No business in show business

A lot of people seek careers in show biz, thinking they belong there. I can't honestly tell you what is truly in your heart, suffice to say our current culture puts emphasis on fame and popularity over talent and intelligence. Sure, we have people who are famous for nothing other than literally sucking cock on camera but those really are few and far between. If you don't have mammoth emotional and mental strength, it's doubtful you can survive show business, even on a community level.

Believe it or not, the arts are FULL of bullies. I sometimes wonder if it's because artists are the ones who often get ganged up on in childhood and we seem to seek some sort of retribution in adulthood. This is not to say that everyone in the arts is a bully or an arse, but if you think show biz is this open, accepting place full of outsiders that will welcome you with open arms, you've got another thing coming. Certain groups and circles of the arts might be that way (luckily MOST of my community is), but as a whole, a LOT of folks in the arts make the absolute worst childhood bully look like Tinkerbell.

Dave Chapelle explained it best on "Inside the Actor's Studio (fast forward to 2:12)."



Exactly. Something is WRONG with Hollywood. You have strong, smart, amazing folks being torn to shreds all the time by LA LA Land.

No, I'm not some celebrity with some kind of authority, but I have been performing on and off since I was four years old. Before venturing into show business, you really have to make sure you know who you are. I think a big part of the 10 year hiatus I took had to deal with that. I'm not in full bloom yet, but I see the work ahead of me. It's scary, but I'm going forward anyway, which is what REAL bravery is. Bravery doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you're scared as hell, but you go on anyway.

If you're not ready, willing and able to make a 100% complete ASS of yourself in front of millions and be seen at your absolute most vulnerable, embarrassing moments by millions, you've got no business in show business. That kind of strength of character is very difficult to achieve.

No, I don't intend to discourage ANYONE from following their dreams. Rather, I intend to encourage everyone to really get to know her/himself. Talk to yourself a lot...constantly. Some people might call that praying, I call it what it really is. Sounds crazy, but it's the best way to know yourself. Besides, with all the hands free mobile devices out there, no one will suspect a thing. Cry when you need to. Laugh when you need to. Scream when you need to. Know yourself inside and out, which is good advice even outside of show biz.

Most important of all: STAY AWAY FROM VICES! Illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, comfort foods, bulimia, laxatives, prostitutes, cigarettes, etc. Those things are for people who can't survive their pain. If you have to rely on that crap now, what are you going to rely on at rock bottom? All you need to survive is what's in your heart, you just have to prepare that heart to be strong and elastic.