Is It Me?

[trixxy]

I don't understand how so many celebrities can be so incredibly talented in so many different areas. They are actors, models, musicians. Why is it? Are they just gifted? Are they driven by their determination? I look at myself and see nothing. Many of them are very young, much younger then myself. I can't help but feel jealous and depressed.

[YourHumbleNarrator]

They don't have anything that's unattainable for the rest of us.

One thing to keep in mind: what you think of as separate talents are actually related. It's not to say that a good singer is guaranteed to be a good actor, or that a model will have a knack for fashion design, but for people who are multi-talented there are common elements to each thing they do which makes it far easier to train another talent once they've mastered one. A common trait between good actors and good singers is the ability to emote. A common trait between a model and a fashion designer is aesthetic sense-an intuitive knowledge of what's beautiful.

Intuition is a common element to all arts. You'll never find a good actor that takes a purely scientific approach to their craft.

This is oversimplifying things a bit, but I'd say it all boils down to intuition, practice, and motivation (because without strong motivation dedication to anything is impossible). Natural talent plays a part but it's a small advantage in the bigger scheme of things.

[Indiana]

Originally Posted by trixxy

I don't understand how so many celebrities can be so incredibly talented in so many different areas. They are actors, models, musicians. Why is it? Are they just gifted? Are they driven by their determination? I look at myself and see nothing. Many of them are very young, much younger then myself. I can't help but feel jealous and depressed.

Who are you thinking of? Being good-looking (models) is not a talent. Most super-famous young musicians don't write their own music, and most serious actors aren't musicians.

[YourHumbleNarrator]

Originally Posted by Indiana

Being good-looking (models) is not a talent.

Though I've much disdain for the fashion world, I would point out that modeling requires more than simply looking good. It requires a certain flair. It's kind of like how some people you meet in life just have an aura around them that draws your attention. Its indescribable yet its intrinsic to who they are. A dress may look beautiful no matter who wears it but there are some women who combine their natural aura with its beauty and make it seem much more desirable. Those women have talent.

Or fantastic tits. Take your pick.

[CroMagna]

There are very few celebrities in the world. That's why you consistently see the same people in movies, especially black movies. The vast majority of people aren't celebrities. The vast majority of people don't have internet access. The vast majority of people are illiterate.

They're not actually multitalented. They just pursue one craft and once they have the money, connections, and exposure, then they can pursue something they're not particularly good at but that they have the opportunity to break into. So you have Michael Jordan trying his hand at professional baseball and flopping. He would never have gotten that far in the other field without his celebrity status. They're great at one thing but just so-so at another. Jennifer Lopez is a great dancer but not a great singer. P Diddy makes crappy clothes. Hillary Duff is a great actress but an ok singer. Master P is a good rapper but a mediocre basketball player.

There are millions of starving children in the world, why not focus on them? Whatever you focus on becomes harder to take your focus away from. Instead of watching E!, watch the news and learn about what's happening to the global poor, who represent most people in the world.

Most people would rather not become celebrities because you become famous. Your private life becomes public. Remember what people kept saying about Paris Hilton. Wanna switch places with Michael Jackson? Their human right to privacy is violated. If you're gay, the whole world will know before you're prepared to tell them. Those younger ones had to go through puberty with the entire world watching and commenting. If you gain weight or repeat comfy clothes, you'll end up in a tabloid. You can't go anywhere without having pictures taken, either by paparazzi or fans. And if you decide to retire you become a "washed up hasbeen".

[Indiana]

Originally Posted by YourHumbleNarrator

Though I've much disdain for the fashion world, I would point out that modeling requires more than simply looking good. It requires a certain flair. It's kind of like how some people you meet in life just have an aura around them that draws your attention. Its indescribable yet its intrinsic to who they are. A dress may look beautiful no matter who wears it but there are some women who combine their natural aura with its beauty and make it seem much more desirable. Those women have talent.

Or fantastic tits. Take your pick.

Actually, I am heavily involved in the fashion industry (which I do not hold in disdain).

The truth is, most models are models because they've been genetically blessed with the right bone structure, body shape, and height, and are the right age for it.

A model with the perfect combination of physical assets and personality can literally go from complete unknown/totally inexperienced to top-tier in less than six months. Staying at the top from there takes some work, and usually a special charm - again this tends to be intrinsic, not because they've studied anything - but as much as I reject the idea that models are usually dumb, they certainly do not need a vast catalogue of skills to be able to do their job well.

Most people, with enough determination, can learn a skill - an instrument, languages, craft, technical ability, a sport - to a degree that they can achieve success in their chosen field. But it takes work. On the other hand, you are either born with everything you need to be a supermodel... or not. It's not something people should/can aspire to or admire as a reflection of talent.

[YourHumbleNarrator]

Originally Posted by Indiana

Most people, with enough determination, can learn a skill - an instrument, languages, craft, technical ability, a sport - to a degree that they can achieve success in their chosen field. But it takes work. On the other hand, you are either born with everything you need to be a supermodel... or not. It's not something people should/can aspire to or admire as a reflection of talent.

Perhaps, but not everyone who actually has the potential to be a supermodel looks like they do right from day one, and that charm you're talking about is something anybody can develop. Personality traits can be altered by anyone willing to delve within and learn the workings of their own psychology, assuming they're both patient and persistent. Perhaps there's no denying the genetic factor, but there's also no denying that some fat girls have the potential to be supermodels and they're only gonna be able to pull it off if they develop the discipline to drop the extra weight.