Sophie Heawood's Guardian opinion piece draws on her visit to Southwark crown court for Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault trial, where fame itself loomed as if on trial, and on her 20 years of celebrity journalism to argue we only ever know stars as they wish to be known. She recalls her 2011 Brand interview with Helen Mirren, a 2007 day with Jared Leto — accused by four women, which he denies — and teenage David Walliams relationships he disputes, ending with advice to interviewers that the star is never your friend.