Why the three-year disappearance is the secret to superstardom – from Beyoncé to Adele and Harry Styles

10/09/2024 03:36 AM

FROM Kylie Jenner to Kim Kardashian, megastars love lapping up life in spotlight – after all, it helps them to rake in even more.

But some celebs have proven that a break from it can actually be very fruitful too…including Rihanna and Ed Sheeran who are rumoured to be heading to Worthy Farm next year.

The performance of the Bad Habits and Shape of You superstar is sure to send his million-strong fanbase wild – especially as pal and ex-One Direction heartthrob, Harry Styles, is also in the talks of potentially headlining the 2025 festival.

The 30-year-old singleton, who is thought to have been quietly working on his fourth studio album, is not the only one to have seemingly vanished from the public eye – only to come out even stronger.

Here, Fabulous‘ writer Kate Kulniece looks at all the megastars who have shot to superstardom simply by taking a break, including Selena Gomez and Queen B – while PR expert Ed Hopkins reveals how taking ”extended breaks from the spotlight” was the best decision they made.

”This strategic absence, observed in figures like Adele, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Ed Sheeran, is not merely a retreat but a carefully crafted move that enhances their mystique and redefines their public personas.

”Their decision to prioritise privacy, step back from social media, and focus on personal well-being has proven to be a powerful strategy in maintaining and even amplifying their fame.”

Strategic absence

For the Love You Like a Love Song singer Selena, 32, stepping down from Instagram has been a must when trolls get to her, US Magazine reported.

"I have not, personally, in two years had any social media on my phone," she said during an Instagram Live in October 2020.

"I use the platform, I make sure I approve and write things I want to write, but I don't look at it and it's not on my phone."

Not being on her phone all the time has benefitted not just her mental health – but also Selena’s already-hefty bank account.

As well as becoming an investor and co-owner of the ice-cream brand Serendipity in 2020, the former child star and actress also found herself the co-founder of a mental health start-up called Wondermind.

But of course, Selena’s biggest business venture up-to-date is Rare Beauty, which she launched in September, 2020, and has since been an enormous success.

According to the data by Celebrity Networth, the beauty brand – which launched as an exclusive drop at Sephora – is now worth at least an astronomical $1.4billion

Maybe it is worth putting that phone down and scrolling late into the night after all…

”Social media can be a double-edged sword for celebrities. While it’s a great tool for connection, it also demands constant attention, which can dilute an artist’s image,” Ed explained the phenomenon in a chat with Fabulous.

”By stepping away from platforms like Instagram and Twitter, these stars are avoiding overexposure.

”They're shifting the focus back to their art rather than their personal lives or daily updates, which in turn increases interest in their work.”

Less is better

In a world of what feels like constant connectivity and oversaturation of content – including glam social media posts and sold-out tours – sometimes less is indeed better.

By removing themselves from the scene for a bit, whether it’s a year or more, world-recognised performers will build anticipation – that will soon explode in their favour.

The front face of Fenty Beauty Rihanna – also known as RiRi – las toured in 2016, where she was supported by the American rapper Travis Scott.

Although the Anti World Tour – which included famous tracks such as Umbrella and Rude Boy – grossed over $110million, Rihanna seemingly disappeared from the stage afterwards.

It wasn’t until March 2024, that that the mum-of-two staged her first full non-Super Bowl concert in nearly eight years as she was hired to perform before the wedding for an Indian billionaire's son.

As one of the biggest stars in the music history, it was speculated that Rihanna received between $5 million to $8 million for the one-off performance, with Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump among those on the 1,200-person guest list, Rolling Stones reported.

When they return, it’s a cultural moment—an event, not just a release.

Ed HopkinsPR

Fans of the Wild Thoughts singer and fashion guru should buckle up as well – as the news were recently hit by headlines of a potential world tour in 2025.

The tour, which has the ”potential to be one of the biggest comebacks of all time”, could also be accompanied by RiRi headlining Glastonbury next year – and raking in astronomical sums, only helping her to rocket into a different galaxy of stardom.

”Their absence creates a sense of mystery and anticipation that only amplifies their fame. When they return, it’s a cultural moment—an event, not just a release,” said Ed.

”This is a strategic move that plays into the psychology of demand and rarity.”

Our very own British legend, Adele, is also no stranger from disappearing from the public eye for a bit – and even allegedly ”turned down” a $200m deal to extend her tour after confirming hiatus from music.

A source told the outlet: “There have been a lot of offers but she has turned them all down because she wants to be home with her kid.

“The Chinese deal put ­millions of dollars on the table, but she did not want to do it in the end. She’s put her kid and ­boyfriend — and herself — first.”

Adele was emotional when she made her on-stage announcement, saying she wanted to “live her life” after so many years on the road.

But whilst the Set Fire to the Rain singer, 36, may enjoy much-needed quality time with her closed ones, Ed reckons the break will help her already-successful career even more.

”The deliberate withdrawal from the public eye builds immense anticipation. Fans know they won't hear from these stars for a while, so when they do resurface, it's with something meaningful.

”Whether it's a new album or a tour, the gap in communication sets the stage for a highly awaited return.

”This creates a stronger emotional connection between the star and their audience, making their presence all the more impactful.”

Keeping life private

She is one of the most dominating figures in pop music, mainly due to pushing boundaries with music, winning records and selling out arenas.

But Beyoncé’s never-ending success – and staggering $800million net worth – is also a result of maintaining control of her private life.

Although she is one of the most recognised people in history, very little is shared when it comes to the 43-year-old’s life.

”In this business, so much of your life does not belong to you unless you fight for it. I've fought to protect my sanity and my privacy because the quality of my life depended on it,” the Grammy winner said in a rare interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

”A lot of who I am is reserved for the people I love and trust.

”Those who don't know me and have never met me might interpret that as being closed off. Trust, the reason those folks don't see certain things about me is because my Virgo a** does not want them to see it….It's not because it doesn't exist!” the Crazy in Love icon said.

Ed explained why Queen B might be so quiet when it comes to her life at home – and how it could, in fact, recharge her creative batteries.

”These artists are recognizing that fame can be fleeting without balance.

”By prioritising their privacy and mental health, they’re ensuring longevity in an industry known for its burnout rate.

”The decision to take time away not only recharges them creatively but also keeps them grounded.”