Being popular can become narcotic. We can come to crave it and to need the frequent "fixes" brought by the world's praise and caresses of recognition. A turned head bows much less easily.
Popularity is dangerous especially because it focuses us on ourselves rather than keeping us attentive to the needs of others. We become preoccupied with self and with being noticed, letting those in real need "pass by" us, and we "notice them not" (Morm. 8:39). It is a sad fact, therefore, that popularity gets in the way of our keeping both of the two great commandments!"

Popularity and Principle, Ensign, Mar. 1995, p. 12 Ensign