an open letter to famous people in commercials

dear famous people in commercials,

stop it. you're famous already. you don't really need to be doing this. have you any integrity? did you lose it all on your climb to success? sure, there comes a time early in your career where you gotta take every scrap they feed you. but you made it. you're living good. i've seen your big houses and your fancy cars. you're good where you're at. stop selling little pieces of your reputation at every offer you receive to attach your name to yet another product they wanna cram down the rest of america's throat.

i like to think that when your journey began, deep down inside was an inner rebel artist child who wouldn't stop screaming, "I'LL NEVER SELL OUT!" and i know you still love that child. to some extent, it's what originally drove you to pursue whatever it is you pursue. you were gonna go out there and show the world what you're made of and do it your way and never compromise yourself as an individual.

and maybe you got soft along the way. but you're a success now. people want your autograph. you have a fan base. time to go back to your roots. people look up to you. isn't this what you wanted? to be recognized and appreciated? is that what you want your fans to appreciate? a sell out? is that your message? it's okay to sell stuff for corporations and help make them richer cuz they give you a decent paycheck to do it.

i'm sure easy money is great. maybe it's not even easy, maybe it's a moderately tough day of work but for a lot more money than you probably deserve. and that's a tough temptation to fight against. but in the end you gotta live with you. are you someone who is excellent at your craft or are you a poster boy (or girl) for products? you could try to juggle both i suppose, but every commercial you take part in is one more mark on your permanent record.

there's so many better things to stand for and be about in this life. your fame can be used for so many better purposes and how you decide to use your fame helps to define your legacy, if that's worth anything to you.