So what’s it like to be famous? We hear and see the horror stories, the lengths stars go to avoid exposure to the public, and at the same time, their absurd efforts to keep their fame going. Justine Bateman aims to analyze it for us from her own experience in Fame. Since her own greatest fame occurred between ages 17 and 24, that makes up most of the book.
Fame is that most desirable state, except for all the people that come with it. Celebrities need to deal with it rationally, but the media are filled with stories of assaults, bar fights, internet trolling and stalking. Bateman tries to distill it all from her personal experience. That makes this a valuable document.
There are some interesting insights. When in public, keep moving. If you stop, people will surround you and you are toast. On the red carpet, keep moving. As soon as the camera-clicking audibly begins to slow, move off. Above all, try not to say what you really want to. Just be polite, despite everything. Despite them grabbing your arm, stroking your hair, inviting you home, or telling you their fantasies about you.
In North America, you’re only as famous as your last hit. In Europe, you can be famous for one accomplishment all the rest of your life.
She is, inevitably, conflicted. On the one hand she treasures her fame. She is jealous of up and comers who have more of it. On the other hand, she detests fame and all the irrationals criticism of her body, her face, and of her declining fame itself. She googles her name and becomes infuriated at trolls. She takes it seriously and personally. On the other hand, she thinks she has become a much more interesting person since fame has become less of a factor in her life. She has a pilot’s license, a diver’s license, an undergrad degree, and has been in films, plays and has directed – all since her fame began to decline. What really galls her is being treated like a potential troll/stalker by other celebrities, since she is no longer one of them, and they don’t recognize her for who she used to be.
Bateman’s writing style is somewhat bothersome. She loves to repeat the same sentences. Repeat the same sentences. It quickly becomes annoying. She loves capitalizing phrases and whole sentences: “I planned to COME HERE TO TELL YOU a thing or two.” Pointless emphasis at best, head-scratching most of the time. She swears continually, adding nothing of interest. The book would be a quarter shorter without all the repetition and the four letter words.
Bateman misses the privilege now, but she’s a fuller person without it, and recommends everyone steer clear of Fame as a goal in itself. Just pursue what you love or do best.
David Wineberg