the glamorous life
by rantywoman
I heard an older, childless semi-celebrity being interviewed on a podcast this week. She’s beautiful, talented, ambitious, charming, and witty– in all ways a great role model for the single, childfree life. In the interview, she poked gentle fun at the whole marriage-and-baby ideal.
The thing is, she lives such an enviable life that I felt a bit ambivalent about her attitude. I like that she’s “representing” well, but at the same time, I understand why most women want to get married and have kids. Most of us aren’t famous and don’t have dream careers with plenty of time off between gigs. Unlike me, this particular woman never goes long without a boyfriend, and she is feted in the way celebrities often are, particularly the physically attractive ones. All of my acquaintances in the industry, even if their level of fame is relatively small, receive more emails and invitations than I could ever imagine. I don’t think any of them can quite comprehend how lonely it can get for the average person who remains single past young adulthood.
I have relished all the things I’ve been able to experience as a single person–things I would have missed out on if I’d been part of a couple– and, as I’m trying to stay “present,” I will continue to appreciate my freedoms. I admit, though, that a stable, committed, loving partnership sounds, well… divine.
thebitterbabe 
Yeah I feel conflicted about a lot of single & proud testimony. It’s like on one hand you’re happy for the person but you also get the sense that they’re not really being entirely forthcoming and trying to avoid being seen as the exception to the rule. On the other hand, I try to cut people who talk about their single life (especially non-celebs) some slack because I fee like it’s brave to be able to talk openly about it and I want to read about people who I can relate to even if it’s like the 10% most palatable to society. I wonder how people can balance it so that the experiences of the other 90% don’t get lost in transmission. Anyway, good post.
Incidentally, this is a problem with a lot of gay press as well. Even more so cos often they write in such a way as to try to generalize the experiences of such a marginalized group. I can’t help but think that a lot of anecdata in that area leaves people feeling left out and disenfranchised even more than before.
Interesting– thank you for both your comments. I agree.
Just wondering who this celebrity is?! A clue at least?
Also surprised by you saying even low level industry types get invited everywhere. I always thought it a list- with everyone else trying to get in. Where do they get invited?
If they are performers, yes, I think they get lots of emails from fans, people wanting them to do stuff, other performers inviting them to shows and events, etc.
As far as the celebrity– I like her, so I don’t want to say, but it could be any number of people.
Oh well of they are performers, that make sense. I was thinking of my costume designer friend. She tells me is often feels like Cinderella getting everyone ready of the ball. I know for a fact she is rarely invited places. But the life of a performer is different- although certainly not for everyone! I feel like performer types always have to be on!!
Celebrities never have to stay single for long. At the very least their publicists fix them up with their peers.