If you ever run into Paul McCartney and instinctively reach for your phone, don’t be surprised if you leave without a selfie.
The legendary Beatle is opening up about why he doesn’t take photos with fans, and his reasoning is surprisingly personal. During a recent appearance on the podcast “The Rest Is Entertainment,” McCartney explained that while the request may seem harmless, it takes him out of the moment. “I say, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t do pictures.’ And that is like, radical these days,” he said.
For McCartney, it is not about being difficult. It is about staying grounded. “I feel [normalness] is very important to me. The minute I get like, above myself and start thinking I’m something else, I won’t like me,” he explained, adding that it is important for him “to be sort of just me.”
Why Paul McCartney Says No to Selfies
The 83-year-old musician said fan interactions have changed over the years, largely due to smartphones. Instead of conversations, he often finds people immediately reaching for their cameras. According to The Independent, McCartney noted that people now instinctively “reach for their phone” the moment they meet him.
At times, he keeps his reasoning simple. “I don’t want to. It’s as simple as that,” he said. He even recalled telling Oprah the same thing, highlighting how unusual his stance is in today’s celebrity culture.
But when fans press him for a deeper explanation, McCartney admits he sometimes shares what he calls a “long-winded” story. The comparison involves a man he once saw in Saint-Tropez who charged tourists to take photos with a monkey.
“I really do not want to feel like that monkey. And when I take a picture with you, I do feel like him. I’m not me. I’m suddenly something else,” McCartney said, describing the situation as “a phenomenon of how we live now.”
He added that these interactions often leave fans with a story instead of a photo. “You met Paul McCartney? Did you get a picture? ‘No, he just went on about some bloody monkey,’” he joked.
Still in the Spotlight Without the Selfies
GettyWhile McCartney may be drawing a firm line when it comes to photos, he remains as active as ever in his career.
The music icon is gearing up for the release of his upcoming album “The Boys of Dungeon Lane,” which drops May 29. The project includes a duet with fellow Beatles member Ringo Starr and reflects on his early life and memories growing up in Liverpool, per People.
He has also been making major public appearances. Most recently, McCartney returned to “Saturday Night Live” as the musical guest for its Season 51 finale, marking his first regular-season appearance in nearly 14 years. During the episode, he performed “Days We Left Behind” from his new album, along with classics like “Band on the Run,” and even surprised the audience with a third performance of “Coming Up” during the cast goodbyes, according to Page Six.
Beyond music, McCartney has also been candid about how he views modern fame. He admitted he “just doesn’t really get” influencer culture and noted that “people who don’t seem to be particularly talented are incredibly famous.”
Still, his approach to fan interactions remains unchanged. For McCartney, skipping the selfie is not about distance. It is about connection on his own terms. As he put it, “I really do not want to feel like that monkey.”
