'As soon as anyone starts telling you to be ‘realistic’, cross that person off your invitation list'.
Stefani Germanotta writes great songs, she also sings well and her music videos are very good too. Stefani is also wisely aware that in an extremely competitive music industry that something else is needed to give her an edge over other singers of equal ability. This is where image comes into play. Stefani has created a ‘look’ unique to anything ever seen before and fuses it with a somewhat fabricated personality for the public and media to feast on. Her image is outrageous enough to carry her status as a singer way above other singers propelling her into the stratosphere in terms of record sales and celebrity status. Stefani’s stage name is Lady Gaga – You get the picture?
Stefani is an ordinary person that dresses in ordinary clothes and has ordinary friends. It is her alter-ego that is the superstar, the image she presents to the world. Learning to adapt and tailor your perceived image to the audience you are targeting is a learned skill that will cement your existence in Fameville. If you are posting out prank videos then a ‘colourful’ outgoing and ‘wacky’ personality may compliment your stunts. Its all well and good just being yourself but an image can go a long way making you stand out amongst the crowd. Invent your own stage name. This costs nothing and can either be a small alteration to your real name or something much more elaborate depending on the genre of fame that you are pursuing. Most celebrities have stage names so spend the time to invent one that suits your personality. Most stage names are so ‘normal’ that you would think that they are the celebrities’ real like the following.
Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez)
Katy Perry (Kathryn Hudson)
Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson)
Miley Cyrus (Destiny Hope Cyrus)
Vin Diesel (Mark Sinclair Vincent)
Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight)
Stay grounded
You cannot change what you are, only what you do. Some things in like are just annoying – like wasps and politicians, but nothing tops the arrogance and self importance that seems to flood out in some people just because they are ‘known’ on TV or online. Springing to mind is the annual procession of self deluded plastic wannabes that strut onto various reality TV shows exclaiming how fabulous and ‘better’ they are compared to their fellow contestants. Do these people not hear the ‘boos’ and bad vibes from the crowds. I would rather swim with sharks than meet these people. On TV shows where you win by popularity, it’s a real dumb move to act in a way that will turn the public off.
Do not confuse arrogance with confidence. It’s good to have confidence and a great belief in your abilities to succeed but keep thoughts of grandeur to yourself. Be humble. Yes, go ahead and build a great image and even manufacture a unique personality around it but remember this – the only time you should look down on someone is when you’re helping them get up. Don’t believe your own hype. Be nice
Be realistic
After watching The X Factor for many years, it simply beggars belief the way some contestants think they can sing. After the standard backstory of ‘Maggie from Tescos’ and her dream of becoming a worldwide star, we are then witness to a display of ‘singing’ that even deaf people refuse to lip read! Then to add shock to surprise, the contestants cry, scream and freak out when they get a big no from the judges. I think it has a lot to do with the parents heaping unwarranted and misguided praise on their children as they grow up but without providing any real criticism resulting in absolute self delusion. As ‘Maggie’ grows up, her parents, uncles, aunts, friends and teachers all tell her she’s amazing and ‘Maggie’ believes her own hype only to get an accurate, realistic and unexpected reality check when in front of an unforgiving crowd and harsh judges.
These self deluded wannabes do make for fantastic viewing though. It’s painful to watch the cringe-worthy performances especially in a live show as we know what’s to come. I would at this point advice you to take a good hard look at yourself but if you are already a deluded wannabe then you’ll take no notice of me as you wont have recognized your failings and will refuse to do so but hey, you’re gonna make great TV! There is however a flip side to Maggies scenario. Many people have become famous for having a talent so bad that it’s good, if that makes sense. This fame path usually materializes when a contestant has a great personality that resonates with the audience and wider public. Many celebs have been created in this way, mainly not continuing with the talent that made them famous but instead branching off into other areas such as TV presenting and reality shows.
