Kevin Parker, the 40-year-old frontman of Tame Impala, announced through Instagram Stories on Monday that he will cease signing autographs and taking photos outside hotels and airports. Parker attributed the decision to what he described as the rise of aggressive professional autograph collectors who he claimed have enlisted children to obtain his signature.
Parker also stated he would no longer meet fans in parking lots following shows for the time being, citing security concerns. He explained that while he had previously engaged in meet-and-greets with fans after European shows, the number of attendees became unmanageable given his team’s security resources. He urged fans to enjoy the shows and travel safely.
Parker’s decision aligns with policies adopted by other notable entertainers. In 2008, Ringo Starr discontinued accepting fan mail and signing items after becoming frustrated with autographed materials being resold online. Singer Billie Eilish stopped signing autographs in 2019 after recognizing that fans resold her signed items, and she noted fans became hostile when she declined requests. Comedian Steve Martin has long distributed business cards as an alternative to autographs. Star Trek actor William Shatner reserves signatures for convention appearances and charity events, and Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston retired from signing autographs outside organized events in 2018, though he indicated openness to taking selfies.
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