You may not know this about me, but I’m the biggest “The
Voice” fan. The weird thing about that is I have always liked obscure cultural
phenomenon years before anyone else knows about them. Then it blows up and I
get dismayed by the fact that what I used to think was cool is suddenly trendy.
Alas, I lose my uniqueness and move on. Well, that was when I was young and
egotistical. I get more humble and wise in my old age.
I came across “The Voice”
when there was nothing else to watch on T.V. and it just turned out to be the
number one show in America. I guess that means I have good taste for an artsy
fartsy bohemian. This contradicts me always identifying with obscure pop
culture but I like what I like.
The
truth is, underneath my brooding, philosophical side is a quirky chick that
enjoys life. I love music and am in awe of the talent of that show. I thought
of taking voice lessons just so I can compete on “The Voice” and work with the
most brilliant musical artists of our time. The show is remarkably uplifting
and the coaches are not judges but mentors that always encourage their team to
have faith in their abilities and follow their dreams. It makes me feel warm
and fuzzy inside, and these days, I really need that.
One of
the lessons I have taken from watching the voice is a constant validation of
something I learned years ago, when I was a young acting student in New York. I
was in a scene study class and performed a two person scene from the play, “Angels
in America” where I played a bum. My teacher gave us some great direction.
Later on, we had to perform for the acting director. His note to me was that I
had bad posture. Later on, as I got to know the man, I realize that he believed
that posture is the most important mark of a great actor. However, I made a
creative choice to not use great posture because I was playing a homeless
person who was used to being hunched over her can of stale soup.
I asked
my teacher why he hadn’t given me this note. After all, if he said it, I would
have a chance to improve upon it and receive a better grade from the acting
director. My teacher was very politically correct about his answer. He simply
told me that “art is an opinion.” This was his way of saying that he liked my
choice to use bad posture but he didn’t want to contradict his superior.
The
truth can be painful at first, but eventually, it sets you free. You can do
everything in your power to perfect your painting, music, acting, writing etc.
but in the end, it all boils down to someone’s opinion. In the end, it all
boils down to whether or not your audience agreed with the choices you make.
This
brings me back to the voice. The other night Shakira coached a singer to yodel
as often as she could because it was her signature sound (and Shakira’s too)
and it would make her stand out among the rest. At the end of her performance
Blake Sheldon told her she overdid the yodeling and Usher argued that he was
about to compliment her on it--two extremely divergent view points coming from
two very respected artists in the field of music.
Over and
over again, I watch the coaches disagree with the choices the artists make or
whether or not this artist deserves to stay on the show compared to another one.
I am constantly reminded that success is a game of chance. One person can wow
all four judges with a mind blowing audition, and then sing a song that isn’t
good enough to keep them on the show a week later. I know what that’s like. I’ve
been there.
And I
guess it boils down to that. I can relate to the voice because my whole life
has been a struggle with my own art. I come to terms with this fact when, after
receiving some glowing reviews of my book, someone comes along to bash it
because she just didn’t like the lead character.
My son
has a very prejudiced loathing towards Justin Beiber. I’m pretty sure it’s
because he’s dating the lovely Selena Gomez who my son just adores to pieces,
but that’s beside the point. For everyone that hates Justin Beiber, he has
millions of adoring fans.
Anne Rice, one of the
greatest and most respected vampire authors, had a ton of glowing reviews for
her recent book. But I couldn’t help noticing the one star reviewers who were
probably disappointed that she wrote about werewolves instead of vampires.
Our relationship with our
entertainers is a love story that involves chemistry. I can’t exactly say why I
think John Cusack is such a great actor while Tom Cruise, who is even more
famous, gives me the creeps and does nothing for me acting wise. It’s just the
way it is. I’m just not attracted to Tom the way I am to John but there are
plenty of women who would gladly take their clothes of for Tom Cruise.
It’s all
still worth it to have one or just a few people love you because to them, you
have awoken something in them and this is a special relationship to have with
your fans. It’s chemistry. They relate to you and because of this, someone out
there is a little less lonely.
So don’t
be afraid to tell your story. Stories are wonderful. They help people connect
with each other and bring the world together. And if someone breaks your heart
by leaving you a bad review or a heartbreaking critique after all your hard
work, remember this story:
A young
man auditioned to be on “The Voice” and did not make the auditions. He took the
notes the coaches gave him and practiced every day. This season, Shakira became
a coach for the first time. She was the only one to turn her chair around and
give this teen a second chance. If she had not been on the show, he would not
have had this chance. Thank God Shakira had an opinion that contradicted the
others. No one thought he would make it past the battle rounds but he surprised
everyone and he is still on the show. Often, life is just a turn of a coin. You
meet the right person at the right time and chemistry happens. Don’t give up if
it doesn’t happen right away. Commit to your choices. They are what make you
who you are.
