Pretty much like you and me, that’s how. Just take a look at his personal Tumblr, “Confessions of a Michael Stipe”. He abides by the same rules as any old Joe. The frontman of the “fathers of alt rock” has no special privileges or treatment of any kind when it comes to the creative work he makes public there.

"Confessions of a Michael Stipe" Is The Official Tumblr Of REM's Iconic Singer

Stipe has recently remarked that his personal Tumblr actually represents the “real” him – it’s not subject to people’s preconceptions, and no record company exerts the slightest influence on what he decides to publish.

Stipe also says he picked that name because of its ironic value. “This might not be the Michael Stipe that you think you know,” he said, “this is actually me”.