The smart way to do it is to be unique before you get lucky and become famous. Take a listen to an old Talking Heads record or a house designed by Wright early in his career. They were unique before they were famous. This takes more patience, more guts and a lot more weirdness because the thing you're doing is actually interesting before it (if you're lucky) becomes popular. You might not end up as Oprah, but your uniqueness is yours, and it can pay off long before the masses choose you merely because you're the famous one.
Another great post by Seth Godin. I've always told my peers that fame and fortune are not the goal but the by-product of good work. I will now amend that statement to indicate that fame and fortune are not the goal but the by-product of good, unique work.