The demands of a star

What is it about being famous? Sure you get an amazing job and a fan crowd, but apparently you also have the right to treat people as crap and put yourself on top of a pedestal. This past week there has been a big music festival in the town I live in. There was three headliners - Prince, Kings of Leon and Alabama Shakes. I saw the first two perform, but sadly I did not catch the Alabama Shakes concert.

Anyways, while we are sitting at home or standing in the crowd with nothing but respect for these artist, they are in the back taking advantage of it. Now, when it was announced that Prince would be performing in our little town of 22,000 people, everyone went crazy. The tickets were sold out immediately. Later we were told that Prince himself had actually asked to come and perform here, which only made the town extremely proud.

Prince went on stage at 10.30 pm and there was about 60,000 people in the crowd. I stood there with two of my friends and we were all having a great time. But his concert soon became enough. It was boring and basically nothing but guitars playing. Now I am sad to say that we left after an hour - meaning that we missed Purple Rain and Kiss.

Two nights ago Kings of Leon went on, and it was much more of an experience! I wouldn't say that they were amazing, but they were good. Nor me or my friends knew many of their songs, but we were still partying like crazy to the soundings of it. But even though the music was good, the musicians acted like they were in another place. Like their minds had gone somewhere completely different. At last they finally played Use Somebody and Sex on Fire - both of them were great.

One of my friends had been working as a runner backstage, so she had seen the lists of their demands. Now Prince had made his SmukFest debut by deciding two of the other acts that day. He wanted Vinnie Who to perform, and then he wanted Thomas Helmig to warm up for Prince himself. Now then he said that if Helmig could not manage the crowd and give a great concert, he would not go on. But he did, so it must have meant that he was okay with the earlier performance.

But not only did he demand certain people. He wanted a 3,555 dollar (20.000 Dkk) Cognac and a 1,250 dollar (7000 Dkk) Champagne. For some dumb reason he got both.. And then he did not even touch the cognac. I mean what the hell is wrong now?

Kings of Leon on the other hand demanded to have five golf cars waiting for them backstage. Now that was a possible demand, but it also meant that the festival would only have three left for the employees to use at the 60,000 people festival. Besides that they wanted unlimited alcohol. I would not call this a bad demand, but the thing is that they had been drinking constantly - they even were on stage. Maybe thats why they seemed off.

Last but not least is the Danish singer Anna David. She is only famous in Denmark and not even so much anymore. She came to the festival to perform - one of the songs with the local, but world known choir Skanderborg Ungdomskor. They were supposed to rehearse before the concert, but she just came into the room, looked and expressed some sort of feeling that there were too many people. She then decided to come on stage 15 minutes late, because she was busy flirting with her guitarist in the back. She was dressed as if she was attending a gymnastics performance. She was only wearing a body stocking, high socks and high heels. This would be okay if she was Beyonce.. But she is not! Her dancers were wearing even less clothing, and she sang like she was hurting. One of her songs is about, how she was raped as a 17-year old. Now, looking at her partying like crazy on stage and barely even wearing clothes, I lose all respect for her as an artist.

So really my point is that famous people get too much power, and they start believing that they own the place. But here's the thing, they did not own the festival. Maybe they could have with all their ridiculous payments, but they didn't. When us "normal" people go to work, we can't act like queens or kings, because that would get us fired. For some reason stars believe that they can at their work. Knowing how they behave, I am sure that they would lose many fans - one of them including me.

Safe Haven - A Novel by Nicholas Sparks

So here comes another book review. This time on something a little different than Fifty Shades. It's Nicholas Sparks time. During the summer I finished one of his books - Safe Haven. It's the story of a young woman, Katie, trying to escape her horrifying somewhat of a husband. She changes her name, her looks - her everything, and moves to a small town in North Carolina called Southport. She's determined to avoid personal ties, or that is until she meets Alex and his two children and her new neighbour Jo. Despite her reservations, of which she lets go, she becomes attached to Alex and his family. But the struggle of her dark past haunts her everywhere she goes, and somewhere in the middle of everything, she has to decide her future.

Most of us know about Sparks' novels. The love is mind-blowing. Nothing beats the feelings that this man can capture with words. But still most of his creativity stays the same - boy meets girl, they fall in love, someone dies. Now dont get me wrong. Even with that on our minds, his work is exceptional. But Safe Haven was something else. Not only was it extremely romantic, but it was very realistic. It takes us into the mind of women, whom have been beaten by their husband. It tells us how families can look like "the perfect family" and still be dealing with the worst things you could imagine. But it also gives us the time to realize that everything can turn to the better. In the end the tragedy keeps Katie's life together. Nothing is so bad that it isn't good for anything. It's a true and complex written story, and it only makes me respect and love him and his work even more.

If you haven't read it yet, you know what tonight is for :)

Until next time..

Nothing is impossible. Even the word itself says: I'm possible

My whole life all I have ever wanted to do is to share my thoughts and feelings through music and acting. I have always known that is what I wanted to do in my life. So why does it have to be so hard to be real for once. 

Every single one that I'm surrounded by, supports me in their own weird way saying: "Nicole, you're so good and you can do whatever you want in life - but lets be real! You also love traveling and exploring, and if you want to be an artist, that aint never going to happen". 

But even though I know it might be true, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Why cant they just understand that I want to work my ass off to get there, but I need some support to do it? Up until now I've seen and done most of the stuff on my to-do-list. I have wanted to live in the U.S since I was eighth years old and that happened when I turned 15. I've wanted a standing ovation for my performance and that happened as well. I know that I can get there, if I want to. 

Though lately I'm been so confused about who I really am. I basically used to think that I had my entire life planned out. Now, not so much. Maybe I'm changing completely or maybe I'm just having that midlife crisis, though I'm just 17... Not quite sure which one! I've always loved writing and wanted to be a journalist - that dream has never gone away. But now I'm starting to think that maybe teaching wouldn't be so bad. Still I have no idea how my life is gonna turn out. The only thing I know is that it will involve music, acting, dancing and writing. I'm gonna keep on dreaming and I think every one of you should, too.

Once heard, never forgotten.. 

"Nothing is impossible. Even the word itself says: I'm possible" - Audrey Hepburn

Families may not be easy.... But they're worth it

Sometimes I sit down wondering why I came up with a blog in the first place.. Sometimes I wonder why I do not keep on writing. But then it hits me - I don't want people to know my every thought. Still I feel like this gives me the freedom and possibility to let out everything. Today I want to talk about families.

Living in a family can be tough, but mostly it is worth every single fight. I myself live in a family where we love each other very much, but each of us have our own problems, and sometimes they will interfere with the family.

Still I think it is very important that we all learn that living in a family is never easy, if we cant be ourselves and let out our inner thoughts. That said I do not just mean anger or sadness, but whatever comes right before that. Let your family know what is on your mind, before you go and blow up. This I think is the problem not only in my family but in many others as well. People don't know when it is okay to tell. But being in a family means being in a safe and comfortable environment. And if your family isn't like that, you all need to sit down and talk to each other. This is the only way that life will be good.

I'm not quite sure where I want this to go.. I guess I'm just trying to say: Appreciate the things you have and work on the ones that are not quite there yet. The important thing is to be positive.

Les Miserables

So I thought I was going to keep up on this blog.. Guess that didn't go so well, but I'm just so damn busy all the time.

Yesterday I went to the movies and watched Les Misérables. I've waited for this film for about a year now, and I could not have been more excited. But I must say that I thought it was absolutely remarkable, and personally I think that it is one of the best film adaptions of a musical. Instructor Tom Hooper knew exactly how to make every single emotion so real and pure, though there barely were any lines in there. It was almost singing only.

Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) and Anne Hathaway (Fantine) were truly my favourite actors. Though Jackman's singing wasn't exactly incredible, there was something in his voice that made you believe and feel every word he sang. He is an extraordinary actor of this generation. Anne Hathaway on the other hand, I did not expect any good voice from. But gosh she touched me in every phrase that she sang. Her voice was pure, insecure and pretty but yet mature. And whenever she sang "I Dreamed A Dream", I was bawling - my tears just poured out. Her acting as well was just amazing. She really has a gift, which she must have gotten from her mother, who played the same part on Broadway. Hathaway is an inspiration to any aspiring your actor or actress. At least I know that she is to me.

Of course the other actors were great, too. Isabelle Allen played the part of Young Cosette and her performance was more than memorable. She was so pure, and though her singing was amazing, it was still immature and pretty as supposed to. Amanda Seyfried then came and played Cosette later on. Her voice is as usual perfect. You can't put a finger on any note - it's just perfect. Theres not much to say. She was extremely good.

Russel Crowe (Javert), Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Samantha Barks (Èponine) were all very surprising. I did not expect Crowe to have that good of a voice. His action was great as well - but he always is. Redmayne and Barks though put so much feeling and touch to their character. Both I have not heard of before (maybe I'm living in a cave), but that I thought was nice, because you didnt know what to expect.

Last is of course the incredible Sacha Cohen (Thénardier) and Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thénardier). They were just perfect for this part. Could not imagine anyone else filling in for them. Can't say anything but the fact that those two are winning the hearts of the audience no matter what.

You're never alone

Years ago a new Disney series aired on Television. It was called Hannah Montana and it was about a girl who wanted to be a rockstar, but have a normal life as well. I remember the day the first episode aired on Danish TV - I knew from that moment how much I could relate to the character Miley Stewart played by Miley Cyrus. I watched every single episode as they aired, and for some reason it was the only TV-show that I loved and still love. Tonight one of the last episodes aired once again, and as I watched it I realized, that the show is my childhood. Of course I'm not an international sensation, but my thoughts and hopes were the exact same as Miley's when she was 11. Now I'm 16 and I'm ready to show everyone who I really am. I'm tired of pretending, and for once in my life, everything starts making sense. I dont know how many times I've watched an episode, and then told myself: Nicole - thats just like you!

This really isn't about how much I used to love Disney series - but it's about how every girl or boy out there needs someone to look up to and talk to about how they're doing. I always had my mom, and when I was younger, Miley Stewart was like a best friend to me - as in I felt the same way about things that the character did, and that helped me gain some confidence. So now that I'm sitting watching it again, it's almost as if I'm watching a slide of memories. My point is that you're never ever alone.

You are one but you're never alone

You can't atone for every promise you've broken

In this moment there's no way you can fail

You must be honest with yourself

Use your pain to achieve your goals

Make amends while you can and stay focused

You can't be burdened by your lack of control

Never stray from the path you have chosen

By Heartbreed

"Nothing is impossible.

Even the word itself says: I'm possible"

Audrey Hepburn