" I’ve always been profoundly ambivalent about fame. I think it just eats the reality out of you and it can be intoxicating because I like some of it. "
- Jane Pauley

In the statement under consideration, Jane Pauley expresses her complex feelings about fame. She acknowledges that it has a way of altering one's sense of reality and can be quite alluring, but she also admits to enjoying some aspects of it.

Pauley’s ambivalence reflects a deeper understanding of how fame can impact an individual both positively and negatively. On the surface, fame brings attention and admiration from others, which can feel validating and exhilarating. However, this external validation often comes with a cost; it may distort one's self-perception and lead to behaviors that are not true to their authentic selves. The allure of fame lies in its ability to make people feel important and desirable, but it can also create an unrealistic bubble where the distinction between real and fabricated experiences blurs.

Jane Pauley is an American journalist, author, and television personality known for her work on "Today" and other prominent media platforms. Her insights into the nature of fame are informed by her extensive experience in public life, allowing her to speak with authority about the dual-edged sword that fame can be.