STUDENT PROFILE
Name: Michael MentaAge: 21 years old (born July 17, 1988)
Occupation: Student at New York University, studying dramatic writing and journalism
On becoming a journalism student: I was looking for another major and I took an art criticism class while studying abroad in London. So I thought I could be a critic and that would go with my dramatic writing major. And then I had to squeeze in journalism because I started it so late [into college].
Potential future careers: I could maybe still be an art critic. It’s possible.
On fame and (not wanting to be) desiring fame: I don’t want to want to be famous, but I do want to be famous. I think it would be unpleasant though because you will always be disappointed with [being famous]. So I do want to be famous but that’s unfortunate.
What will make him famous: I would like to produce something or be famous for my writing. I don’t need worldwide fame. I used to act, but unless somehow I ride on someone’s coattails, I’m not going to be a famous actor. I wouldn’t want to be famous for acting anyway. I would want fame for writing.
Who he believes to be the hardest working famous people: I think politicians are the hardest working famous people. There’s a lot of wheeling and dealing so you’re going to have to compromise your ideology sometimes, which doesn’t seem easy at all. Also, people in academia who become famous are probably some of the hardest working people.
Who he believes works to the hardest to be famous: I think that actors work the hardest to be famous above all else. It’s necessary to them, even if their fame is limited, it gets them some kind of notoriety.
Celebrity he most admires: Daniel Day Lewis. He is respected in his industry and he’s famous for definitive reasons.
Favorite celebrity: Larry David because he failed a lot when he was younger and it wasn’t until Seinfeld that he had any real fame or recognized achievement. He seems like a humble guy.
Most hated type of celebrity: I don’t really like most reality show people. I also don’t like Carlos Mencia. I think he is really abrasive. So, I used to watch his show to see if he’d be funny that night and I was constantly disappointed. I can’t understand the appeal.
Celebrity he would most like to switch bodies with: George Clooney seems really, continually content with his life. He works the Hollywood system and seems pretty independent. Realistically, I’d be more like Woody Allen.
People he thinks should be more famous: I’m not sure I would wish fame on anybody. You’d like to see everyday heroes get recognition. They do get attention around major events but I wouldn’t wish fame upon them all the time.
Words he associates with fame: “Media attention.”
Negative feelings on fame: I don’t think it’s pleasant to be famous. I’m not famous so I can’t say for sure but when you’re a person who’s scrutinized all the time, you can’t get out of it anymore. You can’t live normally because you’ll always be given attention, unless you just slip into nothingness.
Success vs. Fame: There is a difference between fame and success. You can be famous and successful but you can also be famous and unsuccessful, or not famous and successful.
These photos are for a story I am currently working on for my advanced reporting class. I am doing a profile on Karla Garcia, a former competitor on the reality show "So You Think You Can Dance." She is currently a contemporary dance teacher. As part of my reporting, I decided to take one of her classes to add some color to the story.
