Qualifying as a Superstar

July 2003

QUESTION: Dear Jasmin,

I have been belly dancing for about four years now, and the more I learn and grow, the harder it is to find a good teacher, let alone a good role model. I guess that’s normal in any field, especially in the arts where the number of people who could be considered artists is always one in a thousand. I look up performers and instructors on the Internet all the time and I go to many shows trying to find the very best dancers. For me as an up-and-coming dancer, I want to know what the goal is and what is considered great dancing. I am looking to be inspired. Here is my problem, though: lots of dancers promote themselves as the ‘best’ and even have long, elaborate resumes but, when I see them dance, I am disappointed. There are even videos and CDs out there that claim certain dancers are ‘superstars’. I’d sure like to know who has the credentials to declare someone a ‘superstar’! What does it take to be considered a dancer of that high a level? Or is it just propaganda and smart advertising techniques? How can I really identify a great dancer? Please help! I don’t think I’m the only one out there feeling this frustrated!

Signed, Rising Star in L.A.

ADVICE: Dear Rising Star,

First of all, I want to commend you for constantly seeking a good role model in order to raise your standards and grow as a performer. That is fantastic to hear, as too many dancers have hardly a year of classes before they turn pro and consider themselves accomplished. I understand your frustration, too. Of course, the purpose of advertising, CD covers, video descriptions, show posters, internet sites and magazine reviews are to hype up the product (albeit the dancer, the event or the item) in order to make a sale. From personal experience, you know that not every dancer can be the finest, the best or the hottest. Just dig a little deeper and what might you find? That often someone who is hardly a well-known dancer within her own city happens to have a friend in the music industry and suddenly she is billed as the latest and greatest superstar and is pictured on the next new Arabic CD. Discerning dancers like yourself will be frequently disappointed because your high standards seek artistic inspiration instead of simple entertainment. Yet, I don’t want you to give up and lose belief that oriental dance can be dignified as an art form. I believe you should continue to search, continue to be a tough critic, and eventually you will come across someone (perhaps one who is less well-advertised!) who really is a superstar! Forget what the advertising says, and instead, believe your own good judgment. You know when you run across a performer who awes and inspires. And when you do, cling to that artist as your role model and maybe even a mentor. Remember that old story about the princess who had to kiss a lot of toads in order to find the one that would magically transform into her dream-come-true? Well, Rising Star, you are currently in the phase where you’ve been kissing a lot of toads! Someday your dream will come true. And who knows, someday maybe YOU will be someone else’s role model!

Patience and perseverance, Jasmin Jahal