Pharrell Williams pointing to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Gus Ruelas/ReutersPharrell Williams pointing to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Gus Ruelas/Reuters

Pharrell Williams was floored by the statistical odds of his success as he unveiled his star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

The singer, songwriter, super-producer and fashion designer said he was dumbfounded by the honour as he was cheered on by his wife Helen and son Rocket as well as chat show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Speaking after he revealed his shiny star in front of the W Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard, he said: “I am so grateful to be acknowledged. Depending on what you believe – if you believe in God or the universe – it’s far bigger than we could ever be.

“The scientists tell us our galaxy is not one one-trillionth of what exists and, if that is the case, the mathematical odds that I would be recognised on this day, that I would be acknowledged and among the 2,500 others that have been honoured over the years, I’m ever so grateful.

“I’m a musician and I’ve been given a platform to make music and express myself; I try my hardest and the fact it was recognised on a day like today humbles me.”

Dressed in one of his trademark hats and a jacket from his fashion line Billionaire Boys Club, the Happy singer paid tribute to his music teachers and his grandmother who bought him his first snare drum. He said: “I could never properly explains what this means to me. All I thought about was music and I wanted the opportunity to create something that was good enough for people to hear on the radio.

Music has been the skeleton key that has opened every door in my life

“Music has been the skeleton key that has opened every door in my life, it’s because of music I get to work in film, in TV, fashion, art and design. Music opened all those doors to me. It’s the reason my creativity gets to continue to flourish. I can work in these disciplines because someone believed in my love of music.

“Today I’m being grounded and it’s such an honour but I don’t need this star, as much as I love it and appreciate it and will jump up and down on my bed eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with my wife later.

“I’m really grounded because everyone around me is so much better than I am, so much more talented than I am, so much more reliable than I am.

“They are so good they levitate and when everyone around you levitates, you have no choice but to realise you have to be grounded.”

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