Why they haven’t really made it–yet

Some exceptional talents make their bid for stardom but fail to really make it to that much-desired status. A number of them even win national talent tilts that make them familiar and popular faces on TV for a time. So why do they stop short of real or “bankable” stardom?

Let us count the ways: Some winners enjoy only temporary success, because their talent, while exceptional, is quite predictable and limited, so viewers quickly get sated and want more.

Others are truly gifted but lack warmth and charisma, so they are admired “technically,” instead of succeeding in establishing that all-important personal connection.

Another limitation could be a lack of good looks (you know how we dote on “artistahin” looks in these all too obvious and shallow parts). They undergo all sorts of makeovers and cosmetic procedures to make up for this lack or slack, but most of them still can’t pass muster!

A more complicated factor is the talent’s perceived lack of sincerity, or genuine likability and admirable character. He or she may appear to be fun-loving and eager to please, but jaded fans who’ve seen all sorts of show biz hopefuls come and go have developed a sixth sense for fake as opposed to genuine goodness and character.

After all, most people who try to get into the biz are in it purely for their own, self-centered agenda, so fans can’t be blamed for casting a jaundiced eye and cocking a cynical eyebrow at many starlets who aspire to become popular, well-liked and wealthy stars!

For these and other downbeat reasons, many talent tilt winners are hot today, cold tomorrow

—and completely forgotten by next year. How to avoid their sad and even nasty fate?

First, exceptional “winners” have to realize that stardom is not just about outstanding talent. It’s a good start, but it won’t enable a hopeful to go the distance up that vaunted stairway to the stars—unless it’s backed up and bolstered by other plus points.

First off, a hopeful’s talents should be vivid and versatile enough to remain impressive and exciting after the initial great impression has been made.

If it isn’t just yet, the hopeful has to take all sorts of lessons and workshops to broaden and deepen his performing skills so that if people get tired of his singing, he can impress them again with his acting, dancing or hosting skills!

The issue of “looks,” or the lack of it, has to be addressed objectively, with the help of a very clear full-length mirror. If the talent concludes that he isn’t a great looker, or that he’s downright plain or even ugly, he needs to stop dreaming about becoming a romantic lead or debonair singing star who’s a “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala”—he’s just nakakakilabot, period!—so he should objectively and pragmatically accept that incontrovertible fact. Why not make it in the biz as a singing comedian instead? Quite a number of people have—and they’re singing all the way to the bank!

What about sincerity? That, too, can’t be faked—so you’d better develop a real interest in other people, and not just focus exclusively and selfishly on yourself!

In time, that “developed” warmth should affect your inner being and make you a better person—and a more genuinely liking and thus likable (dare we say the word?)—star!