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From Role of a Lifetime to Lifetime Role Model By Emily
A role model isn’t something people have to be. You choose to be a role model. You choose to live your life in a way that encourages people and allows them to want to be a better person themselves. A role model cares about others, no matter how important or famous they are. People like this are the people we look up to. They come from all walks of life and make the world a better place. Selena Gomez is possibly one of the best role models we have, and people of all ages look up to her for the latest fashion trends and charities to support. So why is she doing so well and how can you be just as fabulous? We look at 5 steps to being a perfect Role Model and how Selena is an example of just that.
1. The Golden Rule Variation: Thinking About the People that Look Up to You Apart from being just pretty, witty and diligent, Selena also has some smart moves going on, especially in her film career. With the release of Ramona and Beezus (July 23rd) and Monte Carlo in production the realization came that Selena is about to break into the rest of the world. That made us recognize that Selena has always been tactical in her choice of roles.
When Wizards of Waverly Place first aired on Disney Channel three years ago, 12 year olds everywhere fell in love with the feisty character Alex Russo, and eventually the actress behind her. Alex was a character who spoke her own mind but had a caring heart. Selena shows her heart more often than Alex but both actress & character appealed to the audience. Following her new job on “Wizards of Waverly Place”, Selena started work on “Another Cinderella Story” (a non-Disney production) a year later. Now she has progressed to “Ramona & Beezus”, “Monte Carlo”, and has several other flicks rumoured to be in the works (think The Seven Rays). The point to all this, however, is how Selena has grown with her audience, the original Wizards fans. “Another Cinderella Story” was perfect for the then 13 year olds and “Monte Carlo” looks suited for the fans now they are all grown up. By signing up for “Ramona and Beezus” she doesn’t just please the older ones but also her new current Wizards fan base as “Ramona and Beezus” is a popular children book series. Rather than try to “grow up” as many young actresses do by taking on a more risqué role, Selena is choosing roles that her fans can enjoy. It’s a smart move too, as many actresses who take on these racier roles can’t go back to the innocent ones. Selena is securing a long lasting career for herself. 2. Be Admirable
Giving to charity, helping people and general generosity is such an admirable quality and people aspire to be that helpful and kind too. Simple things like helping an elderly citizen cross the street are a good start! Most Disney channel stars are expected to support various Disney causes. There’s no real proof but the consistency would suggest that its part of the job. Selena is one of the only Disney stars to support a charity of their own accord, Selena has been the youngest UNICEF ambassador for two years in a row, and has her own Trick-or-Treat campaign. After travelling to Africa last year Selena has grown even more passionate about the charity. She managed to get millions of young people everywhere to donate to the wonderful cause. This year Selena has taken on the UNICEF Trick-or-Treat cause again and is already encouraging her fans to get involved. 3. Giving other people credit
When you do something worthwhile and get praised for it, don’t take all the credit! Think about the other people involved and don’t be conceited. It’s easy to just thank the fans, or fellow cast members. That’s sweet but it tends to be a standard response. Selena, unlike some celebrities, always remembers to thank others involved in producing her films and music she really loves them and appreciates what they do for her. She shows she values every single person involved in her life and her career. A role model is someone others want to be like. A good role model never forgets those people. 4. Communicate Clearly. A major part in being a role model is how well you can communicate with others. Whether you can talk politely and in a way people understand, it is noticed. Selena always talks clearly in her interviews and remembers her pleases’ and thank you’s but remains genuine and believable. She’s still a 17 year old girl but one of maturity and grace. She’s been conducting herself with integrity for so long, that now it’s second nature to her.
Whatever you are doing, people are watching you, whether you realise it or not! Similar to point 1, what you do does reflect who you are. This is true even in personal life. We can talk about being mature and good examples but turn around and spread a bit of gossip, and no one will listen to you anymore. All aspects of one’s life should be carried out with integrity. Selena always keeps her personal life private, which is such an endearing quality. Despite how much you may be dying to know whether she did really date Nick Jonas and what really happened with Demi Lovato, she keeps her personal life, especially that which involves others, quiet. Besides, if you knew would it be as good? Personally I don’t think it would, Selena let’s just enough slip to keep people guessing and to make their own assumptions, but doesn’t tell out right, or bad mouth anyone, something her peers don’t seem as good at. Importantly though, Selena does still talk about her personal life. Some stars only talk about professional things which is fine but doesn’t make them a role model. Selena shares about her own joys and struggles, she just keeps the bits that involve other people to herself. That is an admirable quality.
While many people can be role models, there is an age appropriateness to being a role model as well. A singer who is 28 can be a good example by stating that sexy is okay. An actress who has young girls looking up to her needs to act in other ways. Dressing appropriately is a key way to be a quality role model. Ridiculously short skirts and tight tube tops are not the best way to dress, especially in situations where you are with children younger than you! Selena always look gorgeous, but classy and dresses her age. The girl has style no one can deny that but she doesn’t raise eyebrows.
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