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Sherlene Stevens: Celebrities Pay to Work

What does it take to be a judge on the upcoming season series of American Idol? I heard they are looking for one more judge!  Do you enjoy working for several supervisors at once? How about your multi-tasking skills in receiving instructions from several different people all at one time? That is the lifestyle activities of our most favorite entertainers.

There are many people who would like to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. For a person, who isn't disciplined, a celebrity employment contract can be very risky. The challenges can be harsh: It can actually ruin one's career, or keeps the working partnership going--no matter the dysfunction--to avoid financial penalties.

A typical employment contract demands consideration, before signing.  Can you imagine the responsibility of adhering to a celebrity's contract? There are so many internal and external staff that one deals with throughout the contract timeframe. Then there are the sponsors who have their own unique demands and purposes.

A Celebrity's Contract

  • Requires flexible scheduling, work demands of any day and time. Forget the typical, daily, family schedule. At times you may even miss out on a special family-bonding opportunity; 
  • Requires quality time with one's fans and audience base. Some may likeable, and others may not seem so friendly. You are your own boss in such situations. You may even have to hire your own personal staff such as a personal assistant;
  • Requires working with sponsors. You may represent a company brand by purchasing/wearing/eating their specific products only. 
  • Requires working with security staff on a daily basis. If you don't like to be watched constantly, where ever you go, then a celebrity-figure job may not be for you;
  • Requires your immediate family to be flexible and cooperative to all constituents and networking partners;
  • Requires you to be cooperative in learning something new, or how to perform in a different way under very different circumstances;
  • Requres you to have numerous photo shoots;
  • Requires wardrobe, shoes and accessories;
  • Requires you to have several living situation habits "will be here today, there next week";
  • Requires the ability to travel using various transportation choices for immediate destination actions;
  • Requires you to know how to handle consistent money flow. A lot of celebrities,  have actually gone bankrupt because they had never experienced having large amounts of money to handle. Sure most people would enjoy earning millions of dollars, but you have to have the financial discipline. For some celebrities there may be months or even years before the next job opportunity. I believe that is why they pay celebrities so well;
  • Requires, for the most part, to be a part of an employment union. Of course, there are union dues to pay upfront--"before" you actually begin working. Most people find gigs or part-time work just to pay their dues to work. Get it, to work in the industry you have to pay to work; and
  • Requires you to have your own agent, accountant, and legal representation at all times. To work in the industry you really have to pay to work.
Overall, I guess celebrities are actually mini bosses--of their own lifestyle and celebrity-lifestyle choices. Celebrities, well, they really do pay, in many different ways, to perform for us. So let's keep them uplifted, and let them know that we are thankful of their specific skills and talents.