Bettis - Living Creatively Successfully by Dr Drew Albright

Thu, 1 May 2008 15:07:19 -0400

As this is our Living Creative issue of Beyond Elite Magazine, I hunted down the pop star, the dancer, and the actor, Bettis for an interview, as in my exposure to Bettis over the years in South Florida, and now L.A., I know Bettis to be the posterchild for living creatively, and I wanted to know to what he attributed his vast success, especially when we have all seen others in entertainment fall by the wayside. Our interview took place over the phone with him driving on the road to Orlando, accompanied by sleeping and long time friend John Lowe, on his way to a brief and well-earned respite in his schedule before returning to L.A. to perform.

I wasn’t surprised to find that with fans anxiously awaiting his pop / R&B debut album soon to release next year, and as a top ranked choreographer and dancer sought out by the world’s biggest names, and with more acting projects on the way, that Bettis has some definite views on what it is to live creatively successfully, and to the great benefit of our Beyond Elite readers, he is willing to share these ideas about his own success to assist others.

Photos by Julian Murray
Wardrobe Jimmy Star Label & provided by The World of Jimmy Star

Like many of the most successful people in the world, Bettis wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, or surrounded by people who comprehended his ideas for a career path. His parents’ desire for a marine or a baseball player was a far cry from Bettis’ own, and from very early on he had the gumption to set upon his own way, singing, dancing, performing, and then turning to teach others his successful creative techniques even as a young teenager in highschool. This is how he found a camrade in Louise Batista, a cheerleading choreographer for whom he created some routines. She saw his talent and drive immediately, resulting in the two of them working collaboratively together in forwarding his huge career ever since.

Bettis has always seen it as up to him to define himself and create his own niche. As such, his music is an entirely hands on creation, from lyrics to beat to melody to arrangements, his performances are entirely self-created, and his empire of branding is entirely self-made and true. Bettis is a young mogul and doesn’t leave anything to chance or a non-interested parties’ discretion. Bettis hasn’t and won’t sell himself out in an industry that has been crazed to swallow a talent like him up over the years as they did the less-talented Britney Spears. Bettis has also been consistently willing to invest in the best of the best entertainment educators and service providers to work with him and continue to push his own envelope, similar to Madonna collaborating with the hottest talents of the day. “If you want to be serious about your craft, you have to know all the techniques behind it,” says Bettis, whose recent work with acting guru Bobbie Chance, acting coach to stars like Anthony Hopkins, is just one example. Resting on his laurels or past successes just isn’t Bettis’ style. He is always looking to top himself and is always onto the next project.

In talking with Bettis you get a sense of wisdom beyond his years, showing to me that he has had his nose to the grindstone and has been a veritable sponge of learning throughout his career. When I ask him what he thinks people don’t comprehend about the entertainment industry, Bettis replies, “At the end of the day, this business is show business, it’s a business, its not ‘showlove’ or ‘I just want to do my best and hope i [get noticed]’.... It’s not always about flat out talent, it’s about the guy that is responsible and shows up for work and is experienced. A lot of creative people don’t grasp that there is a business side to it, too.” Bettis continues, “On top of that you need raw drive.... You need to want it that much more than anyone else. Sometimes you hear untalented people on the radio and see untalented actors in the movies, but the reason they got there is that they were driven. You know at the end of the day, the last man standing is the one who gets the job.”

A mix of cultures himself, and with a look that is very exotically sexy, Bettis always gets asked where he’s from (New York) and what his heritage is (mostly Latin), and often gets mistaken (and discriminated against) for being whatever the race is not to be at the time! Bettis takes it all in stride, is happy with himself, is aware of ignorance, and doesn’t let it or anything else deter him. Bettis says, “I attribute my drive to being told, ‘No’ my whole life.... I like being told, ‘You can’t.’ I like the challenge,” and he simply works that much harder to accomplish his goals. “I think failing is one of the biggest parts of success. People are so afraid to try and take that risk so they don’t get to the next level.”

Bettis’ songs reflect his pleasure in living, and his mixed heritage, with lively and sexy pop beats sometimes infused with latin rhythms, sometimes with old school rap (like his songwriting collaborations with Butta P), sometimes with hyper modern electronics, and always with his signature smooth sexy vocals. Bettis says his music “reflects my love of music” and that it is important to do what you like, and he says to other performers to remember that “The journey is the best part of it all. You have to appreciate it as you are going.”

In summary, when I ask Bettis if he has considered what sets him apart as having been successful in living his creative pursuits where others have not, he replies that, “Nine out of ten people aren’t willing to sacrifice. A lot of people with a lot of talent don’t have the willingness to cut the umbilical cord to their [old] lives, their security, their comfort. They are not willing to take chances, to risk.... If someone does not pave the way for them, they won’t go for it.” And it is crystal clear that all of Bettis’ success has come from pure drive, talent, and hard work, with no short cuts or special connections to speak of. Bettis says, “Living creatively means enjoying what you’re doing and not accepting what everybody else tells you that you have to do. Life isn’t about doing what you are told, it’s doing what you want to do, and as long as you’re not hurting other people, that’s living creatively. If you lay your head on the pillow at night, and you’re not happy, you’re the one who has to live with that. You have to be happy and I think living creatively allows you to do that.”

Even Bettis’ answering machine message says, “The one thing I’ve learned is life is what you make of it...” so is it any surprise that Bettis plans to live to well over one hundred years of age, and has it all mapped out, leading to eventually being a talent producer to further share his knowledge and assist others in developing their talent? It’s no surprise to me, and with a history of results like his, I have no doubt he will.

To contact Bettis, visit his myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/165277615 or email Louise Batista at batistalouise@yahoo.com

Dr. Drew Albright is the Managing Editor for Beyond Elite Magazine, an Intellectual Overseer who is the Manager of Operations for The World of Jimmy Star, Dean of Academic Studies at the Institute for Reality Studies, President of the International Realist Thinking and Arts Renaissance, and a Realist. For more information about Dr. Drew Albright, visit www.drewalbright.com or email her at da@drewalbright.com.

Megacon 2008 Totally Rocked by Dr Jimmy Star

Thu, 1 May 2008 14:24:10 -0400

Megacon 2008... cool as hell!!! On the weekend of March 7-9, 2008, Orlando played host to the most fantastic comic/anime/gaming convention in the southeastern United States!! There were exhibitors selling everything imaginable, panels and presentations, comic book artists with special guest Joe Quesada, the Editor-in-Chief of Marvel comics, a concert from singer/songwriter Voltaire, and the coolest media stars on the planet.

This show had tremendous media guests, and they did not disappoint. Several of the stars are clients of The World of Jimmy Star, and dressing them for their meet and greets is always a ton of fun. Check out the pics of the celebs wearing their one-of-a-kind Jimmy Star art-to-wear pieces.

Highlights of the weekend was chilling with Kyle Schmid, star of several movies including The Cheetah Girls, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Joyride 2, out later this year, and the star of the Lifetime Channel vampire show Blood Ties. This dude is way fucking cool, and totally rocked Jimmy Star Label throughout the weekend. Another way cool guest was Kristy Swanson, star of the cinema cult flick Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Eighties icon Gil Gerard of Buck Rogers fame was there, as well as Adrian Pasdar from Heroes and one of the coolest dudes you will ever meet, Steve Bacic, star of every successful sci-fi show of the last 5 years. I also got to hang out with Mark Goddard from Lost in Space, Erin Gray from Buck Rogers, Dylan Neal from Blood Ties and Dawson’s Creek, and Erica Durance from Smallville. Everyone was extremely cool and a fabulous to work with.

There were tons of people dressed up as Japanese anime characters, as well as parties, costume contests, and the Japanese rock band Vidoll, who caused such a commotion with the thousands of fans lining up to meet them, but who were absolutely cool as shit and very appreciative of all the attention. Megacon takes place every March, and I highly recommend attending next year’s event for a fun and relaxing weekend that you will remember forever!!!

Peace out, Jimmy Star

Dr. Jimmy Star is The Creative Director of Beyond Elite Magazine,The Celebrity Renaissance Man and Fashion, Entertainment and Media Mogul of the Jimmy Star Label, The World of Jimmy Star fashion and entertainment company, The World of Jimmy Star Publications media company, and a Performance Specialist at the Institute for Reality Studies. For more information about Dr. Jimmy Star, visit www.jimmystar.com or email jimmystar@jimmystar.com.

Out and About with The World of Jimmy Star by Dr Drew Albright

Thu, 1 May 2008 08:25:55 -0400

Up to all our usual tricks, The World of Jimmy Star has been very busy this quarter, what with the huge momentum and cult following of the “Jimmy Star is THE SHIT!!!” video series, and the screening of the “Work of Art” moving starring Jimmy Star, and our Megacon 2008 escapades in Orlando, and our favorite dance star Ozzie tying the knot, and gallery showings by our favorite artist John Salko, and and and! Check out all the fun images, and if you aren’t in any, next time join us as we are advancing our Arts Renaissance and invite the cool, the bold, the daring to bring their creativity to the mix!

Dr. Drew Albright is the Managing Editor for Beyond Elite Magazine, an Intellectual Overseer who is the Manager of Operations for The World of Jimmy Star, Dean of Academic Studies at the Institute for Reality Studies, President of the International Realist Thinking and Arts Renaissance, and a Realist. For more information about Dr. Drew Albright, visit www.drewalbright.com or email her at da@drewalbright.com.