There's a delightful video making the rounds today that shows Jay-Z taking the subway to his final show at the Barclays Center on Saturday. It's not the fact that Hova's on the R train that makes it so delightful (allegedly the rapper hadn't taken public transit in almost two decades) but rather the fan reactions that generally fall somewhere along the spectrum of "losing their shit" and "really losing their shit." While Jay wasn't exactly trying to go incognito on the subway, there are many other famous folks who attempt this feat and herewith, we present our 15 favorite celebrity straphangers.
1. Keanu ReevesGlad to see Keanu's subway reading material of choice is USA Today (we think).
2. Claire DanesBe careful, Claire. We've seen some gross shit go down on those benches and that bag probably cost more than half of an entry-level media salary.
3. Christina RicciSunglasses on the subway is as subtle as wearing a big "I'm a celebrity" (or, in other cases, "I'm a douchebag") t-shirt. And, besides, how can you see the Words With Friends screen in that light?
4. Mayor BloombergThe NYC politico famously rides
5. Jake GyllenhaalOh to be that sleeping man's elbow.
6. Alexa Chung and Zooey DeschanelThe New York subways always look less dingy in X-Pro II.
7. Lana Del ReySeen out of context, LDR totally resembles an Amherst/Williams/Dartmouth co-ed, passing up the big crew regatta on campus to spend a weekend in New York hitting up The Met and Los Feliz.
8. Aziz AnsariWe can only come up with two explanations for why Aziz could be in his boxers: he's either participating in The No Pants Subway Ride or this is part of some madcap, GQ-sponsored underpants adventure with James Murphy and David Chang.
9. Anne Hathaway and Adam ShulmanThe newlyweds got called out for breaking two of the holiest subway etiquette commandments: Thou shalt not engage in public displays of affection and Thou shalt not hog the pole. Busted.
10. Neil Patrick HarrisNPH totally reminds us of a cute guy who works for a digital design firm in DUMBO...right down to the man bag and lace-less sneaks.
11. Kim and Kourtney KardashianThere's something mildly offensive about this photo akin to when Westerners spend gobs of money to go on vacations in third world countries in search of "authentic experiences." Is the 6 line the Kardashian equivalent of Eat Pray Love?
12. Hugh JackmanGod, this man is hot. Though not even he can pull off the subway shades look -- see Christina Ricci above.
13. Anderson CooperGood to know Anderson also stares longingly at McDonald's ads on the subway. Treat yo' self, Anderson.
14. BeyoncéThis is a mirage.
15. Rudy GiulianiThe former mayor/onetime presidential candidate totally looks like that old, smelly man passed out on the train after having had a few too many. Even the dude in the background is giving him the stank eye.
UPDATE
16. Katie HolmesWe admit this is pretty cool considering the fact that all eyes are on Katie post-divorce. However, everyone in New York knows that no matter who you are, all eyes are on you on the subway -- especially crazy people's eyes. Most people fear for their lives while waiting for a train or commuting -- you never know if that twitchy, mumbling man next to you is just scratching his beard and lost in thought or if he's withdrawing from crystal meth and about to experience a psychotic break in which he rips your face off. You really never know. So cheers to Katie, but c'mon, you know she had a bodyguard ready to pounce from down the car, should anyone try to rip her face off.
[Photo via Life & Style]
[via Complex/Buzzfeed/Celebrities on the Subway]
