I hope everyone’s doing good. I’ve recently been thinking about the differences of living a normal life and living the dream of being in the entertainment industry. As a family oriented person, I hope I can one day settle down, get a house, raise a family, etc. But as a creative thinker; as a dreamer, I don’t know when I’d actually be able to say goodbye to the industry. Working with people like Puff made me really realize what I was getting myself into. On the outside, all I saw was the sold out arena tours, getting a chance to do what I love in the studio, and traveling the world… not to mention the girls, girls, and oh yeah the girls. When I started living it is when I realized the things you miss out on. I missed my best friend’s wedding where I was supposed to be the best man. I missed countless other family and friend functions, along with the regular everyday things and growing up. For me, my break came when I was 21 so I didn’t miss out on my high school years like a lot of other celebs you hear about that made it at an early age. However, I used to sing in groups throughout my teenage years and I was so focused and wrapped up in trying to make it that a part of me feels like I missed out on some of the normal parts of growing up that we take for granted. I never got to go away and dorm at a college. I never got to finish getting my degree. I never got to fully participate in sports in high school because I was all about my music.
Now here I am at 25 at a crossroad in my life. I have had an opportunity to look back and realize I don’t regret anything. I got to LIVE my dream. I go out now and get recognized wherever I go. Making The Band was the best experience and training that I could’ve gotten for this industry. It made me realize that it could all be here one day, and all be gone the next. I’ve met artists that have had huge hits on the radio and they are now fighting to get signed again. I’ve met artists that made it through all of the ups and downs. I wouldn’t have wanted my career to have gone any other way.
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It kept me humble and down to earth and keeps me appreciative of everything. I’ve learned what fame is made of and the things i’d have to give up to be successful. I’ve learned that it’s a struggle to earn your spot on the Billboard charts but even more of a struggle to stay there. I think it’s this that keeps any artist- from the smallest unsigned artist to the biggest best selling artists of all time- I think that’s what keeps us all coming back. It’s an addiction. It’s actually even more than that.
I’m sure everyone that deals with entertainment has gone through this: When things are going great it seems like everything is just fitting into place perfectly. Things are just flowing and everything seems like it’s meant to be. Then when things aren’t going so good you get to the point where you think about giving up. Then, just when you’re at the breaking point, ready to quit, something happens that makes you keep going. An opportunity presents itself that you can’t resist because this time might be it. It’s roullette. If you keep putting your chips on 23, it’s going to have to hit eventually right?
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