Become a Star!

by Aimee Mitchell

Image of a star

Looking for fame and fortune? Here's how you can become a star in your own right.


Most of us know that we were meant to do something, or be someone. We all have a vocation. Some find that vocation and succeed in fulfilling their dreams. Others go down a different path but still enjoy their work. We all want to be successful in our goals. The difference is, those of us who want to act want to shine. That is, most actors want to be celebrities. However, being a 'star' is not quite as easy as we expect it to be. There aren't any celebrity training courses. And you can't apply to be a celebrity like you can apply for a job. Unfortunately, for many start - hopefuls, where to begin and how to continue sparkling is not always so clear. This piece was written to simply guide you and help you look at the reality behind becoming a star, and of course it should help you look at this in a different light, too.

When I speak to careers guidance counselors, it becomes clear that they see dreams like becoming a star are all pie in the sky - it's literally too hard to achieve, and the stars (or celebrities) that you see in the media only make up a very tiny fraction of the population. This is because it is difficult to have the talents necessary, or be in the right place at the right time, to be a major movie or TV star. However, this isn't to ensure that I put you off your dreams - exactly the opposite. I want to highlight just how you can become a star in your own right.

So maybe you're really happy doing a 'regular' job on a daily basis. If you like movies, consider working at a movie theater or at a local television station. If that's not enough, maybe you can consider moving to Hollywood or New York City to get a job as a Production Assistant on a feature film. Or, perhaps, you might even find a job as a celebrity assistant. These jobs are obtainable. They might not be your dream job but they can get your pretty close to the movie and celebrity scene. And that's pretty darn exciting for most humble people. Of course, if you have to become a star, and acting is what you want to do, then you can still maintain these day jobs and audition and rehearse in your spare time. Opportunities just won't come your way though, you seriously have to know the industry that you want to be a star in, then follow your nose.

This aside, you can be a successful actor / singer / dancer in the industry even without being a celebrity - you can be your own star, doing something you love and being in amongst people whom you love to be around. Think about it, you might become a dancer with the next big dance act - your name will probably never be as known to the world as a celeb, but you've got your foot in the door and the pay isn't bad either! You might play a small part in a Broadway show, you've made it and you are that star we were talking about earlier.

Look at it the other way - are you the person that wants to be successful but not a well-known star. The fame and the celebrity can knock a person down when they least expect it. Many popular celebrities have had their careers take a turn for the worst simply because of the celebrity status that continually follows them around. This celebrity status can take its toll on people and can easily cause career or even mental and physical breakdowns.

Quite sincerely, we're all looking at a huge industry. You need to read the above and ponder why you want to become a star, who you want to be, whether you want fame or fortune - or both?

Once you know who and what you want to become, dress well and give off good vibes. Be confident about the sights you have set upon. Dressing as who you want to be, rather than who you are, gives off a superb impression as some think of you as 'that kind of person' before you've even shown them any of your best bits of talent. Being confident about becoming that person, without having your head in the sand and being too arrogant about it ) putting some employers off before you've set that one foot in the door, will mean that this vibe is echoed throughout the office / company / industry - you never know who's watching...

See my next article in which I lay out just how you should know exactly where you want to be in this dog-eat-dog world.
Aimee Mitchell is an acting coach, short story author, community theater director and playwright. She has spent the better part of her adult life working with young actors and actresses.

Copyright © Aimee Mitchell. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author. Not to be reproduced or distributed.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

Reader Comments

For anyone who wants to become a “STAR” in the movies, in the record industry, the media, and especially in business...always read the contract 3 times with an impartial party with your own interests in mind and make sure nothing can be added to the beginning or the end of a SENTENCE that would put you in JEOPARDY!

So what do you give a person who has everything?...a choice and an opportunity to learn from one’s mistakes!

Posted by Bill (2021-04-27) 13416

I love acting

Posted by Londiwe emmaculate mthethwa (2014-07-08) 6908

hi im tiffany and i live in kentucky im 13 years old and i rilly wont to be a acter and singer i alway pretend im in front of a crode of people singing and getting my old scrips out and acting but i have a dream to follow not chase im following mine i beleve dreams can come true but you need a little boust on the way there plz this dream is eveything ive allways wonted. this in life seems like the thing i wont to do and i hope youll help me with my dream.if you help me ill work 100% awesome please ill work so hard for you im not like the rest of the kids im the kid tht need this in her life who hopes and belives she can do anything if she seats her mind to it and my mind is seat this is wht i wont to do plzz help me with my dream and ill help you make a show a star singer i hope you read this a think tht im a vary hard working girl who has a dream thx tiffany.

Posted by tiffany spillman (2011-06-14) 3375

I want to become An actress, a star. Around me people tell me to chase your dream and do what you want to in life, and don't let your self down. I want to become an actress and that is my dream, and i want to be able to chase it. I am 13 years old. In the 8th grade, and Im social, Caring, and Friendly. I want to be an actress, know what it's like, to be happy, and it's one of my dream and goal i want to achieve.

Posted by Vikktoria Mading (2011-01-28) 2851

i really really wish i can go on tv. well some people at my school call me names that really hurts my feelings. well bye.

Posted by skyler (2010-10-06) 2733

hi im riley and i need to make my dreems come true

Posted by riley (2010-06-16) 2592

My name is Dontez Royster telling you how I allway seen my self doing something in life and I'm sure this is it

Posted by Dontez Royster (2010-02-06) 2335

i would love to become an actress but i live in a very small town in southern california and go to any auditions because my parents wont let me im 11 years old and since i was 6 people have been telling me i am an extremely good actress and that i neeed to be on tv

Posted by azlyn (2010-01-10) 2297

hi my name is connstance im 16 years old i got and addsin not a day ago and got in but when i got ther they congragulaed me and i was so exsided but at the end of it they tloud me that it was 200$ and i denttet have 200$ dollers so i trid to find somone to spnoser me but it ditenet happen. becoming an acter is my dream but iv never been able to make it happen becauce i dont have enney money.

Posted by connstance (2009-09-01) 2038

The only reason that I NEED to act is just to learn and enjoy life. Preferably in a musical.

Posted by helen (2009-08-23) 1995

Hey Guys!I just wanna say acting and singing have been an amazing trip for ME so far,i love it!
Keep on rockin' guys!And gals!


~demi lovato

Posted by Demi Lovato (2009-06-09) 1562

I love acting and i really want to take my talent to new hights. I want to be reconized, maybe even be in a movie, (even though i'm 9...) i dont want to be in vain or anything, but i think i am a pretty talented girl. My motto is "you cant chase your dreams if you cant keep up," everyone should follow their heart. So i mean everyone when i say that everyone has talent (even they dont know what it is yet) i really want people to know me as an actress, not a plain old fourth grader. anyone who has some helpful suggestions i'd LOVE to hear from you.

Posted by Josie (2009-05-04) 1396

Atleast am sure am good ican make i just need to know any one willing to call me up

Posted by bill clements (2009-01-16) 880

In my experiances, being an actor is what i always wanted to do when i "grew up". But it's hard to do so growing up in such a small town, opposed to L.A. Yet i've always seemed to be able to let my personality and how i view myself speak for itself. I love to make people laugh and feel involved with everyone around, even complete strangers. I can honesly say that i will ever stop dreaming of starring in movies, it would be one of the most exiting times of my life. consequently when you grow old and sit down to discuss what matters most with your children or even grandchildren and they say "what makes you happy?" i'll tell them "lets push play and find out" Some of us are just geared towards entertaining others, and getting even one chance to show it could be a deciding factor as to what scale we are capable of doing so.

Posted by Micheal Jeffries (2008-10-21) 493

i want to become a actor bcus i luv actin i have talent im funny im the type of guy that every wants to hang out with becasue i can make any one laugh but not just that i can do alot more then just comedy i think that if u have a dream go head and go for it dont give up on ur dream beacuse it wil come true everyones got a dream and my dream is to be a actor i think it will be fun actin and i have wat it takes to do so

Posted by keith pettininchio (2008-09-23) 387

i need work in the movies or tv i am unemployed and broke in need of bsome work to help me out i am very low on food

Posted by virginia sartore (2008-08-22) 263

Post Your Comments

No HTML, links, emails, phone numbers, addresses, profanities, or all caps please. (Message Rules)