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  "path": "/celebrity/paul-mccartney-influencer-culture-beatles",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-14T11:23:47.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Coronation Street's Bill Roache, 94, shares one plot from ITV soap he refused: 'Took it personally'",
    "Fleur East admits 'I am bothered' as she addresses Strictly hosting snub: 'Coming to terms with it'",
    "Rosie Jones dealt huge blow as Channel 4 comedy series axed after just one season",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSir Paul McCartney has expressed bewilderment about social media influencers, questioning what specific talents many of them possess.\n\nThe 83-year-old Beatles legend cited his \"generation\" as the reason he struggles to grasp the phenomenon.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr McCartney made the remarks during an appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast with hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman, where he stated: \"I think a lot of this influencer stuff - I just don't really get it, because I'm not that generation.\n\n\"I think it's funny - and I suppose it always happened - but people who don't seem to be particularly talented are incredibly famous. Billions of hits and views.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe musician, who has remained one of the world's most recognisable figures for over six decades, admitted he struggles to comprehend how modern celebrity culture operates online.\n\nMs McCartney acknowledged that his views might make him appear out of touch with contemporary culture.\n\n\"You've got to be careful about saying that, because it makes you sound very old-fashioned. Which I am,\" he admitted.\n\nThe former Beatle revealed that his exposure to influencer content typically comes through his wife, Nancy, who browses Instagram and shares posts with him.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"My wife will be looking at Instagram and showing me something, and then one of those will come on,\" he explained.\n\nDespite having been at the centre of global fame since the 1960s, Mr McCartney confessed he doesn't quite understand the world of online celebrity.\n\nThe musician also disclosed that he often declines requests for photographs with admirers, a move he described as \"radical these days.\"\n\nMr McCartney recounted how he had shared this with Oprah Winfrey, who was surprised to learn he refuses such requests.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Coronation Street's Bill Roache, 94, shares one plot from ITV soap he refused: 'Took it personally'\n  * Fleur East admits 'I am bothered' as she addresses Strictly hosting snub: 'Coming to terms with it'\n  * Rosie Jones dealt huge blow as Channel 4 comedy series axed after just one season\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"The minute I start thinking I'm something above myself, I won't like me. It's very important for me to just be me,\" he candidly shared.\n\nHe went on to share an analogy involving a street performer in Saint-Tropez who charges tourists to pose with his monkey.\n\n\"I really do not want to feel like that monkey,\" he said. \"And when I take a picture with someone, I do feel like him. I'm not me anymore - I'm suddenly something else.\"\n\nThe musician's comments come as he prepares to release his new album, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, this month.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe record marks his first new material in five years and represents his 18th solo studio album.\n\nThe introspective collection revisits his Liverpool childhood and early experiences with John Lennon and George Harrison before Beatlemania took hold.\n\nReflecting on how celebrity has evolved since his rise to stardom, Mr McCartney noted a shift in attitudes among famous people.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"When you're first famous, you love it - because it's what you were trying to achieve,\" he said.\n\n\"There was none of this 'oh, people are bothering me' - that's a modern affliction. We loved it. And you learn to deal with it.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Paul McCartney lets rip against modern-day celebrities as The Beatles icon hits out against lack of 'talent'"
}