaeffer.htm

    YA; I know; I’m beating a dead horse.

    Guess you’re not going to approve this one either.

    I’m not trying to frighten you, just attempting to impress on you the seriousness of your position as a celeb.

    and the world IS full of wakkos.

    BW

  • Medina

    don´t worry

    so..braniac was here in Brazil , ahan?! after atack lana, ahan…

    huummm…

  • Phil Damico

    Hey even the good book says you cant please everybody! So dont try. Dont spread yourself to thin also. Your true fans understand and will continue to understand and support you. Plus, people need to remember, ecspecially those that have never flown on a red eye flight, that to do that and then go staight to an event is very tiring. Allison, your a person first, famous second. The fact that you even showed up speaks volumes about you. Take care of yourself, and dont let the price of celebrity get in your way of anything, your doing and will continue to do great things in the world. Take care!

  • JAVIKER (from Spain)

    Uf!, Allison .. in Spain is surely would have joined thousands of people for an act well, you could not be near us here hahaha!.
    is assessed that after all this fame be able to bring the people you admire and famous people who normally prefer to believe that it is a god to which he is not talking yet you are as close as possible.
    Do not forget your spanish fans that adore to you!
    Te adoramos!

  • kapang

    hi allison, i’m u’r new fan ^_^ ( acctually my english is bad T_T)
    my name’s dedy from indonesia (if u don’t know indonesia, u must know Bali, Indonesia) hmmm i think being public figure isn’t easy. just be u’r self, enjoy n do the best, ooo one more thing be honest to u’r self that’s the most important!
    (in indonesia language) sebenarnya saya baru tahu allison di indonesia karena ditayangkan di televisi pada acara smallville, wah seru banget, dan saya langsung “jatuh cinta” ama sosok yang diperankan Chloe = manis, imut, n smart ^_^
    that’s all
    thanx before

  • Margroks

    I think you must take care of yourself first and foremost. There are crazies out there and you must be wary. I think you reach out to your fans far more than many celebrities and I admire you for your candor and thoughtfulness. Ignore the crazies!

  • Ashleigh

    Hey, i’m not realy sure how this whole thing works, i just kinda stumbled on this site and decided to have a little look around, and i have to say, i’m impressed! i’m not sure if you will ever read this but incase you do….. i realy like the way you make ur self so open and ‘real’ compared to other ‘celebz’ if you know what i mean. And just to go off on a random little tangent, it’s nice to see somebody (like you) who is recognisable for their talent and know what you actualy do for a living (unlike the paris’s of the world)lol i’v read through some of the blogs you have written and i know you will have hundreds of fans saying this all of the time to you, but, for the first time in ages it’s like i have seen something that i can actually relate to. You are putting all of ur thoughts and feelings out there for the world to see and you must feel so good afterwards, almost like a release?! i have been going through quite a lot of the emotions you have described and it is so encouraging to read your thoughts and, in a way, feel like someone has stolen them from my brain (i know that sounds kinda strange)lol i have recently decided to take control of my life and live every moment to the full, hopefully dying with no regrets. i just kinda woke up one day and decided that i was tired of just ‘going through the motions’ and that i realy did want to make the most of life. Any way…. i’ll stop mumbling on and leave you to it cuz i’m sure you are realy busy and stuff, that’s if you read this lol. hope things go well for you x

  • http://www.flogao.com.br/milkanedyane Milka from Brazil

    Hi allison,

    Well I’m sure if you come to Brazil some day, You’ll be very welcome, specially here in Bahia, my state which is situated in northeast of Brazil.
    People from here don’t care about fame, we admire nice people like you!

    I apriciate the fact you want to be close of your fans, the most of famous people don’t do that!
    Please, keep being you, exactly the way you are!
    beijos
    Milka

  • soupey

    Hi there Allison!

    Wanted to be in NY, but couldn’t make it. I’m sorry that the experience was overwhewlming, and I hope that it doesn’t discourage you from continuing to make appearances at such events. As for getting used to fame, I wish you the best of luck because, unfortunately, a lot of people think that celebrities aren’t supposed to have any privacy or personal space. I think the best approach is to be ultra conservative at first and then adjust to the mood of the crowd. I think that you are a very talented actress and a delightful person overall. I appreciate all the time and energy you put into keeping in touch with your fans via this website, and I enjoy the openess you extend to us in your posts and blogs.

    See you in June at the Metropolis Superman Celebration!

  • Beth James

    I’ll go ahead and be the 50 something-eth person to tell you how nice it was of you to apologize and how you are doing an amazing job of keeping up with this blog and sharing some you with the rest of us.

    But, other than that…

    How are you?

  • bourdieu

    My goodness, reading around the internet and the rarb.org website, it sounds like A Cappella Innovations has turned into a real minefield. Or rather, turned into a dense mess of things unsaid, competing agendas and expectations, and personalities and groups pursuing banal – but real – forms of power. People react badly in those situations.

    As for NXIVM, oh no! Run away! Anything like this – a dominant central figure, promises of exclusive and excluding forms of knowledge, the demand of commitment to those things – is a free-form structure of domination, a power structure in the raw. It will hurt, no matter what.

  • Dário Felix

    Olá Allison meu nome é Dário Sou muito fã seu, adoro demais seu trabalho te amoooooo! lembre-se que tudo se passa.

    Hello my name is Allison Dário I am very much your fan, I love your other work I love you! remember that everything is happening.

  • wise

    Olá Allison meu nome é Dário sou novo no site, sou brasileiro e super fá seu tem amo.

  • http://www.myspace.com/supereo superman_l79

    Sorry you had such a rough time. I understand those days that you are just rushing through everything with no time to yourself and when you do have to be around people you just don’t have the capacity. Well, I just wanted to drop by and say hello. I just signed on to your site and look forward to keeping up on your latest projects, especially Smallville. I love that show and you are one of my favorites. In fact, I’m hoping to make it to the Metropolis Superman Celebration this year and I am excited that you are attending. I hope to see you there. Take care, and keep the video blogs coming. I loved your last one. See you on Thursday night on the CW.

  • http://www.angelfire.com/sc3/harv/ David Harvey

    Allison,

    I got the chance to talk with you for a little while at the a cappella festival back in December, although back then the show was in the smaller Swyer theater, and was not as crowded as the Hart theater. Things seemed much more relaxed back in December.

    The festival this April seemed much more stressed. I actually got stuck at LaGuardia airport flying up to Albany for better than 6 hours that Friday. I may only be 28 years old, but that still takes a toll on a person!! :p I did make it to the Friday night program, but only for the last 15 minutes.

    Anyhow, I hung out after the show Saturday night to chat with Mike Baker. I did see you come out from backstage, you were asking (Claire I think, I am not sure now), about going to the after party up in Troy. I started to say hello to you, but you looked really stressed out, so I thought it smart to not bother you. I did see a couple of folks come up to speak to you that evening, and to your credit, you were polite – but you did not seem as at ease as you were back in December.

    I guess it is a real challenge to just go out and hang out with folks when you are such a public figure. I pray that you will be able to get things sorted out, and hopefully future outtings will be less stressful for you.

    Kind Regards.
    David Harvey
    Morrisville, NC

  • http://maisy Miguel Angel

    rock,n,roll

  • Jerry C.

    It is a shame that some people can’t respect your space Allison. I know that you are a star but you still have a right not to be harassed by “thugs”.
    That being said if I met you face to face I might be a little excited myself. I think that you are a wonderful actor, I hope to see you on the new season of Smallville.

  • http://www.myspace.com/porom86 Jenna

    Hey Allison,
    I think you are awesome and I think its great how you respond to your fans. It was cool of you apologizing even though it really wasn’t needed because you have a life of your own separate from you being famous and you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I think its really neat how you want to be close to all your fans and I enjoy watching you on Smallville and on your blogs you are a very talented actress! Have a wonderful day!

  • Alyssa

    Allison,

    Don’t you ever think for a moment that you have let any of us down. It must be so difficult to live the life you lead, and not for one second do any of us think that life is easy. You are kind, you are wonderful, you are compassionate, and you are true. Sometimes, things are scarier then any of us would have foreseen, and you were simply acting upon “instinct” if you will. Don’t feel guilty, and don’t feel upset. Keep your head up- Try not to let others get to you (as hard as that sometimes is), and just continue being you.

    We all love you!

    Peace, Light, and Love,
    Alyssa

  • Rebecca

    Can I just say how cool and down to earth you are for addressing this issue?

    As a fan, sometimes, I wish I could run up to someone that I admire and get up in their faces to get all my questions answered and talk to them, but I always keep it in the forefront of my mind that folks like you are just like me and don’t need stalkers :)

    I’m sure that kind of encounter can be awkward to figure out how to handle, but I think the best thing to do (of course, I’ve never been in the situation, myself, but have made observations) is to embrace those fans, even if it can be overwhelming. You don’t have to give in to weird requests or something that makes you feel uncomfortable, but the “celebrities” or “famous people” that seem to handle those kinds of things in the best ways are the ones who seem to be open to it.

    I appreciate your honesty (even if I wasn’t involved) and hope you figure out a good way for you to handle your “celebrity” that benefits YOU and fans.

  • Jo

    Hello Allison! When I read your post I felt very sad and a bit upset. I totally respect you for doing that and trying to smooth things out for anyone with hurt feelings, but at the same time you should never have been put into a position to be made to feel like you needed to make an apology. Being a celebrity doesn’t give anyone the right to be aggressive towards you. I understand that by being a celebrity you have in some way agreed to have some of your life out in the open and that privacy is a hard thing to obtain, but I would think it odd if you didn’t protect your own well being. I don’t think anyone should be going to events where there are celebrities and think they are entitled to meet them. We’re fans, that’s it. We’re not family or close friends. As fans, we should be supportive and enjoy your work, and if we did ever get a chance to meet you, then great, but if not, fans shouldn’t take it personally. I’d be happy just to attend and event that you were at and sit in the back row for crying out loud, but being Canadian and living in a small town, that’ll never happen. I have a close family friend with a very famous A List celebrity cousin and not once have I even mentioned meeting her, and I probably could very easily, but I respect her and know that when she comes home it’s for an escape from the holleywood life and she doesn’t need me hanging around all wide eyed and star struck. LOL. You can never make everyone happy, someone is always upset about something. Sad, but true. You do an AMAZING thing with your website, something very very few “celebrities” do and I think you’re incredible for doing it. You give way more of yourself to your fans than most people and I think most of your fans respect you for that so don’t let the few that feel the need to complain bother you. You have nothing to apologize for, you did what any human being would do in the same situation. Keep being the amazing person you are and doing the GREAT things you do. And if you’re ever in eastern Ontario let me know!! LOL JK

  • Shruthi

    Hey Allison!
    I just wanted to say that I agree with your belief about humanity and compassion being paramount, in fact I hope its something a lot of people consider practicing and exercising along with humility. The fact that you’ve openly apologized only goes to show how important these virtues are to you. And honestly I think people, and especially your fans, do understand your position. We all know how you love to interact with us and we love you all the more for it! So being caught off guard and having to face interesting characters and having to take some time off to be by yourself just so you could re-align your thoughts and yourself to handle the situation doesn’t mean we’re going to love you any less! So you just keep doing your thing and just know we’ll always be there to back you up 100% and in due course of time trust me you’ll be handling this stuff and more like a pro! Keep rocking!!

    Cheers,
    SJ

  • Christine

    I wasn’t at the event, and I think for the most part everyone else here has said it all, but I have to say, even being a regular non-celebrity person, you can come across weird, aggressive, sometimes unstable and erratic people in everyday life. I know I have. I could only imagine how much worse that would be if you were a recognizable person to them.

    Of course there are some people who may be the biggest fan that would probably never even say more than a hi because they are too shy anyway, but there may be also people who can be totally obnoxious and will act in a unpredictable way. Hopefully, there are more fans that lean more towards the former!

  • Steven

    Hi i know this is not a spot to be leaving this but i have to know allison will you be returning to smallville for season eight because the show wont be the same without you or if anyone else knows please let me know – as_if_i_forgot@hotmail.com it would be really appreciated thanks

  • Mario

    Allison,
    You’re very very beautifull!!!
    Kisses of the Brazilian who admires you very!
    Mario Magalhaes

  • http://www.spyder-webdesign.com Brian

    A,

    No need for apologies. People can forget that you’re just like anyone else, and tend to lose their heads. Protecting yourself is no reason for an apology. Do what you do , be yourself, and keep yourself safe.

    B

  • http://- Zaib

    i want to thank you dear… to be honest, your smile makes my day! :) and thts why i owe you my happy moments :) thank you again!

  • http://astabaaburrio.blogspot.com/ weo_

    hi!
    first of all i would like say that youre beautyful and very talented ( …and i really mean it specially in the beautyfull part XD, is not that thing of a tipical fan that finds his “favorite actress blog” or something like that :) …
    is really cool that you in some apologyse and kind of fell sorry for what happened in that… festival right?, or not X(… there where some parts that i didn’t understad ’cause im from a very far away country called chile and we sppeak spanish…(and thats probably why my english righting suck..ajajajj)…well , i tink that you have a great confidence in fans , and you really like them , cause you were so concerned of( or with?)them to apologise….m…what to say now ?…lalala…XD…ñe…em…yeah….oh right, like i dont know mush and i just find out your blog , i would like to know if there is some fan club or something that i can join by internet , but thats something that the guys that post you will have to answer me…
    this post is turning boring so .. bye :)

  • Priscilla

    Dear Allison,
    I’m sure you are reading this message and I just want you to know
    that I admire so much your job on Smallville… I LOVE you!
    There are rumors that you are going to leave the serie and won’t be on the season 8. Is that true? I hope it’s not, ’cause you are one of the reasons to me for watch Smallville ;)
    If you could say anything about it in your next post I’ll be very happy!
    I am a big fan!
    I really love ya
    Kisses,
    Pri x)

    PS: Sorry any grammar mistake, I am brazilian and I’m still learning English :P

  • Evan D.

    You know you shouldn’t be to hard on yourself. Everything is a learning experience. So you had a bit of badness. Your fans, friends, and family will be proud and and stand strong when you can’t be. Cheer up and be proud that no matter what you still inspire us all.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertecouto/ Alberte

    You are a fantastic actress, the truth is that we enjoy much your interpretation in smallville, I hope that we could see you in some film soon.

    Have you been at some time in Spain?

    I invite you to that you know my photographies.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertecouto/

    An affectionate greeting and I wait to pass in more occasions for your enterteining blog.

  • Michael

    Allison, I know I am a little behind here, being that this was weeks ago, but I am a fan of good acting, and you have been great since the first time I saw your show. (I actually started watching the show because of it’s name. Let’s just say one of the main characters would be a “fictional” cousin of mine, and mine is not a common last name, and then got hooked because it really is a good show). I really think it’s a shame that you are feeling that you have to apologize for something that you yourself had nothing to do with. I wasn’t at the event, but from what I can tell from reading everything, you got some bad vibes from some overly aggressive college students. One thing about Albany is you will see some of that, unfortunately. Please don’t let that one event sour you to what the people in this area are really like. I am not defending the people who did this, but do want to say that a good portion of these students aren’t even from Albany (it has several good size schools and a major State University right here, so there are a lot of students from out of town). If you were to somehow be able to see this area (without being recognized, lol), you would see there are lots of decent people around. We just had a huge festival in Washington Park (a few blocks away from the Empire State Plaza, where your event was), and that went off without really a hitch with tens of thousands of people and lots of celebrity people around. Please, you did nothing wrong, and shouldn’t blame yourself for this. I am just embarrassed that you might judge the rest of the people around here from that. There are close to a million of us around here, and even though there are some boo boo’s among us, this is generally a good area with decent folks. Take Care, and hope you are in the cast for the next season. Mike S.

  • Bruna

    Hey Allison
    I Loved Your Idea ..about this website …
    Just know that you have a BIG brazilian fan here
    Hope you all the best
    Kisses

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    Hmm. Good question.

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