Public figures still have separate labels, I'm sure you'll have to have a credit card that matches your name on file (even if you choose to publicly remain anonymous). This is a much faster way to verify someone's identity than having people submit a photo ID and articles about them or written by them... Which was the previous requirement.

I do wish that public figures would have a different badge color or a fully filled in badge with other verified users having only a bordered badge etc. Frankly we don't really know what it will look like.