Take It From Me
One of the harshest realisations of fame is that the critics don’t stop at tearing into your career; they delve into your dirty laundry too.
I’m sure everyone has heard the gossip regarding my relationship with Lee-Ann Liebenberg; I can honestly say I wasn’t prepared for the amount of publicity we would get. During the time we were together, we literally became public property and I was seen as being famous purely for whom I was dating. I blame myself for the media circus our relationship became. My naivety and blind faith that it would all work out had me digging my own grave. I’ve learnt the hard way to be more discreet and measured about my public life.
People saw me as a poser, and I wasn’t taken very seriously for being a musician even though I’d worked so hard over the years to produce albums that would prove differently. After four albums I still felt myself having to prove my worth to everyone. During the rocky parts of our relationship, I was spending a lot of time in London recording my latest album, Across the Line. I had become very frustrated with social commentary regarding my career and I was determined to demonstrate that the criticism was unfounded.
I find it strange how criticism affects people differently. I’ve always been one to pretend it has no effect on me, when in all honesty, I never forget what’s been said. I think it subconsciously filters down into some of the decisions I make, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively. On the one hand, I’ll work harder because of it but on the other, I’ll always try to win people over and change their minds about me, even though I know that most of the time I won’t succeed.
I’ve always felt that I’ve had to prove I’m deserving of my fame; deserving of my career. I’ve never really felt like an artist or a musician; I’m constantly proving and re-proving that I can do this. I don’t think I really give myself credit in my own mind, and with this last album I was determined to do something so different that people could see that there was enough talent in the song-writing and production ability to do anything.
To keep yourself sane in an industry that can be so mentally taxing, is to have the ability to divorce yourself from your public persona. When I’m at home I’m just Danny; I don’t have anything that will tell you I’m a singer. There are no pictures of me on stage, no posters, no tour memorabilia. I think it’s important to be able to let go in a place where you feel safe, where you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. We’ve all seen what fame can do to people; it’s in the media every single day. There isn’t much that can prepare you for that, but finding a balance can really make all the difference in the world.
Take It From Me:
❑ Never let praise go to your head and never let criticism go to your heart.
❑ Be honest enough with yourself to listen to criticism.
❑ If you can’t let it go, you can’t move on.
❑ Have a place where you can be yourself
❑ Don’t let the hate consume you, keep believing in yourself. …
