Topic : 03/01 Sudden Fame

And how many stories do you hear of child stars who either hate their parents for pushing them into a world they were not prepared to deal with?  And those who say the same parents or relatives took advantage of them and/or the money they earned?  Gary Coleman, remember him?

Parents should support their children, it's true.  But they also need to consider their children best interests.  Give them a happy, well adjusted childhood, teach them good values, stress the importance of a good education. Give them opportunities to experience a wide range of choices so that the child can decide what they really want to do.

When a mother like Priscilla constantly tries to give her daughter everything she wants, she really not doing her any favors.  Already that kid must believe that her needs come ahead of those of her brothers or sisters.  And Priscilla keeps reinforcing that the girl is special, not everyone else in the world is going to agree or treat her that way.  This girl  and her mother needs a reality check; she's not that talented and headed for a great deal of disaapointment if they keep heading down this road. 

The best thing Priscilla can do is give all of her children love and balance in their lives. 

Personally, I can't stand "American Idol".  It's great if you're one of the ones that _can_ sing, but I think it's mean that they obviously keep some people in the running so they can show the world just how badly they _cannot_ sing.  I don't know why anyone would want to watch someone else being humiliated like that for entertainment.  Constructive criticism in a businesslike manner is one thing; insulting and demeaning someone is juvenile.

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That said, I don't want to be famous and even if I did, it wouldn't be for singing (well, not for singing well, at least), but I wouldn't let a knock-down by Simon Cowell stop me if  I did.  "American Idol" is looking for pop stars--they pretty much want a specific look, sound, and style (if Taylor Hicks' gray hair was enough to make him controversial, you know how narrow the focus is on type).  There are lots of excellent singing stars--people who have made it--who wouldn't last ten seconds on American Idol for whatever reason--they don't have classically beautiful features, voices, or stage demeanors.  Not only do I think that's OK, I think it's GREAT.  Imagine how boring music would be if everyone sounded alike.

So, to the girl who tried out on American Idol--good for you.  I wouldn't have had the nerve or the ability even to _think_ of doing that.  So what if you had a bad day or he didn't like you?  Keep working and find your niche.  (Look, it got you on Dr. Phil, right?  That's publicity.)

People, give the girl a break.  Just because she doesn't have any "real pain", as you seem to consider it, in her life right now doesn't mean she won't tomorrow, or that she hasn't in the past, or anything else.  You don't know her life story, and it's none of your business.  Apart from the fact that she was probably nervous about being on the show, she is allowed to feel disappointed, embarrassed, and shaken.  She seemed to perk up a bit at the end and she'll have it back in perspective soon enough.  Cut her some slack.  People react differently.  If it had been me, I would have been humiliated inwardly but stone cold on the outside; you would think I didn't care at all.  It's just the way I am.

Frankly, I don't even know why it's necessary to bring up things like this except to kick her while she's down; this is clearly in a much different league and has nothing at all to do with the relatively minor "tragedy" of missing her shot on _Idol_.  If you want to post something so bitter, at least pick a more appropriate comparison like yesterday's show, to be fair.  Everyone is going to lose someone at some point so the fact that it hasn't happened YET doesn't mean it never will.  It will.  We'll all be in this position sooner than we want.  What are YOU doing to heal your pain, other than mocking others' disappointments? 

I wouldn't say that all parents are pushy but, I know, for a fact that some are. My mother wasn't one of them, but I went to one of Australia's top acting schools for children, when I was in my teens. (not teenager now lol).

When people think, pushy parents, they think of acting, singing and dancing etc., etc.. What about Martina Hingis????What about those kids are given 2 options, "when you grow up you have to be a doctor or a lawyer"? What about those kids who are made to feel bad, because they're not good at maths? 

Whatever, career a parent is pushing there kids into, it all comes down to the parents self esteem isssues, and how they felt about themselves growing up.

If a child genuinely has talent (and I've seen alot that don't), and the parents agree to let them pursue that path, then give them the run down on the hours they'd have to work, the pressure and expectations. Let them start small. If they still want to do it, then let them (within reason- don't tell them that they will be better people for it). Don't treat your kids like a new Mercedes, just purchased for "show off" value. Don't think it will be a problem solver either.

If your kids don't have talent and you're pushing them for your own ego's sake, then they will end up hating you. If you don't like them for who they are, they will resent you.

We weren't all made to be rocket scientists, pop stars or movie stars (or doctors and lawyers).  Encourage your kids to be, who they are meant to be and your relationship will be worth more than gold.

If they're not exceptional at school, but they're good at manual stuff, don't forget tradespeople. They earn good money and something always needs to be built or unblocked. I haven't met a poor plumber/ electrician.

By they way.........no I didn't pursue an acting career, I'm a qualified Medical Laboratory assistant, which was my choosing. My current job, is stay-at-home mum which I love to bits........it's the best job, I've ever had. Though, I tested as having an IQ in the 99th percentile lol.

I WATCH AMERICAN IDOL I WON'T TRYOUT FOR THE SHOW BECAUSE I'M NOT A GOOD SINGER I JUST WATCH FOR FUN:)

I wasn't going off on you.  And you didn't hurt my feelings, rudness never does.

I was simply stating that you cannot say that Randy and Simon can't recognize talent based on your opinion.  You're correct, starting a record company doesn't mean you know talent.  Starting  a record company that is eventually worth $84 million dollars probably does.

I don't like pop music which is what this show is based on.  So, I, too, dislike the kind of musicians they are lookning for, but I wouldn't  disparage some one based on my opinion.  For instance, I HATE, hate, hate country music.  BUT I would never say that the millions of people who listen to country music are stupid and don't know talent.  I just say they have different taste from mine.

 Are you saying that any artist or musican that you don't like isn't talented?   You are the arbiter of talent?  Instead of saying that they don't know anything, wouldn't it have been better to say you don't agree with them?  I hate the way the anonymity of these message boards allows people to be nasty, don't you?

There is nothing ignobe, in and of itself,  about making money.

Much of A.I.  is about sideshow freaks. Freaks have replaced clowns in the circus of the media.  But these are voluntary freaks, who stood in line for hours for the chance to be freaks. Often they stood in line in the wind and rain and snow or drove great distances for the chance to be freaks.  I don't feel sorry for them. 

I only watch American Idol during the auditioning process.  If this were the 100s and we were in Rome, I would be part of the crowd at the coliseum.  I don't think that makes me a sucker, I think it makes me human. 

I don't like Pop music.  They are looking for Pop musicians, so I don't watch past the point they weed out the freaks.    However, many of the finalists have gone on to various measures of success, so the show is doing some musicians some good.  I believe it gives people a chance they might not have had before.