Do What You Love

I think it's time to blog again...  

I grew up in the modeling and talent industry.  Both my parents were models and they actually met at a modeling job... True story.  In fact, the year I was born my mother started her own school and agency, Advantage Models & Talent in Franklin, TN, that has been nationally recognized throughout the years.  Advantage booked Miley Cyrus in her first film, Big Fish, and has had two vogue cover models among many other talent success stories.  

Needless to say, growing up in my family required modeling and acting classes as well as track practice... 

Following in my mother's footsteps, I have modeled, acted, taught, been a makeup artist, casting director and agent.  Currently, I still audition potential talent and I had an audition recently that made me laugh and think, so I  thought I'd share it with you!

A cute, little eleven year old girl came into my audition room with her family and friends.  She wore glasses, dressed cute and stared at the floor and anywhere but myself and the other scout.  The other scout and I like to make these auditions as fun as possible.  I know how intimidating interviews and auditions are.  So we are smiling, compliment her and the first thing my co auditioner asked her was a simple: "Why are you here today? Why acting?"

The girl fumbled around, looking at the ground before she spoke thoughtfully, "Well, I was thinking about what I wanted to do when I grow up. At first I wanted to be a doctor, but that's a lot of work. So I then decided I would be a dancer, but I kept falling down. Now I think I want to be an actor, because that's easy."

Not the best first impression.  Of course the rest of her audition did not go any better either.  

The entertainment industry is very competitive and it is very hard to book jobs and earn a living, especially when performers are not one hundred percent sold out that this is what they are called and made to do.  Nothing worth having is easy.  So many very talented people give up before they ever "make it," but that's a blog for another time...

After the girl was finished with her audition, I told her if she really wanted to pursue dance and acting then she would need classes and training to improve her skills.  But I also told her very clearly that if her heart is to be a doctor, then not to waste any time on this.  Life is too short not to do what you love and are passionate about no matter how "hard" the work may be.

One of my best pieces of advice I ever received was this: "Do what you love and do it with all your heart." 

Blessings!