Struggle to Stardom-The Power of a Dream (Part II)
Posted on February 18, 2009
Filed Under East meets West, Guest Columnist | Leave a Comment
By Susan L Stackpole. Susan talked about the dream of a commoner which can turn into reality and lead you to unprecedented success with a zeal and vigour, the stuff that winners and champions are made up of. A highly inspiring article, this is just a continuation and conclusion of the previous article. (read the Ist part here http://www.indiantvtoday.com/the-power-of-a-dream/2009/02/16/ ),Â
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, who later became Katie Perry,  is known for her breakout hit, “I Kissed a Girlâ€.  Perry began her musical career in Christian music and worked her way up to be one of the top selling pop/rock artists today. 
 Perry has openly spoken about being dropped from record labels early in her career, even quoting one executive as telling her she should give up hear dreams of succeeding in the music business.  Perry’s determination to push ahead eventually enabled her to capture the attention of Jason Flom, head of Capitol Music Group.  Perry has since gone on to write hit songs with Glen Ballard and performed her hit single, “I Kissed a Girl†at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
 Jewel Kilcher, known by her fans simply as Jewel, has sold over twenty-seven million albums worldwide. 
Jewel grew up performing, though her songwriting career really began with her penning songs while living in her van.  Jewel reflected on her humble beginnings and the start of her recording career, saying, “A bunch of limos started coming down and I’d get flown off to New York,  I’d be eating carrot sticks and peanut butter in my van, then fly off to New York and have these huge dinners, and then be plopped back in my pumpkin bus.”  Jewel went on to win three Grammy Award nominations, and her first country record, “Perfectly Clearâ€Â debuted at #1 on U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart.Â
Jessica Ann Simpson has earned seven Billboard Top 40 hits and three gold and two RIAA certified multi-platinum albums. 
 Young Simpson wasn’t always so fortunate and was devastated when she lost a winning role in Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, which caused her to seriously consider giving up music completely. Her last ditch effort included an audition for Tommy Mottola, Sony Entertainment, which finally landed her with a substantial record deal and skyrocketed her to stardom.  Simpson, recently made the crossover to country music with her album, Do You Know, and is currently opening for Rascal Flatts on tour.Â
Grammy Award winner Duff released Rockferry in March 2008 and sold over four million copies worldwide.  Duffy’s journey to the top has been bumpy at best.  Duffy was put into a safe house at thirteen when her stepfather’s ex-wife had threatened to kill him. 
 Duffy felt she was being used by other musicians for their own gain, causing her to become quite withdrawn as a singer and contemplate quitting music altogether.  She said that her experience caused her to decide to make music simply for her own pleasure. Duffy was still working as a waitress when she began recording again.  “Mercyâ€, Duffy’s second single made her the first Welsh female to achieve a number one pop single the past twenty-five years.Â
Media would sometimes have us mistakenly believe that celebrities have had fame and fortune handed to them; however, the rich and famous have struggled and worked hard for the realization of their dreams, believing in those dreams even when they seemed impossible.  Those who have made it stand as an example that anything is possible when fueled with passion and perseverance.  Dreams stretch the dreamer to grow into something bigger, and successful celebrities prove that faith and perseverance can shed golden, even Grammy, light on the darkest of circumstances, making anything possible. Celine Dion’s, “Power of the Dreamâ€, which was performed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, says it best.  “The power of the dream ~ The faith in things unseen ~ The courage to embrace your fear ~ No matter where you are ~ To reach for your own star ~ To realize the power of the dreamâ€Â  Our celebrities prove to us that dreams do come true, the key is to keep believing.
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