Nigerian rapper and singer, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, popularly known as Zlatan Ibile, has criticised fans who behave excessively when they encounter celebrities, saying some people make themselves look foolish because of their perception of fame.

The “Zanku” crooner made the comment in a post shared on X on Tuesday, October 6, while reflecting on how some people conduct themselves around public figures.

Zlatan said he often wished those who become overly excited or uncomfortable around celebrities had a famous person in their families. According to him, such familiarity could help people understand that celebrities are ordinary people despite their public status.
“I wish some of you had at least one celebrity in your family. Maybe then you’d understand,” he wrote.

The rapper also acknowledged that he did not entirely blame people for their reactions, suggesting that their behaviour could be influenced by the way they perceive celebrity status.

He, however, urged people to maintain their composure and avoid turning themselves into objects of ridicule on social media.
“The way some of y’all look stupid in front of celebrities, I always wish y’all had one in your family,” Zlatan said.
“Still, I can’t blame some of y’all. There’s more to life than being famous and making a nuisance of yourself online.”

His remarks have drawn attention online, particularly around the broader issue of how fans interact with
entertainers and other public figures. Celebrity encounters can often produce emotional reactions, particularly when fans meet personalities they have followed for years. Social media has also made such moments more visible, with videos of fans meeting their favourite musicians, actors and influencers frequently circulating online.

While some social media users agreed with Zlatan that admiration should not result in embarrassing or intrusive behaviour, others noted that excitement is a natural response when meeting a celebrity for the first time.
Zlatan’s comments come amid the increasingly close relationship between Nigerian entertainers and their audiences, with social media allowing fans to interact directly with celebrities outside traditional concerts and public appearances.

The rapper, who has built a career around Afrobeats and Nigerian street-pop, is known for his strong social media presence and has frequently generated online conversations through his posts and interactions with other entertainers.

His latest comments have therefore added to an ongoing conversation about the boundaries between celebrity admiration and personal dignity, particularly in an era when encounters with public figures can quickly become content for social media.

For Zlatan, however, fame should not be enough reason for anyone to abandon their composure or make themselves a spectacle online.