I read an article with an interview with Blake Lively, and I have to say I've gained some respect for the girl. I really admire her way of being an actor and doing what she needs to do but generally staying out of the limelight. Doing so, she is being taken seriously and it looks like she may have a great career ahead of her. Something common that happens here in hollywood to young girls is this; they get a small taste of fame or success and their focus seems to be less of their art and more about their red carpet status. We've all seen it and we all know who falls victim. Blake said something I've always thought; There are actors and their are celebrities.
The problems lies here; when your career gains some momentum you can choose to have a publicist and pay somewhere in the ballpark of $3,000 a month (many pay a lot more, some a little less), and it is a promise to more fame and a better career (or so you're told). These people get you on the list for the best parties, red carpets galore, interviews and even push you for nominations at various award shows. All that you, the public, sees is pushed in your face and you are told who is "hot" and going to be a star because everyone is doing someone a favor and getting paid. The sad thing is that so little focus is on talent these days, and these young stars don't realize that sometimes more press isn't always a good thing. Sometimes it makes me feel so sick to be a part of something where most of the time, image is more focused on than talent. Also these young girls don't see how these people aren't always out for their best interests, and a lot of the time these young Hollywood actors are looked at as socialites more than thespians. They spend so much time looking good for the camera that the reason they got there in the first place becomes secondary.
I'm just venting because it's something that I see around me every day. It's weird to watch it happen. It is so easy to get sucked in to it all, but at the end of the day I want to be known for my ability to create life from words. Not for how I look or for a popularity contest. Whenever I wonder if I should be getting myself out there more? I think this: who do I admire? Do they sell themselves out? All of the "greats" say their words and go home. A lot of them need publicists but they are on a level that demands it, it's not being used to get them into a movie premiere or a frivolous party. That being said, I enjoy the occasional fun time with my peers like anyone else, but you start to realize it's work. And you realize you are selling a product; yourself. Also, there are certain things that even some of my favorite movie stars do because a bit of it IS part of the job. I just wish that maybe there wasn't that fine line of celebrity and someone who is taken seriously as an actor. The world loves celebrity and tries to turn every one of their beloved actors into one.
So I'm sure just like any other post, I'll have people who might find fault in what I've written. All I'm doing is shedding light on something I see every day. And before you ask, no I don't have a publicist and never have...
