What is so weird is that young people who want to be

Opening Scene
The room feels quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind outside filtering through the windows. Jack and Jeeny sit side by side at the kitchen table, their mugs of tea resting between them. The gentle flicker of the candle adds warmth to the atmosphere, while the shadows stretch across the walls as the evening deepens. There’s a calm energy in the room, but a sense of curiosity and contemplation hangs in the air, waiting for the conversation to unfold.

Host: The stillness in the room is almost reflective, as if the words they are about to discuss hold deeper meaning than the surface might show. Jeeny looks at Jack, her expression thoughtful, before she speaks, her voice gentle but with a touch of concern.

Jeeny: (softly, her voice reflective) “I came across something Joan Collins said, and it really got me thinking. She said, ‘What is so weird is that young people who want to be ‘celebrities’ do not want to put in the hard work. They don’t want to do the training, go to drama school, read Shakespeare, try different accents and study technique. They just want to be famous. It is not just in England; it’s the same in America and all over Europe.’ Isn’t that an interesting thought?”

Jack: (nodding slowly, his voice calm) “It really is. The idea that fame has become the end goal, rather than a byproduct of real hard work, is something we see a lot now. So many young people are focused on becoming celebrities without truly understanding the effort and dedication it takes to get there. Collins is pointing out the lack of commitment to the craft, the depth that comes with it.”

Jeeny: (smiling faintly, her voice gentle) “Exactly. It’s as though the concept of ‘fame’ has been reduced to something superficial — something that’s about appearance, social media presence, or viral moments, rather than the years of effort it takes to master a craft. Whether it’s acting, music, or any field, the real work is in the training and the learning. And that’s where many young people seem to miss the point.”

Host: The soft flicker of the candle adds a quiet rhythm to the conversation, casting gentle light across their faces. The world outside feels distant, its noise muted by the calm in the room. Jack takes a slow sip of his tea, his mind clearly processing the weight of Collins’ words. Jeeny watches him, sensing the deeper understanding starting to form.

Jack: (his voice more contemplative, almost soft) “I think what strikes me is how fame, in today’s world, is seen as something immediate — something you can just achieve without the grind, the struggle, the long hours of practice. But real success, the kind that lasts, comes from dedication. You can’t skip the work and just expect to be great. You have to put in the time and effort. That’s where the real value lies, not in the fame itself, but in the journey to mastery.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice calm, almost with a knowing smile) “Exactly. And the irony is that without the work, without the foundation, the fame fades quickly. It’s like building a house on sand — it may look good for a while, but it won’t last. The people who put in the hard work, the study, the grit, they’re the ones who create a legacy, not just a quick flash of attention. They build something that endures.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepens, the weight of their words settling between them. The candlelight flickers softly, casting a peaceful glow as Jack and Jeeny sit in the quiet realization that true success is not about the instant gratification of fame, but about the commitment to the craft and the hard work that goes into it.

Jack: (smiling slightly, his voice reflective) “I think that’s the key, isn’t it? We’ve become so focused on the idea of fame, on the instant recognition, that we forget the true value of the process. The mastery of a craft isn’t built overnight — it’s built through continuous learning, failure, and growth. Fame can come from that, but it’s not the point. The point is the work itself.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice gentle, almost reassuring) “Yes, and the problem with chasing fame without the effort is that it’s fleeting. It’s empty. The joy, the fulfillment, comes from knowing you’ve worked hard, from seeing your progress, from knowing you’ve built something meaningful, whether or not anyone notices. And in the end, it’s that inner satisfaction that will last, long after the attention fades.”

Host: The quiet between them feels like a shared understanding now, the realization that true success, lasting success, is about much more than the superficial pursuit of fame. Jack and Jeeny sit in the gentle glow of the room, knowing that the real reward comes not from being recognized, but from the dedication to mastering something — to truly committing to the journey.

Jack: (with a small, thoughtful smile) “It’s a reminder, isn’t it? That the journey is just as important as the destination. Fame may come, but it’s the effort we put in every day that shapes us.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice affirming) “Exactly. The work, the dedication — that’s what defines us. The fame is just a side effect, but the growth, the learning, that’s what truly stays with us.”

Host: The evening stretches on, but the room feels calmer, filled with the quiet understanding that real success is built from the inside out — through effort, dedication, and the pursuit of mastery. Jack and Jeeny sit in the peaceful realization that fame may come from hard work, but it is the commitment to the craft that makes success meaningful.