so my third grader announced suddenly and decisively to me that she wanted more than anything to be famous. after years of witnessing the ascendancy of child stars via Disney channel and other family movies and entertainment, she’s begun to seriously ponder what exactly separates her from the glamorous lives she imagines of the stars she idolizes.
10 year old Madison Pettis is her new obsession. after being introduced to her through her role as the President’s daughter on the Disney Channel Series Cory In The House, my third grader is completely entranced by the young starlet’s performance in the movie The Game Plan. after watching the movie recently, i noticed that my daughter appeared sullen and pensive. when i asked her what was wrong, she confided that she was jealous of Madison.
“Daddy, how come we’re not famous?” she asked me. “I wish i was Madison Pettis,” she continued. “She’s so pretty and talented. I have a lot of questions I’d like to ask her about her life. How did she become famous?”
“Well, sweetie, you know she’s an actress and she’s probably been acting since she was very small,” I began. “Acting is hard work. She spends a lot of time learning and rehearsing her lines as well as trying out for roles that she may not get,” I went on.
“Well how come we’re not famous?” she insisted.
I thought carefully before i answered. Heck i wanna be famous too! Always have. But I’ve never been photogenic or talented enough, like the overwhelming majority of us. And I also suffer from a paralyzing lack of self-confidence. But she’s only 9…I’m supposed to fill her with hope right?? God knows i don’t wanna pass my lack of self-confidence on to her. How to respond? Let’s see…
“You know, sometimes child stardom really isn’t as glamorous as it seems, mommy,” I offered. “Many child stars end up lonely or using drugs or other miserable things as they grow into adulthood.”
“Like who?” she demanded.
“Well…” i stammered, trying to remember. “Lindsay Lohan. She was a child star and has had a hard time with drugs as an adult.” i returned.
“Lindsay Lohan does drugs??!!” she asked incredulously.
So much for encouraging her huh? Well, her self-esteem has always been pretty solid so the last thing i need to do is connect her temporary and completely normal envy with my own failings. Why not let her keep celebrity crushing: she’s begun an internet diary and scrapbook of clippings about Madison. that should hold her for now right?
