Originals vs. Doubles

I’ve come across a couple of interesting quotes by two world-famous actresses of the past. Ingrid Bergman said: “Be yourself. The world worships the original.” And these are Judy Garland’s words: “Always be a first version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” They have certainly been true originals, creating a personal, unmistakable style both in their acting careers and in their private lives. We are not here to judge their personal lives but only to admire their determination to be who they wanted to be, who they believed they should be. This is what mainly counts: to be honest towards yourself and only endeavor to express your convictions, your deepest feelings, without accepting to be conditioned by what others say or do. If you agree with them, no problem. But if you conform only in order to be accepted as “one of them”, you are betraying who you really are. You become a copy of somebody else, a fake double who will always be compared to the “original”. The above mentioned actresses will never be mistaken for someone else. But... think of the many Hollywood starlets who look all so alike that you can’t even distinguish one from another. Same hair, same lips, same body, same smile… So much for originality!