WRY BREAD: A Slice of My Life in Pursuit of Dough

Why We Should All Imitate Jennifer Lopez

By Gail Harlow

          Julia Roberts is pregnant with twins, and we cheer. Jennifer Lopez has a bad hair day, and we commiserate (or sneer). Oprah (and Kelly Ripa) read, and millions follow their lead. We track the loves and lives—even the reading habits—of the stars as though they were stocks we’d invested our life savings in. Celebrity journalists may have the securest profession around.  There are Web sites where we can go to learn how to achieve Britney’s “natural look”; others where we can sign up for a “personal greeting” from J. Lo.  Many of us go to K-Mart to buy Martha Stewart’s towels and dishes and sheets. Some of us even own stock in the business empire that she built by selling us her sense of style—and for awhile we may have suffered because of her alleged insider trading activity. From the outside, insiders always look like they’re having the most fun.

          There’s no question that, as a culture, we tend to be in crazy awe of celebrities. We emulate what they wear, eat, read, how they look, smell (Allure reports on the perfumes of the stars)—even think.  Advertisers pay celebrities to sell products. Magazines put them on covers to sell copies. Political candidates woo them to win votes. The stars themselves use our obsession to their advantage, by starting clothing lines and restaurants that bear their names, if no other resemblance. On the plus side, they also use their fame to support causes and start charitable foundations. The Britney Spears Foundation helps children in need. Serena and Venus Williams sponsor a tennis academy for underprivileged and other teens.

          Star-gazing is harmless enough, but what we tend to forget is that, before these people became celebrities, they were just people—like you and me. In fact, even in the thrall of their celebrity, they still are just people—like you and me. They don’t make perfect choices in love (this is Julia Roberts’ second marriage) or money (witness Martha Stewart). And not even model Cindy Crawford wakes up looking gorgeous, or so she claims: “I think women see me on the cover of magazines and think I never have a pimple or bags under my eyes. You have to realize that's after two hours of hair and makeup, plus retouching. Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.“ 

          Sometimes stars wish for things that come easily to us. Celine Dion left the limelight so that she could concentrate on having a child.  Her greatest desire was to be something that many of us already are. Now, after the birth of her son, she’s back, happily singing again, a working mom—but with certain advantages that money can buy to help her more easily balance her work and family life. Clearly, money sets us apart; but spending money will not make us more like our favorite stars. We will be not become famous (or successful, or happy), just because we spend a fortune on the perfume, hair products, and makeup they use, the clothes they wear, or the CD’s and movies they produce.

          Still, it is within our power to be like them. Here’s the secret: Instead of emulating the trappings of their lives, why not try to emulate the qualities that got them where they are in the first place? Not their talent—we can’t all be singers or actors or talk-show hosts, after all—but their confidence, their determination, their persistence, their stubbornness, their hard work, and perfectionism. Their belief in themselves. As an editor, I’ve worked on articles written by the likes of Barbara Walters and Katharine Hepburn, among others. The first few times I came into contact with these strong and accomplished women, I could hardly speak.  I learned in my dealings with celebrities that they are just like you and me, except that they work harder and they care more about the quality of everything they do. They also never give up on their dreams, even when the going gets tough. “I had confidence that I was going to do what I dreamed of doing or die trying,” said Jennifer Lopez in a recent MSN Live interview. “I was determined, and I had a feeling inside that this is what I should be doing with my life. You never think of what level you will get to. You just want to be an actress and sing.” 

          This Bronx-born daughter of a computer programmer and a kindergarten teacher is now considered the “highest paid Latina in Hollywood” and “the first Latin actress in history to demand a $1 million salary.” Lopez made millions acting and singing last year. And she earned that money doing what she loves doing. Now that’s worth celebrating! Pursue your dreams with the same fervor, and someday maybe you, too, will be able to celebrate your success by splurging on 20 pairs of Manolo Blahnik shoes—and show off, using the ultimate ostentatious display: paying with cash.

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Gail Harlow is the founding editor of MAKING BREAD: The Magazine for Women Who Need Dough. E-mail her with your comments at gail@makingbreadmagazine.com.  

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