Tuesday, 26 September 2006

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Leonardo DiCaprio struggles to lead a 'normal' life

Titanic star battles to stay low-key amidst cult of celebrity

Leonardo DiCaprio struggles to stay clear of fakes and aims to lead a normal life.

The actor, who shot to stardom in 1997 with hit film Titanic, says he strives to stay low-key and hang out with friends he's known for years.

Now 31, Leo claims he spends most nights at home - shunning high profile events.

In an interview with The Sun he says: 'It's disheartening when you meet certain people and they've already categorised you in their mind, defined who you are.

'Those aren't the kind of people I want to be associated with and I could care less about having a conversation with.

'Truth is I don't need any more friends. I have my friends. But I meet people and if they're somebody I feel a connection with, I'm not going to say,"I'm too famous and sceptical."'

Leonardo, who stars in new film The Departed with Jack Nicholson – which hits the big screen on 6 October – says he was shocked by the Titanic phenomenon.

He recalls: 'I was walking through the airport in Paris and I remember looking down to see a girl holding on to my leg.

'I said, "Whatever illusions of grandeur you have about me, they're not true. I will look you in the eye and we'll speak and it's fine. You don't need to dig your nails into my leg. It doesn't need to be like this."'