celebrities are always in the spotlight, and no matter how hard they try to keep things private, the media frequently probes deep into their lives. However, certain things continue to elude the camera or social media or do not receive enough attention, and knowing a little bit about the person behind the character is beneficial.
For example, learning that
Jennifer Lawrence has a tattoo to remind her to drink water just adds to our affection for her. Moreover, Nicolas Cage was once paid $20 million to play Superman. Today, we've compiled a list of odd celebrity facts that few people are likely to be aware of.
1. Nicolas Cage was paid $20 million to the role Superman.
Source: Getty Images
Nicolas Cage almost played Superman in a tale in which he lost his flying ability but still fought and defeated a monstrous spider. The film was originally named Superman Lives, but officials at Warner Bros. canceled it at the last minute. Cage was still awarded $20 million and called his baby Kal-El, Superman's name on Krypton.
2. Nicole Kidman has a dreadful phobia of butterflies.
Source: Getty Images
Nicole Kidman is fine with leaping off of aircraft and even having bugs on her, but she despises butterflies and moths. The fear of butterflies is known as lepidopterophobia, and Kidman says she has tried and failed to overcome it. She is terrified by the feel of butterfly bodies and owes her dread to having seen enormous examples as a youngster in Australia.
3. Matthew McConaughey did not wear deodorant
Source: Getty Images
Matthew McConaughey hasn't worn deodorant in a long time because he believes a guy should smell like a man. Yvette Nicole Brown, his co-star, went so far as to claim he smelled like "granola and good life."
4. Jennifer Lawrence has a tattoo to remind her to drink water
Source: Getty Images
Jennifer Lawrence received the molecular symbol for water, "H20," tattooed on her palm as part of a bonding activity while filming The Hunger Games with co-star Liam Hemsworth.
Lawrence says she got the tattoo because she figured she may as well have something on her hand that reminded her to remain hydrated. Surprisingly, the tattoo is wrong since the '2' should be placed below the H and O.
5. Leonardo DiCaprio has a link to the Mona Lisa
Source: Getty Images
Leonardo DiCaprio is named after the artist Leonardo da Vinci, and the origins of the name are fascinating. DiCaprio revealed that his parents were on their honeymoon in Florence's Uffizi Gallery. They were staring at artwork by Leonardo da Vinci when DiCaprio "began kicking vigorously when my mother was pregnant." His father, an artist himself, chose that name for his child.
6. Rami Malek has a twin brother, Sami
Source: Getty Images
Rami Malek has an identical twin brother, Sami, who resembles the actor but lives a totally different life. Sami is a double major in American Literature and Culture and African-American Studies with a teaching background. Rami occasionally takes him to red carpet events.
7. Singer Lorde rates onion rings on Instagram
Source: Getty Images
Lorde isn't only a singer; she's also an onion ring appraiser on Instagram. Lorde's secret account, "onionringsworldwide," had only four posts before her identity was revealed to the press. She removed the page but then reinstated it, acknowledging it in a new post.
8. Ed Sheeran has a giant lion tat on the chest
Source: Getty Images
Ed Sheeran is also a crazy tattoo canvas, with a massive lion tattoo on his chest only one of many colorful works of art adorning his body.
The motive behind the tattoo is rather lovely. Sheeran's three-night London gig at Wembley Stadium was a sell-out, and as England's national emblem is a lion, he got the tattoo to commemorate the occasion.
9. Jennifer Aniston nearly got onto Saturday Night Live
Source: Getty Images
Jennifer Aniston was given a spot on Saturday Night Live soon before Friends. But she botched it up by approaching Lorne Michaels and accusing the program of being a "boy's club." She did not receive the part and instead played Rachel Green, which worked out just fine for her.
10. Michelle Pfeiffer thoughtshe could survive in sunlight
Source: Getty Images
When Michelle Pfeiffer first arrived in Hollywood, she joined a club known as the "breatharians." They thought that the human body did not require food or drink and that sunshine was sufficient. Fortunately, Pfeiffer recognized her error early on and fixed herself with the support of her first husband, Peter Horton.
11. There’s an insect named after Beyoncé
Source: Getty Images
People look forward to celebrities in various ways. When researcher Bryan Lessard discovered a fly with a golden behind or rather golden hair on its bottom, he decided it was "Bootylicious" enough to be called after the song's singer,
Beyoncé. As a result, the species is known as Scaptia (Plinthina) Beyonce.
12. Eva Mendes desired to be a nun
Source: Getty Images
Eva Mendes planned to be a nun but changed her mind for reasons unrelated to Ryan Gosling. Mendes claims her convent hopes were dashed when her older sister informed her that nuns were not paid. She wanted to purchase her mother a house and realized that being a nun would not allow her to do so, though we're sure Gosling is also grateful.
13. Emma Stone believes her deceased grandfather is around
Source: Getty Images
Emma Stone believes in the metaphysical realm and admits to experiencing some supernatural "materialization" on The Late Show with David Letterman. Stone believes that her grandfather leaves quarters for her to find. She never dug into the subject, calling it a "long story," but her faith is unwavering.
14. George Clooney was once paid $3 for a role
Source: Getty Images
George Clooney believed so strongly in one film that he accepted a $3 pay to ensure its completion. He received a buck for writing, directing, and performing in the film Good Night and Good Luck. It was nominated for an Oscar, so Clooney certainly chose passion over money on this one.
15. Daniel Radcliffe had a crush on Drew Barrymore
Source: Getty Images
Eva Mendes had intended to become a nun but decided against it for reasons unconnected to Ryan Gosling. Mendes states that her ambitions of joining a convent were shattered when her older sister informed her that nuns are not paid. She intended to buy her mother a house but realized that being a nun would prevent her from doing so, for which we're sure Gosling is glad.