Book Review by Kam Williams
(Akiit.com) “A lot of parents say they want their child to become a star, but not many of them are realistically prepared for what will be required of them- their time, their money, their energy, etc. Getting your child into the entertainment field will not be easy. It requires hard work and guidance.
Billionaire Baby is a succinct how-to guide for parents who want to pursue an entertainment career for their child. It provides a clear, straightforward approach to understanding the various elements of a successful career and gives direction on where to obtain the tools that are needed by every parent who is serious about pursuing this dream.â€
–Excerpted from the Introduction
Do you have a talented kid who wants to be famous, and are you willing to be a stage-mom or a stage-dad in order to achieve that goal? If so, then have I got a book for you. Billionaire Baby is a straightforward, strategic primer filled with what strikes me as sage advice about how to turn that little monster of yours into a money-generating mega-star.
The book was written by Emory Drake, a model who ostensibly draws from both her own experiences and from the insights of experts and success stories in compiling her lengthy litany of dos and don’ts. Her tone is cold and calculated from beginning to end, which ought to serve as a fair warning to anyone expecting their kid to become an overnight sensation.
For as the author clearly indicates, “pursuing an entertainment career†is tough and calls for “handling this endeavor as a business venture.†Thus, any parent inclined to subject his or her offspring to the rigors of showbiz ought to take the steps likely to optimize their chances of making it.
There are so many recent success stories to be inspired by, including those of Usher, Beyonce’, Shakira, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Lil Bow Wow, Lil Romeo, Natalie Portman, Kelly Rowland, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Raven-Symone, Katie Holmes, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, and Scarlett Johansson, to name a few. And Drake states, unequivocally, that what all of the above have in common is that “their talent was properly groomed and then placed in front of the right people at the right time.â€
According to the book, stars are made, not born, so at the outset, it is incumbent upon adults to draw up a master plan, after honestly assessing a child’s abilities and ambition and the family’s level of commitment. To do this, you will need to study every applicable aspect of the industry in order to familiarize yourself with just what’s involved.
Early on in the career-building process, Emory suggests you consider investing in singing, acting or other appropriate lessons and perhaps also in a publicist in order to maximize your budding icon’s potential. Probably of equal importance is Drake’s valuable counsel about the many pitfalls which await the unwary. For example, she says “Never allow a child to attend a casting call alone,†“Never pay money to post pictures on a website,†and be on the alert for con artists and child molesters who “pose as modeling scouts in order to gain a young girl’s trust.â€
Wisely, the author includes a disclaimer that she can’t guarantee success, since even with the best of efforts the odds are your child will fall short of the mark. However, if you do choose to take the risk, Billionaire Baby is a practical step-by-step guide for any parent dedicated to turning their tyke into a star of tomorrow.