A woman from Herning, Denmark, has turned celebrity spotting into a passionate hobby, collecting over 30 selfies with famous Danes on the city’s main pedestrian street. Gitte Sivebæk Mulvad says she gets a genuine thrill from meeting celebrities in public and can’t resist approaching them for a quick photo.
A Growing Collection of Celebrity Encounters
Gitte Sivebæk Mulvad has developed what she describes as an instinct when it comes to spotting famous faces. She simply can’t help herself when she encounters a celebrity in her hometown of Herning. After a brief chat and a laugh, she adds another photo to her collection, which now includes around 30 pictures with well-known Danes.
Her collection features an impressive range of Danish celebrities. She’s photographed actor Jesper Groth, whom she recognized despite his sunglasses. She caught comedian Niels Hausgaard sitting at a café and bumped into singer Anders Blichfeldt walking down the street. Surprisingly, Herning’s pedestrian zone has become a hotspot for these chance encounters.
Why Herning Attracts So Many Celebrities
Herning may not be Denmark’s largest city, but it hosts numerous events that draw famous visitors. According to Gitte, there’s always something happening in the city, and celebrities don’t hide when they’re there. They walk openly through the pedestrian street, making them accessible to fans.
The selfie hunting began six or seven years ago. She attributes the hobby’s start to the rise of smartphones and social media, which made taking and sharing photos more fun and immediate. After each encounter, she reviews the photo and experiences what she describes as a genuine high.
The Thrill of the Encounter
For Gitte, the excitement comes from the personal connection. She believes that despite their fame and talents, celebrities are fundamentally just people. Getting them one-on-one for a brief moment gives her a kick. It’s the simple joy of the interaction that matters most.
Her approach is straightforward and friendly. She smiles, walks up to them, and asks if they’ll take a picture. Despite being only 158 centimeters tall, which creates amusing height differences in some photos, her warm demeanor has worked every time.
Strategic Spotting During Major Events
Events like the European Men’s Handball Championship in Herning are particularly fruitful for Gitte’s hobby. During such occasions, she knows exactly which routes to take if she wants to spot someone famous. At one point, she encountered six national team handball players on their way to the bakery.
When she approached the towering athletes for photos, the height difference was immediately apparent. Fortunately, wing player Emil Jakobsen took charge, grabbing her phone and ensuring they got good shots. Despite admitting she’s somewhat slow with technology, her friendly approach has never failed her.
Respectful Boundaries
While Gitte is enthusiastic about her celebrity selfie collection, she maintains clear boundaries. Her daughter sometimes finds it embarrassing, but Gitte remains unembarrassed herself. However, she draws a firm line when celebrities are engaged in private activities.
When someone is on a personal errand, she keeps her distance and respects their privacy. Similarly, if they appear busy or are on the phone, she won’t interrupt them. She once saw politician Morten Messerschmidt and television personality Dennis Ritter talking on their phones and chose not to approach them.
Dream Encounters and Favorite Photos
Among her collection, two selfies currently hold the top spots as favorites. One is with actor Jesper Groth, and the other features Mads Mikkelsen‘s brother, actor Lars Mikkelsen. Both encounters were particularly memorable for different reasons.
Despite her impressive collection, there’s one Danish celebrity who stands above all others on her wish list. That person is Nikolaj Stokholm, whom she considers Denmark’s funniest man. She’s heard rumors that he might be attending a handball match in town, though she suspects friends might be teasing her since they know about her dream encounter.
An Ongoing Adventure
For now, Gitte continues her celebrity spotting adventures on Herning’s pedestrian street. Each encounter brings genuine joy and excitement. The fact that the famous people she approaches are consistently friendly and willing to chat makes the experience even better.
Her collection stands as a testament to Herning’s vibrant cultural scene and the accessibility of Danish celebrities. Meanwhile, her enthusiasm shows no signs of waning. With each new event coming to town, there’s always the possibility of adding another memorable selfie to her growing album.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Mads Mikkelsen Danish Screen Icon
The Danish Dream: Best Festivals in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Kvinde får kick af selfier med kendte
