Do you have what it takes to be a V.I.P.?
A u t h e n t i c i t y
See various effects of perceived authenticity under #FREEKESHA
“When our early needs are not fulfilled, and still remain unmourned by us, we may not feel safe enough to show our authentic choices, characteristics, attributes, and feelings, since we might thereby lose approval. This creates a false self. Yet only a true self can establish and maintain a healthy intimate relationship, and a healthy self-image.” (Rich 1999)
"Immediately upon entering the sphere of fame, relationship to “self” and “other” are profoundly affected. The public wants a piece of them, to touch them, to get an autograph, to have their picture taken with the star. All the while hearing one’s name screamed out, the famous person feels as if he or she is not even there. Participants find themselves at a loss when members of the public can “hardly
contain themselves” at the sight of them, and “make you larger than life.” It is lonely at the top for persons who find themselves alone and isolated on an island of recognition, where there is a loneliness that happens because you are separate."
(Rockwell and Giles 2004)
Some child stars are able to leave the industry to shed the persona and to live authentically. Heather Ripley moved to Ireland to avoid attention after her role in Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang (Evans & Wilson, 1999, p. 86). The Hollywood experience, however, was not void of consequences. Ripley discusses her subjective consequences and forewarns up-and-coming artists:
The stress of the whole ordeal traumatized me so much that I have Attention Deficit Disorder, which I didn’t have before the film. I can’t hold down a job or keep relationships together. I have very poor organizational skills. I suffer from mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, stress, depression, alcoholism, and I have been through a couple of periods of drug addiction. My parent’s divorce was doubly difficult for me as it was partly caused by them being separated for 14 months during the filming, which I internalized a lot of blame for. Subsequently, I was effectively alienated from my entire family with the exception of my father and grandmother. I have only recently got grips with most of my problems after six years counseling at the Findhorn Foundation, and have re-established a good relationship with my mother, who did not speak to me for 10 years. Kids should absolutely not be encouraged by their parents to seek fame at an early age. Fame, in itself, has little benefit and many disadvantages. I think that if I had continued as an actress—though I am a damn good actress—I would be dead or insane. (as cited in Evans & Wilson, 1999, pp. 87–88)
Concerns of authenticity and mistrust may arise, followed by suspicious thoughts about the intentions of the people surrounding them (i.e., interested in the celebrity and fame status or me). Smalley and McIntosh (2011) identify the inquiry of authenticity and the irony of the loss of personal space that follows celebrity and fame:
"An ironic twist to the loss of privacy that celebrities suffer is the difficulty it causes in making new true friends. Celebrities constantly meet new people: fans, other celebrities, reporters, and so forth. In meeting so many people, it is difficult for celebrities to determine genuineness. Their fame makes it hard to discern who is actually interested in the celebrity as an individual, and who just wants to hobnob with the famous." (p. 387)
Weighted thoughts such as the previous example naturally enable protective defense mechanisms such as distancing.
"The shadow of childhood is in the neglect and abuse we suffer at the hands of our parents, and the secrecy that surrounds it. Every trauma of early life becomes a drama in adult relationships unless it is mourned and healed. This drama is the deepest shadow of adult intimacy. We repeat our past, and do not even realize we are doing it… When our early needs are not fulfilled, and still remain unmourned by us, we may not feel safe enough to show our authentic choices, characteristics, attributes, and feelings, since we might thereby lose approval. This creates a false self. Yet only a true self can establish and maintain a healthy intimate relationship, and a healthy self-image." (Richo 1999).