WANTS TO BE A MOVIE STAR

Dear Jellybean,

I have a problem that I could use your help with. You are going to think this is really crazy, but to me it isn't. I want to be a movie star. I want to be a celebrity. I want to live in Hollywood and make movies. How do I do this? I live on a 7 mile island that most people have never heard of. I want to get out there and be in a movie. I want to be another Nicole Kidman. What do I do?? Please help me!!!

Dear Writer,

Hey, your dream is not unusual! All over the world, girls fantasize about being a celebrity and having a life of luxury and fame. But before you take any steps toward your dream, figure out whether what you want is to be a great actress, or to be rich and famous. Because while a few lucky people can have both, they are really quite different goals.

Being a great actress (like Nicole Kidman) takes a ton of training, practice and experience. If your island has a theater company, get yourself over there and ask if you can audition for a role in one of their productions. Nobody might have heard of the island, but that's almost good when you're a beginner - nobody has to see your first attempts at acting, which might not be so brilliant! You will get practice and learn the craft of acting, and gain skills that you can take anywhere in the world. If your island doesn't have a theater group, start one! Talk to every single person you know or meet, and ask them if they have any interest or experience in theater and putting on plays. Get your folks or some like-minded friends to pull things together, choose a play that inspires you with a part that you love, and get started! Don't worry that there's no Hollywood agent to "discover" you where you live. Just throw yourself into the acting life, whenever you have spare time outside of school and other responsibilities, and you will soon find out if it's really the life you want. Then later, when you go away to school or work, you can pursue your goal of being a movie star with the knowledge that you have talent and experience at acting.

The acting life does not guarantee wealth or fame. There are thousands of highly talented actors around the globe, who just manage to make a living doing theater, film and TV projects, and many more who have to support their love of doing acting with other jobs (like waiting tables or working in an office). So if it's fame and fortune you are after, you should know that acting is not actually the best way to achieve those.

Want to be rich and famous? Become a businesswoman! Study really hard in school, take any business courses available to you, intern or work part-time at local businesses and stores, and even start your own entrepreneurial projects. You are much more likely to earn tons of moolah in the future if you have a good head for business and finance. In fact, even if you do end up becoming a famous Hollywood star someday, knowing how to manage your career as a business can make the difference between being a one-shot wonder, and having a long-lasting career.

I hope this helps you to think about what it is you really want, and inspires you to take the steps to get there.