How can I convince my mom that this is what I want to do?

Question

I really want to become a famous actress, and I constantly tell my mom that, but all I get in reply is either a 'No, you're going to be a doctor' or she just shakes her head at me. I truly believe that I have the looks, the potential, and the personality to become an actress, but I need my mom's approval (don't even ask about my dad). Without her, I don't know what I'd do! Can anyone give me suggestions on how I can convince her that this is really what I want to do?

Answer 1

Finish school and show her that you are serious about your schooling first. Parents want their kids to succeed, she just wants to make sure that the career path you take will lead to something. Let her know that while you pursue acting, you can still be going to school to become a doctor. She wants to make sure that if that acting career dosen't work, which it sometimes dosesn't, that you will have a financiall y stable  real job to fall back on. She doesn't want you out there trying to find work as an actress and starving, you know? Actors only get paid when they act, if they don't have any work, or nobody wanting to see them on the screen, then they don't eat. You know how people's taste for something different is always changing. keep focused on school, but also let her know that you are still focused on your acting career , they  just want to see you succeed!

Answer 2

good question try to start going around your house doing what an acter would do like star going around singing in a pretty sweet voice maybe relax your mom with your soothing voice then say mom i think i can go to singing lessons then if she says yes then go and when your done with that be an actress! simple i think and hey go easy on the jonas bros thay did not do eneything to you

Answer 3

i love acting too and my dad hates the thought of that ,so my uncle is good friends with a director of a drama school,i started too months after and i did a play.so i think you should either go ask some friends during summer if their parents know anyone and stay by an aunt or friend thats what i did.

Answer 4

You sound very naive. If being famous is what you're aiming for then you won't succeed. You should love your craft and not fame.

Answer 5

Natalie, I agree with pursuing the actress part and letting the famous part happen if it's meant to. Audition for all your community and school plays, do your best to get the best parts you can. Ride your bike or take the bus to rehearsals if you have to. Keep your grades up in school -- a broad education will make you a better actress because you will have more knowledge to draw from in creating a character.

Start now looking at the colleges you want to go to in NYC, Chicago or LA to start your acting training -- once you're 18 they can't dictate what you major in in school.

"No, you're going to be a doctor," sounds a lot like the movie "Dead Poet's Society." Is that really what they're saying to you?

If they object to your acting even in community and school plays, tell them it will build up your resume for whatever you major in at college and help you with college interviews and maybe addressing a medical conference one day (even though you know that's a joke) and with your self-confidence.

All the best to you. You will be able to find out if acting is enough of a passion for you that you will continue it even if you are disappointed along the way. Never give up on your dreams.

Answer 6

since your only 14, you still have a few years until college. in the mean time, start trying to audition for different parts and try to get an agent and take every oppurtunity. just plan on going to college to be a doctor. your mom has a good point of view, its always good to have a good solid occupation. if you cant accomplish anything by the time college comes around, think about it again and talk to your mom about it, if you've been trying, she'll know that you really want to do it. if you have accomplished something, then this career might go somewhere, then she'll have to let you.

Answer 7

An actress, sure. But,  be realistic. Don't count on the famous part.

Answer 8

They won't take you seriously until you reach a mature level.  You're probably not old enough to say that you "want to become", but you need to practice during your time and put it in front of other things that you do not value as much.  For example, your parents saw you answer a phone call and your friends are asking if you'd like to go get ice cream or something.  If you say that you're going to stay home and practice my acting, then you have reached the maturity that I would think you were serious.  You won't find exactly what you're looking for from the masses of the internet though.

Answer 9

You just have to go out and do it, with our without your parents permission.  You will regret it if you don't follow your dreams...i listened to my parents and now i'm just like them.....in debt..no college degree......but don't worry i have my own plan......i just hope it works.  Good luck!

Answer 10

Have a career to fall back on incase you don't make it as an actress. Tell your mom you need her support because you want to follow your dream and you don't want to have any regrets about it when you look back on your life. Tell her if you don't try then you won't be truly happy and even if she doesn't agree with you, if she could at least be there to love and support you as a mother. Good luck!

PS. I can't stand those lil jonas boys either :p

Answer 11

You need to prove that it's something you're serious about and not just something you're momentarily interested in.  See if you can take some acting classes, perform in local plays, etc. to show her this is what you love and are serious about doing with your life.  Ultimately, it's your life and you should get to decide what you want to do with it when you become an adult.

Answer 12

Well, you need to show your mom your PLAN. Like how you are going to start becoming an actress, like auditions. and you need to save money for acting classes, and clothes and if you want to live in los angeles. AND you need to have a backup plan, say if you arent acting you can work as a doctor.( and go to college.) but the chances of become an famous actress is like 1 out of a few thousands!

:) good luck

Answer 13

easy!!! join the school drama club or a school production and invite her to come and watch she will see how good u are and she will understand wat u really want :)  

Answer 14

You need to try and prove to your mom how willing and anxuous you are to acheve in becomeing a famous actor, sure your mom wants you to be a doctor but she can't control your life can she ?? Try to have a good long deep chat and try to tell her that this is your dream and is the only thing you want to do in your life and that you are going to be totally dedicated to what you are doing and that you wont stop for nobody. In the end shes your mom and she wants whats best for you i mean what mom would'nt. try and join some clubs in acting and pay for everything yourself this will prove to her that you are willing to do anything to acheve your dream.

tell her that you know that she only wants whats best for you and that if you have her suport you could take this acting carer a very long way.

hope this helps

DZii ( *__* )

x

Answer 15

it seems she's set on you using your brains ; tell her that you'll go to college to be a doctor as a fallback when you're older ; tell her that you know that the business can be tough & if it doesn't work out then she thinks you'll be left with nothing -- but you will if you go to study at college !

Answer 16

your anti jonas i dont care about you i hope your mom deosnt let you act

Answer 17

Just tell her that this is what you want to be so your going to be it because is not her decision its yours.

Answer 18

You know what.... you do whatever your heart desires.  She is a parent, but she is not in control of your life and your destiny.  YOU ARE!!  A lot of parents think they are doing the right thing by telling their children what they should be 'when they grow up'.  But you need to get out there in life.  Make your own mistakes.  Discover who you are.  Your mom may not be happy, but you need to do what is right for yourself.  Maybe even tell her all this.  I know I want my 2 boys to do whatever they want and to grab life by the horns and get out there and discover who they are and what their place in life is.

Are you going to become 'famous' who knows.  But the journey and lessons that you will learn along the way would be pricless.

~ Yeah I know.... i am sorta turning into a hippie.  :)  But There is some good advice up there, no?

Answer 19

She cant tell you what you cant be, if you want to be an actress then go ahead and be one be what you want to be.

Answer 20

If you want to show her how much you want to be an actress, take it seriously, by looking for schools or places to get trained. Show her all the information and things you are interested in. By this maybe she will realize that this is something you want to pursue, and not just something you made up. She'll see the initiative your taking, and might consider the options.  

Answer 21

First of all, you have my deepest sympathies that your parents have this kind of attitude.  People who have set goals for their children and don't support what they really want to do should not become parents at all.

The first thing is to find out why.  Ask your mom why she doesn't want you to be an actress.  Simply knowing what she wants doesn't help.  If it is because she is afraid you won't make a good living, realize that she has a point.  Very few people actually can sustain themselves in the acting career.  If it is your passion, however, then this is no barrier.

Try asking her for a chance.  Ask for a single role in a play or movie that you want, and then work hard at it.  If you can impress her with your performance, then she will be more willing to support you.

Remind her that there are other options than being a doctor.  Tell her that when you get older you could decide to do something else, and because she limited your options when you were (are) young, it will be nearly impossible to change track.  Tell her that doctor is a possibility, but it can't be the only option.

Don't listen to everyone else here.  They say that just ignore your parents and hang the consequences.  While great in stories and fairy tales, this particular choice of action has little success in real life.  You will need the support of your parents, at least and especially at your current age.  If you just leave your parents the moment you turn 18, it will leave a gaping hole in your life that cannot be filled.  No matter your relationship with them, everyone psychologically needs a mother and father figure in their life.  It may not sound like the heroic move, but don't try to do this without your parent's consent until you are older and well out of their hands, and this may not happen until you are 50.

Answer 22

First... calm down. Acting does not happen overnight. Being famous is not the key point... the key point is to be an artist. Just pursue it, perform, perform, perform, in any possible play to get seen by as many people possible... You also have to identify a style that you want. A person, group, or company that really make you think "I want to do that". Find a way to  practice with their technique (and i said practice, besides study). practice is finally what will get you on stage in a solid way. Make yourself clear if you want either a JOB or an artistic activity that will make you happy. Being notorious is not necessary being talented, or, even worse, it will make you compromise many ethical things that you might not like to do or act in plays that you dont really like. The commercial circuit not always cross roads with the pure artistic lane, so you have to be focused in what you deeply wish. If your are serious, your parents will accept it in the long term. Best of luck