Security and the future

[stevemacdonald]

Lately, a burning question has come up in the minds of many Hayley fans: Is she receiving adequate protection from the dangers posed by stalkers? Up until recently this was a low-priority concern and it took a couple of unfortunate incidents to get everyone's full attention, including Hayley's.

Thanks to websites such as HWI, fans around the world have had many "up-close and personal" looks at Hayley both onstage and backstage throughout her rise to prominence. It's almost taken for granted that we'll get to see excellent photos of her and her better-known, better-connected fans after major shows.

Fortunately so far, Hayley hasn't been in the paparazzi's crosshairs, but that may change if her star rises much higher. We live in an age where paparazzi are given a free pass on capturing celebrities in their most unguarded moments, where boundaries don't stand a chance against overly prying eyes.

So whither goest the future of security for an increasingly high-profile Ms Westenra? Clearly, not all the safeguards are in place for a smooth transition to icon status. Would keeping her career on a slower path afford her more freedom of personal motion and reduce interest in her private world? How far can she take her success before the tradeoffs take an unacceptable toll?

[Steve H]

Hi Steve, Its good to hear from you again! This is a difficult subject to broach without letting the emotion run away with us. The situation should settle soon and I hope things can get back to normal, When Hayley gets back to the UK in June I would expect Steve Abbott or Giselle to accompany her during her summer tour, then she is to have a holiday at the end of June, One bad apple should not spoil it for the rest of her loyal supporters.

stevemacdonald said:

Thanks to websites such as HWI, fans around the world have had many "up-close and personal" looks at Hayley both onstage and backstage throughout her rise to prominence. It's almost taken for granted that we'll get to see excellent photos of her and her better-known, better-connected fans after major shows.

I an not sure whether there are any better known better connected fans, we all have the opportunity to see Hayley after shows if there is time, to queue up and get some memorabilia signed, or to have photo's taken with Hayley.

Some times it works out and sometimes it doesn't, the more often you go the more chance you have of striking lucky!

I don't think any of the HWI team are 'better connected' than the rest of us, from what I have seen they go out of their way to involve as many new members as they can in the after show meetings, and they share as much information as they can on the forum. we all share the same thrill from seeing Hayley and getting as close to her as we can without crossing the line.

It was great to see Katherine Jenkins supporters at the Royal Albert Hall last week, and for Katherine to acknowledge them as she did, I am absolutely convinced that 'WE' are all important to Hayley, and she has gone out of her way to acknowledge that on many occasions. HWI will I am sure continue to give her our full support whatever she decides to do about security.

Keep in touch, thank you for starting this thread so that we can all 'have our say' on the matter.

Best Wishes
Steve H

[stevemacdonald]

Hi Steve,

Let me hasten to point out that I consider myself one of Hayley's better-known and better connected fans, and I even have the pics to prove it!

It's also great for the HWI site that Hayley can spot her friends like Roger, Dave and Richard at the various events and pose with them so enthusiastically. You can see it on her face she knows she's among friends!

This ease of access to her is not something anyone should presume, regardless of how approachable Hayley appears in our pictures. But at the same time I would hardly blame anyone for having a heightened sense of familiarity with her having gotten so vicariously close.

I would feel better for Hayley if there were more of an air of mystery about her so no one would have the jump on where to meet her unless specifically invited. That would return some of the control back to her about whether she really wants to hang around or make tracks.

Regards,
Steve

[fusilier23]

True, having met her so many times and at least once having had her all to myself, however briefly, there is an illusion that Hayley's a friend, albeit one you don't see very often. In a lot of ways accessibility is a game it's tough to win, if an artist will never go near fans, then they come off as aloof and arrogant, but being accessible can result in the latest horrors in Germany.

But, on the other hand, this kind of nonsense might have resulted anyway. I don't recall Jodie Foster as being any more accessible than most Hollywood stars, yet she was the inspiration for the wacky John Hinckley Jr., who tried to assassinate President Reagan in her name but failed (much to the chagrin of some folks I could name, but I digress). There will always be the mentally ill and there will always be those mentally ill who focus irrationally on this person or that person and try to do crazy things. For Hayley to hide from the world because there's one wacky person out there would be an admission that she can be spooked too easily. With the addition of her own personal bodyguard, she should be ok.