Starlight- Star BRIGHT
It was an average day. I had been feeling under the weather lately, so I was wearing my "don't notice me" disguise: baggy jeans, ex-boyfriend flannel, no makeup, and greasy hair. I had gotten off work early, so I actually had some time to run errands before heading home.
After stopping by the post office and Goodwill, I made my final stop at Petco to pick up some supplies. Armed with kitty litter, cat food, and green treats, I absentmindedly waited in line at the check out counter.
Bored and restless, I glanced at the items in the girl's basket ahead of me. Canned beef dog food and some dry food as well - "...Must have a dog." I stated the obvious, musing to myself. My eyes traveled upward, glancing at the frail frame of the girl, hungry to observe a new face.
Cat-eyed sunglasses hid her guarded expression, as she clutched her wallet in her hands. She stared only at the counter, purposefully avoiding the eyes of the cashier, while her awkward auburn curls fell about her face. Then it struck me. I knew this girl.
Being a fan favorite of all the teachers at a performing arts camp I attended years ago, I was granted the "privilege" of rooming with a famous fellow camper... Though, at the time, it was merely her parents who were well known: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.
Yes, Rumer Willis was my fellow bunkmate for a week at dance camp. I was privy not only to her inside thoughts, wardrobe advice, late night girl talk, and phone calls she made to her parents (she being the only camper who was allowed to keep her cellphone) but also the way in which she would forget about me the minute her adoring fellow campers looked her way.
Despite our friendliness toward each other, I left camp that year feeling bitter and jealous of the automatic status she gained by merely having famous parents. "She'll probably have no problem getting into the movie industry, unlike me" - which, she later proved correct, starring in such favorites like "Hostage" and "The House Bunny" while I am still taking Casting Director workshops and possibly being known for doing a soap opera webseries.
I had altogether forgotten about the nights spent at arts camp with Rumer, until today.
---
If you haven't already read the headlines splashed across the gossip websites and magazines- her mom, Demi Moore, just recently overdosed and was rushed to a hospital. When I read the news, my heart went out to Rumer and her family. I had met her mom once, at the end of the final dance performance of camp; clutching a red bull in one hand and running her fingers through her gorgeous raven hair, she gave me a hug and graciously thanked me for rooming with her daughter. "She seems like a perfectly wonderful individual to me" I thought.
So when the tabloids paraded her younger husband's infidelities and her subsequent health problems, my heart sank and I wondered how the family was holding up.
---
And then, today, there was Rumer. Waiting in line at a Petco in front of me- almost 10 years later.
A myriad of thoughts rushed to my head. Should I say hello? I look like shit. Would she even recognize me? Should I tell her I hope everything turns out ok? Does she live near here? Was she partying it up at the Chateau last night like the tabloids said she did? Did she recognize me? Is that why she isn't looking up?
My eyes glanced toward the doorway- sure enough, there was a paparazzo, smiling as he got his shots. His friend giggling next to him with a video camera.
That poor girl.
She probably would be hounded with questions and a camera shoved in her face the minute she left the store, when I'm sure all she wants is privacy. I panicked. Should I warn her? Does she know that they're there? But before I could rationalize any semblance of a thought, she quickly gathered up her things and left.
I was left shell shocked in my head. How different our lives were. Or had become... Here I was, in flannel and no makeup buying cat litter, unrecognized and left alone - while she was now stalked and followed at her every move. Her family's privacy exposed for all the world to see as people hide behind their computer screens and criticize. This was the girl who yearned for attention and recognition in arts camp, and now, I can only imagine, she wants anything but. A sad irony indeed.
I felt such empathy toward her, when before all I had was judgment. It woke me up out of a fog, and for once, made me realize just how lucky I am. How grateful I am for my privacy. To be alone. To be able to walk down the street and not be recognized. To be able to cry in my car and not have anyone notice. Everything comes at a price. And I guess, I am grateful for the fact that it is taking time to reach my goals. Allowing me the chance to grow and fuck up before the entire world takes notice. Perhaps things do happen for a reason. And seeing Rumer today certainly awoke an appreciation in me. I only have kind words for her and her family and I wish her the upmost amount of respect and privacy that she can obtain at the moment. And if, maybe one day we do meet again, it will be on better terms - and I will say hi.
~A
After stopping by the post office and Goodwill, I made my final stop at Petco to pick up some supplies. Armed with kitty litter, cat food, and green treats, I absentmindedly waited in line at the check out counter.
Bored and restless, I glanced at the items in the girl's basket ahead of me. Canned beef dog food and some dry food as well - "...Must have a dog." I stated the obvious, musing to myself. My eyes traveled upward, glancing at the frail frame of the girl, hungry to observe a new face.
Cat-eyed sunglasses hid her guarded expression, as she clutched her wallet in her hands. She stared only at the counter, purposefully avoiding the eyes of the cashier, while her awkward auburn curls fell about her face. Then it struck me. I knew this girl.
Being a fan favorite of all the teachers at a performing arts camp I attended years ago, I was granted the "privilege" of rooming with a famous fellow camper... Though, at the time, it was merely her parents who were well known: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.
Yes, Rumer Willis was my fellow bunkmate for a week at dance camp. I was privy not only to her inside thoughts, wardrobe advice, late night girl talk, and phone calls she made to her parents (she being the only camper who was allowed to keep her cellphone) but also the way in which she would forget about me the minute her adoring fellow campers looked her way.
Despite our friendliness toward each other, I left camp that year feeling bitter and jealous of the automatic status she gained by merely having famous parents. "She'll probably have no problem getting into the movie industry, unlike me" - which, she later proved correct, starring in such favorites like "Hostage" and "The House Bunny" while I am still taking Casting Director workshops and possibly being known for doing a soap opera webseries.
I had altogether forgotten about the nights spent at arts camp with Rumer, until today.
---
If you haven't already read the headlines splashed across the gossip websites and magazines- her mom, Demi Moore, just recently overdosed and was rushed to a hospital. When I read the news, my heart went out to Rumer and her family. I had met her mom once, at the end of the final dance performance of camp; clutching a red bull in one hand and running her fingers through her gorgeous raven hair, she gave me a hug and graciously thanked me for rooming with her daughter. "She seems like a perfectly wonderful individual to me" I thought.
So when the tabloids paraded her younger husband's infidelities and her subsequent health problems, my heart sank and I wondered how the family was holding up.
---
And then, today, there was Rumer. Waiting in line at a Petco in front of me- almost 10 years later.
A myriad of thoughts rushed to my head. Should I say hello? I look like shit. Would she even recognize me? Should I tell her I hope everything turns out ok? Does she live near here? Was she partying it up at the Chateau last night like the tabloids said she did? Did she recognize me? Is that why she isn't looking up?
My eyes glanced toward the doorway- sure enough, there was a paparazzo, smiling as he got his shots. His friend giggling next to him with a video camera.
That poor girl.
She probably would be hounded with questions and a camera shoved in her face the minute she left the store, when I'm sure all she wants is privacy. I panicked. Should I warn her? Does she know that they're there? But before I could rationalize any semblance of a thought, she quickly gathered up her things and left.
I was left shell shocked in my head. How different our lives were. Or had become... Here I was, in flannel and no makeup buying cat litter, unrecognized and left alone - while she was now stalked and followed at her every move. Her family's privacy exposed for all the world to see as people hide behind their computer screens and criticize. This was the girl who yearned for attention and recognition in arts camp, and now, I can only imagine, she wants anything but. A sad irony indeed.
I felt such empathy toward her, when before all I had was judgment. It woke me up out of a fog, and for once, made me realize just how lucky I am. How grateful I am for my privacy. To be alone. To be able to walk down the street and not be recognized. To be able to cry in my car and not have anyone notice. Everything comes at a price. And I guess, I am grateful for the fact that it is taking time to reach my goals. Allowing me the chance to grow and fuck up before the entire world takes notice. Perhaps things do happen for a reason. And seeing Rumer today certainly awoke an appreciation in me. I only have kind words for her and her family and I wish her the upmost amount of respect and privacy that she can obtain at the moment. And if, maybe one day we do meet again, it will be on better terms - and I will say hi.
~A