For millions of basketball fans, Stephen Curry‘s dazzling three-pointers and joyful celebrations have become synonymous with the modern NBA. Yet off the court, Curry faces a far different challenge: living a life where everyday freedoms have all but disappeared, replaced by a constant spotlight and the pressures of global fame.
The Golden State Warriors icon recently gave a rare look into the downsides of superstardom-one that, at times, has drawn comparisons to music legend Michael Jackson.
Speaking with Speedy Morman for Complex, Curry was asked how he handles being recognized everywhere, and if it’s as overwhelming as being likened to the King of Pop.
“Spooky T tells me you’re like Michael Jackson. I’m sure that feels good, but some points it has to be like a logistical nightmare?” Morman asked. Curry did not hesitate to agree. “It is,” he replied. Even the most mundane tasks now require planning and caution. “You don’t want to overcomplicate something simple. Like, ‘Hey, we just want to go to dinner in an hour, and I got to make like 7 phone calls just to make sure I can get where I need to go.’ I do hate that part.”
When celebrity becomes a burden
Curry‘s ascent from sharpshooting underdog to four-time NBA champion – and Olympic gold medalist – has earned him legions of fans around the world. He now commands over 58 million Instagram followers and has redefined the way basketball is played at every level. Still, the benefits of this stardom come with sacrifices.
“Someone will claim that ‘it must be so cool’ to be that well recognized, but forget that your entire life changes in a flash,” Curry said, revealing how quickly his world transformed.
The reality of his fame first struck him years ago. In an interview with The Athletic, Curry described a turning point when his family was mobbed at an airport: “One of the worst experiences of my life. Getting bothered left and right from the time we showed up at the airport to the time we got to the house in Charlotte. That was probably when it was like, OK, this is crazy. And, yeah, it’s got even crazier from there.”
Curry‘s experiences have left him humble. “It’s uncomfortable at times, for sure. Because I’m not that important. I’m not,” he said, playing down the celebrity status that so many assign him.
Finding balance amid the chaos of stardom
Despite the downside, Curry tries to focus on the positives, both in his basketball career and his life away from the game. He is celebrated not only as a once-in-a-generation athlete but also as a devoted family man and philanthropist. Curry‘s former teammate Shaun Livingston offered a unique perspective, calling him “A-list, A-plus. Another tier. Think of the hottest movie star. It’s probably even more than that.”
Still, Curry knows few can relate to his situation. While Michael Jackson‘s level of fame was once seen as unique-almost mythical-Curry‘s career has put him in rare company, both celebrated and scrutinized on a global scale. Unlike many who have stumbled under that pressure, Curry has adapted, learning to appreciate his fans and the life basketball has given him, while privately navigating the loss of anonymity.
His journey underscores that superstardom is never as simple as it seems from afar. The NBA will one day move on, but Curry‘s legacy as a groundbreaker-both on and off the court-will endure. As he puts it, there’s always a cost to being recognized everywhere, even for someone as beloved as Steph Curry.
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