Which living person would be most recognised by people worldwide?

[Sunny54321]

Middle of the night musings.

i would have said the late Queen would have been recognised in the most countries around the world but not sure who would now. Maybe Trump?

Anyone I'm forgetting?

Can we all please spare a moments thought for the poster on here who has only just found out that Michael Jackson is dead?! 😂

I'm not sure I'd recognise Taylor Swift if she knocked on my door right now! I know for sure that my husband wouldn't.
I guess it would be Trump or Putin.
Followed by the Pope, maybe King Charles?
David Beckham?
But I sense that I'm being too Western-centric here....

No idea who she is. Nothing to do with ‘pretending’ or ‘being cool’.

So who is she???

Taylor Swift

Nope, never even heard of her, let alone recognise her. What does she do?

With that Natasha woman, I think if Google doesn't know who you are and asks "Did you mean...?" when people search for you, that's a pretty good sign that you aren't famous.

Especially considering that, if you search for 'Bungle the Bear', it knows exactly who he is!!!

I remember reading somewhere years ago that Mr Bean has been broadcast on a huge number of countries, because it's universal slapstick and basically silent comedy which doesn't need dubbing.

So I'll throw Rowan Atkinson into the ring as a wildcard!

Mr Bean

Oh cross posted 😂

It’s Ronaldo.

Even if you personally don’t recognise him there was a study done (which included QE2) where they accessed remote regions in rainforest and tiny tribes all over the world and Ronaldo was known in more communities and groups than any of the others.

But do they know Rowan Atkinson or do they just know Mr Bean? Would they see Rowan - in or out of character - and say "That's Rowan Atkinson, that is"?

If we're adding fictional characters into this, we'd have to include Harry Potter, Darth Vader, The Simpsons, Spongebob... loads of them.

Mr Bean

I only just saw your username! On behalf of all of MN, can I please say how humbled and privileged we are that you've found time in your global schedule to come on and chat with us?!

Messi and Ronaldo for me, football is so popular around the world. While I know who Taylor Swift is and know her music from the radio I have only the vaguest idea what she looks like. Kim K - maybe but she's got all those identikit sisters. Pope in his pope clothes - yes.

I e also googled and all I get is a Natasha sparkes who was in one episode of Holby. 🤷‍♀️

I suppose it depends whether recognition relies on knowing the name, or just "Oh, it's that actor/footballer/celebrity".

For example, I can recognise a lot of footballers by their face & know what they do even if they aren't in sportswear, but almost certainly couldn't name them. Not sure if that counts as recognising them? 🤔

Ronaldo, Trump, Taylor Swift.

It's interesting on the other thread about annoying adverts, how many people (including me at first) didn't have a clue that the blokes in the Trivago advert are actually famous football managers.

Presumably not very successful ones, mind, if their overriding concern is in saving £60 on an overnight hotel stay. I doubt Elton John personally haggles with his florist for a cheaper deal!!

That suggests you are neither Catholic, Chinese, nor Indian. Lots of people are.

I think that’s supposed to be the gag — they’re rich as Croesus but haggling about cheap hotel stays on an app. I only recognise the one with the terrifying teeth, and only because he has a wonderfully ploppy name and DS tells me people pretend to be him by putting a tube ticket in their mouths and grinning.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cZaIxNCLvus

I reckon Keir Starmer would be a good shout.

Even on his own modest account he’s everywhere in the world, bestriding the globe like a colossus.

Plus he’s got a really special, memorable voice.

Apparently he is huge in Ukraine and is supposed to have been an influence on Zelensky when he was an actor!

I am catholic. If the pope were wearing pope clothes, then of course I would recognise him. But just a random picture - no way! And many people are not catholic, chinese or indian. So I don't think they fit into the description. Trump and Putin are regularly on TV. No idea if people without TVs would recognise them.

Me neither.

Not living but ..
The Queen
Michael Jackson

No one living that I can think of 🤔