Some people, especially young girls, dream of becoming movie stars.
The lure of fame is very extremely powerful, but one ought to remember that the path to stardom is fraught with pitfalls.
Becoming a star often starts with a Faustian deal.
The would-be celebrity strikes a bargain with the Devil, exchanging her/his soul for worldly pleasures.
For a while, everything will work out swimmingly. People will adore you and shower you with praise.
But the fine prints of the Devil’s contract stipulate that once you have signed on the dotted line, you forsake any claims to privacy.
And there is no gentlemen’s agreement between the press and luminaries; in the paper chase everybody and everything is fair game.
Especially for paparazzi.
Your mug, your flaws are their bread and butter and they are hungry.
Often overlooked by eager applicants, the fine lines in the Faustian contract also stipulate that you are bound to remain young and beautiful forever, otherwise the deal becomes null and void.
But beautiful people (like all of us, but to a lesser extent) are cursed with a condition called “aging”.
A song written in 1948 by French poet Raymond Queneau warns young girls about this predicament.
The words go:
Si tu crois petite
Que ton teint de rose, ta taille de guêpe
Tes mignons biceps, tes ongles d´émail
Ta cuisse de nymphe, et ton pied léger
Vont durer toujours
Ce que tu te goures..
If you imagine little girl
That your rosy complexion, your narrow waist,
Your cute biceps, your polished nails
Your nymph’s thigh, your light foot
Will last forever
You are mistaken
If with time your body loses its tone and luster (and it will), don’t even think of the beach or bikinis anymore. And be wary of public appearances.
Paparazzi using sniper’s telephoto lenses will hit you at the most inopportune moment.
And their shots are not always flattering.
If you are not extremely careful (to the point of paranoia), cellulite, flabby stomach or drooping breasts will soon be plastered all over the Internet.
And the people who once adored you will forsake you for the next starlet sensation.
Personally I am not worried. I am just ruggedly handsome but not worth any paparazzi’s time.
So, before wishing upon a star, watch what you are asking for, for you might just get it!
Alain