Booker & Sarah On the Page: I want to be a star.
 

What once was the result of hard work, determination, and due-paying is now just about being in the right place at the right time. Moreover, having a camera and something interesting to say can make you a worldwide sensation in no time thanks to sites like YouTube.

            Research shows that the next generation does not want to be President. They don’t want to walk on the moon. They want to be a star. Whether it’s singing their heart out on American Idol, dancing their way into the hearts of Americans on So You Think You Can Dance, fighting to be head of household on Big Brother, or making a drunken idiot out of themselves on The Real World, it doesn’t matter as long as they can see their name in lights.

            What we have learned is that Generation Y can name the cast of The Hills and the latest drama on Gossip Girl but falter when you ask them who the current Secretary of State is. It’s Condoleezza Rice by the way.

            So what does that say? The next generation of Americans is by far the most gifted. They have grown up in an age of technology. We can’t remember a time without the Internet and struggle to recall a time without cell phones. Everything we have ever wanted has been at our fingertips and we snub our noses up at the thought of being forced to use a dictionary. Really…who still uses dictionaries anyway when we can just Google it?

            We have created stars out of nobodies thanks to the help of MySpace and YouTube. Most pop music lovers have heard of One Republic. What you may not know is that their great success began on MySpace. Colbie Caillat posted her song “Bubbly” on MySpace and after gathering 6,240 friends, Rolling Stone highlighted her as one of the top female vocalists on the social networking website. Soon after, record labels were calling and she was signed to Universal Records.

            Tila Tequila was one of the first people, besides Tom, to amass over 1 million friends on MySpace. That helped to land her on the show Identity and later lead to her own MTV show called, A Shot at Love.

            The “Evolution of Dance” became a dorm room phenomenon. No-names became Spielberg’s and teenagers became criminals---all because of YouTube.

            Who will be the next superstar? Never has that question been more difficult to answer. It’s no longer the weary dreamers who sell everything to sleep on couches in L.A. waiting for their chance at stardom. It’s not the guitar player who traveled around to various bar crowds making just enough tips to afford to fill up with gas before moving on to his next gig. It’s surely not the lowly writer in the park hoping to spark that great idea to make his first motion picture. Those people still exist and will continue to strive through their animosity for the Chris Crocker’s and Tila Tequila’s of this world.

In all honesty, you could be the next star – the owner of your own reality show, the maker of the greatest 3 ½ minute laughing dog video on YouTube or the greatest one-hit MySpace wonder. Dancing in your underwear, teaching your dog to say “I wuv you,” or dancing on treadmills. Lights. Camera. Whatever. It’s not even necessary to have talent.

            We’ve recognized the need and desire for fame and that is why HOT 96 has launched HOT 96 TV, a website dedicated to be the streaming entertainment source of the tri-state. Our first venture is turning an average listener into a worldwide mega-star…just for having a life worth watching. Check out www.hot96.com to watch along with the rest of the planet.

            There are still those that prefer anonymity. Those that are shy, private, or have a life they don’t want people watching make up a vast percentage of the population. Without even knowing, a considerable majority of our day is under surveillance. Whether you are shopping at the grocery store or driving down the Lloyd, your every move may be recorded by cameras. Now, with a reported 82% of Americans owning cell phones, you could be captured on video at the most inopportune moment.

            Next time you are exiting a vehicle be extra careful to cross your legs if you aren’t wearing underwear, carry your child with BOTH arms, and whatever you do – stay away from Amy Winehouse!

            We must always remember that what we say and what we do just might make us a star…whether we like it or not.

 
For more information about HOT 96 TV, log on to hot96.com and listen to the #1-rated Booker & Sarah Morning Show weekdays from 5:30 – 10 AM on HOT 96.