What does it mean to be a true fan?

Most of us are guilty of being very attracted to celebrities physically. But in my mind, a true fan has more of an intellectual fascination with a celebrity. True fans are people who are inspired to follow dreams--and to follow the example of someone in that profession or a realted one. Being a true fan isn't about how much you know, how many photographs you have saved, what your website is, how many people are in your forum (112 Thanks!) or who would make a better "Future Mrs. Bloom/Pitt/Bana/Wood/Boyd/Connery". (Yes, I know Sean Connery is old, but he's still got sex appeal!) If you study the art of filmmaking, watch someone's career and try to use their kind of thinking in your own, dedicate your life to the art of story telling, or just plain hang on to your hope despite times of sickness and injury (like Mr. Bloom's back injury), then you might be what I call a true fan. Still, there is a place for everyone among Bloom fans. Anyone, any age, from anywhere, is welcome to come sit with us and share photos, stories and admiration for Mr. Bloom and his work.

AMBROSIA

Fan Projects!
There are a number of fans, self included, that have started little websites dedicated to Orlando Bloom and his fans. I think it is important at this time to tell you what I have seen on the web recently.
There are sites that I am ashamed to see in existence! There are forums where people post trash about Orlando and his private life. We won't tolerate that sort of behavior at OBN. It is the opinion of management and members that Orlando should be treated with respect. He is a real person with feelings and thoughts. His private life should remain private. Internet gossip gives true fans a bad name! Orlando is a fine actor, and very attractive. I understand that you can say whatever you like, dream up any scenario you wish, but my advice is to pray that Orlando never sees some of the junk you post! It really is disgraceful, and quite dangerous to Orlando and his fans.
Worse yet, there are sites where people impersonate Orlando. Indeed they post as if they are Orlando speaking directly to the fans. This is so sick and wrong. You know, we've heard from Orlando's own mouth several times that there is no official site and he does not get on the web at all. You can rest assured that these people are big fakes! You should tell them so! I wrote Lori V and the fan mail team regarding this issue and here is what Lori had to say...

"Hi Deb,

Thanks for writing and thanks for your concern.

At the present time, and for the foreseeable future,
there are no plans to create an 'official' website or
even make the lines of communication more 'official'.
Its just not possible for a number of reasons, the
most important being that Orlando wants to be involved
and he just has no time at present.

So its left to the fan mail team to handle things as
best they can and to reputable sites to keep spreading
the word.  I think most fans know where the 'good'
sites are.  They speak for themselves.  The less
reputable sites will always try to garner attention
and visitors by passing off false information, etc.
Its just the nature of the beast. 

If these sites are doing anything illegal, for
example, getting fans to send in money under false
pretenses, then yes, this would need to be taken
further.  So please let me know.  If its all talk,
rumour and innuendo, then I think its best if its just
ignored...

good luck!
Lori"

OBBP Cancelled!
Our first featured fan project is OBBP! For two years, this project has raised thousands of dollars for Greenpeace and for Orlando's Birthday. OB's 27th birthday will be really special. I hope we can make his 28th even better...However, the project has recently been cancelled via the fan mail team's request!

"We have received word that the Orlando Bloom Birthday Project gifts have arrived in London and have been received on his behalf by the OB Fan Team. They have expressed their admiration of the beautiful beads and the obvious trouble taken in their choice and presentation.
http://www.geocities.com/sammienblue/lotrinfo/orlisbirthday.html
As most of you know, Orlando is currently (as of January and February, 2004) on location in Spain and Morocco, filming his leading role in the new Ridley Scott film, Kingdom of Heaven -- an epic historical production about a young blacksmith who gets caught up in the 12th-century Crusades. It's a big responsibility for him, and he needs to stay focused on the work, so he's asked his fanmail team not to forward things to him there, but to hold them until his return home. There's been no opportunity yet for Orlando himself to see our gifts and cards but he has been told about them and, as ever, is very appreciative of the kindness, support and affection of his fans. We hope he will have a chance to see them himself in the not-too-distant future.
The OBBP chose Greenpeace as our beneficiary organization when Orlando demonstrated his own support for one of the group's actions (a protest against ExxonMobil), and we re-confirmed the choice personally with his representative. We kept meticulous records for the Orlando Bloom Birthday Project -- we worked closely with Megan Hall at Greenpeace and were as careful as possible to be certain our figures were accurate. Both the OBBP and Megan logged the donations to make sure all were received by Greenpeace. This was achieved because donations were sent directly to Greenpeace, either by snail mail or online. The OBBP did not handle the funds at all.
However, there's always a risk when cash donations are involved and, sadly, scams happen all the time -- generous people are vulnerable. Celebrities must be cautious about having their names associated with fundraising
Orlando's Fan Team have conveyed his gratitude for our donations over the past two years and say he is very pleased that we have been able to help Greenpeace. But now, his Management is suggesting there should be no further group fundraising involving cash donations and hopes we will understand why this must be. However, other ideas would certainly be welcomed which do not directly involve cash and anyone with a good idea could always forward it to the OBBP for consideration.
Our intent is certainly not to cause worry or stress for Orlando, nor to create potential legal complications for him or ourselves ... so the OBBP will no longer be doing any group fundraising for any organization in honor of his birthday. Along with Orlando, we are pleased (and astonished!) by our success and your generosity over the past two years, but now giving this kind of gift must end. Thank you all so much for your contributions! Your gifts are a working demonstration of the love and respect you have for Orlando, and show without a doubt he has some of the best fans in the world. We hope that he has felt that supportive energy through the OBBP effort.
Being fans ourselves, we understand the wish to give something back to Orlando for all the pleasure his work ... and his sunny self ... have given us. We expect a lot more of it in the years to come, as his star rises and his career continues to grow. Fans need to say thank you as much as he needs to hear it. Since repeat letters to the fanmail address have been discouraged so we don't overload his Fan Team, we'll keep looking for some other way we can support him and let him know we're glad he's here.
The Fan Team have also told us that at the present time, about 160,000 record-breaking letters have been received for Orlando and the Team are still struggling to answer those who send reply coupons/stamped addressed envelopes, etc. They do not want to disappoint so many fans -- so further ideas are in the pipeline!
Thanks again from the OBBP for your participation!"