The other night hubby and I went on a date. Had a lovely meal and then we went to see The Lucky One —a movie neither of us knew anything about. The movie started and I turned to my hubby and said, “Gee that guy looks familiar.” He laughed and told me that’s Zac Efron. I did a double-take, because with four children I have sat through hours of Zac dancing and singing, enough to make me cringe. Here’s what my mind was thinking: oh my god I’m lusting after Zac, which makes me feel slightly icky and two, I’m so glad I didn’t know Zac was in this movie because I wouldn’t have wanted to see it and the movie rocks.
And this got me thinking how hard it must be for young movie actors and singers who seem to blaze straight into the spotlight at that pre-teen age and then viola turn into adults. Their bodies are changing, and their voices are changing which is all normal. That transformation from teen to adulthood is so frustrating for non-celebs, I can’t even begin to imagine how it feels for celebs when a zillion people are watching your every move.
Take Justin Bieber, my Canadian singing hero, and yes, I’m a huge fan of his Never say Never movie because I totally get his message. But lots of people are saying since Justin went through puberty his voice has changed and that’s why he isn’t singing. Well, what did they expect? Of course his voice has changed, but unlike lots I have faith that no matter what Justin will be the one to come out on top.
Much like my young adult characters in my nitty gritty books my characters grow. Some, like Jay in my Off Leash book have to learn to believe in themselves. Others like Megan and Lindsey in Off Limits have to learn to have faith in a true friend. And, Eje in Off Stroke, which debuts next month on Amazon, has to allow himself room to grow into his man shoes and take control when others won’t.
All my characters take a journey and that’s what life is about. So, I’m okay with the fact that I fell in lust for over an hour with Zac in The Lucky One—it was a delightful sensual romantic movie which surprised me. I’m going to be much more open-minded now about movies featuring young stars. After all they age like the rest of us.
Are we, as fans, too hard on young teenage stars? Do we set unrealistic expectations that they will remain the same forever? Seriously, that would only be true if Zac and Justin were vampires and I’m fairly certain they’re not.
