Post by Jazmyn Rain on Jan 7, 2018 22:09:48 GMT -5
“The Price of Stardom”
Opening Thoughts
Jazmyn Rain: When I made the decision that I wanted to become a professional wrestler, I based that decision on the fact that I felt like the sport would be my purpose in this life. I admit, it’s one of the more unique ways to be inspired, but the sport captivated me to the point where I felt like it could very much be my life’s calling. It was awkward explaining that to my family, but thankfully, they were able to understand. I wasn’t thinking about being a wrestling star. Sure, I wanted to win championships like anyone else in this business would, but I never really imagined that being a world champion, for example, would be so difficult.
Then, in May of 2012, I had my first world championship match ever. I remember all of the hype behind me and how all of the fans and my family and my friends all believed in me to win and I definitely felt like my time was about to arrive. I truly thought that I would rise to the occasion. And then… it all came crashing down due to interference that day and I felt like I let everyone down. Try as I did, I could not get over that loss and well… let’s just say the downward spiral happened after that. I had so much hype behind me and I failed to live up to it.
Fast forward to November of 2015 in Denver, Colorado. Three and a half years later, I would finally win my first world championship in the GCW Global Championship. That was my dream! That’s all I wanted to do. But I didn’t realize how hard it would be. I didn’t realize that the critics would be harsher, the expectations would be higher and that with the championship, came the lack of privacy, the feeling of being overwhelmed, and almost losing yourself in it all and during my first title reign, I never exactly reached my full potential so when it got robbed from me, I hit the rock bottom of my GCW career.
Look, I hate to say it because it sounds so arrogant, but I know I’m a wrestling star in this business. My family, friends and fans say so and I won’t deny them that.
The thing is though…
I’m a reluctant one.
This isn’t what I wanted, but I won’t take anything away from those that believe that I am.
But still, while I’ve gotten better at it, I haven’t yet mastered how to deal with the spectacle of stardom… and if there’s an Achilles heel for me as a professional wrestler, that would be it…
Date: January 6, 2018
Jazmyn Rain is in Cleveland, a few hours after she had taped her first on-camera promotion for Homecoming. She’s a little more relaxed as she takes an outdoor stroll in the vicinity of downtown, but this time she isn’t alone as her friend Camryn Rourke made the journey to Cleveland, hoping to catch Jazmyn win her very first championship in New Generation Wrestling. After walking for a while, the two stop at a street intersection surrounded by largely shopping outlets.
Camryn: Wow! I didn’t think there’d be so much stuff to do in Cleveland.
Jazmyn: Well, there IS a parade going on today.
Camryn: Really now? For what?
Jazmyn: Um… well… it’s not exactly a positive one considering it’s to “celebrate” the Browns going winless.
Camryn: Oh… yikes.
Jazmyn: Hey, let’s split up and conquer all these shopping outlets! I know it’s not as fun as say… a parade… but still!
Camryn: I’m okay with it if you are.
Jazmyn: I suggested the idea, why wouldn’t I be okay with it?
Camryn: I’m just saying: are you sure it’s a good idea to go anywhere around here by yourself?
Jazmyn: It’s daylight, Cammie.
Camryn: No, I’m not talking about getting mugged or anything like that. I’m talking about… you know… fans. I know you love them and that’s great but you never know who may not be right up in the head, you know what I mean?
Jazmyn: Don’t worry. I’m one of them.
Jazmyn winks and chuckles.
Camryn: Alright, Jaz. Meet back here in a half hour?
Jazmyn: Sure!
The two friends smile at each other before they split up to do some shopping. Jazmyn doesn’t appear to be concerned at the moment as she makes a regular stroll, trying to figure out which outlet to shop at. However, as she walks along the street, trying to make her decision, she gets stopped by a young woman, about college age.
Young Woman: Are you Jazmyn Rain?
Jazmyn looks at the fan, somewhat started at being recognized.
Jazmyn: Yeah, I am.
Young Woman: Oh my GOD! You’re my favorite wrestler!
Jazmyn ends up catatonic for a split second, remembering the dream she had a few days prior, but she chuckles it off as a mere coincidence knowing that she’s had plenty of fan encounters like this one before.
Jazmyn: I take it you want me to sign something?
Young Woman: Oh god! Yes! That would be lovely. Here…
The fan pulls out a silver Sharpie from her purse and pulls out a coffee mug. Jazmyn thinks nothing of it, smiling as she removes the cap from the Sharpie and signs her name on the mug. She hands it back to her with a smile.
Young Woman: Thank you so much! This made my weekend!
Jazmyn: No problem!
The two part ways after that and Jazmyn walks for a little longer, finally finding a store that she likes. She walks in and there are two cashiers on opposite sides of her, one male and one female. Their eyes light up at the sight of her.
Male Cashier: HOLY CRAP! It’s Jazmyn Rain.
Jazmyn gives a nervous chuckle.
Female Cashier: Our manager LOVES you! Hey, you’re going to win the Five Lakes Championship tomorrow right?
Jazmyn (thinking): Oh no… just like my dream…
Jazmyn is now starting to be a little worried realizing that things are playing out like they did in her dream in real life.
Male Cashier: You’re going to hold the GCW Global Championship all the way to Resurrection, right?
Jazmyn: Um… yeah…
Female Cashier: You don’t seem so confident in that.
Male Cashier: Are you okay?
Jazmyn: I left my credit card in my car. I’ll be right back.
Jazmyn leaves the store, walking away from it as fast as she can. But on the inside, she’s already panicking.
Jazmyn (thinking): Oh no! This can’t be happening! My dream can’t be coming to life! Just dreaming this was bad enough. But LIVING it? Oh god!
Jazmyn’s thoughts continue to race as she walks down the street. However, another fan, holding an iPhone, approaches her.
iPhone fan: JAZMYN RAIN! Hey, can I get a picture with you?
Voice: Back off idiot!
A fan with an Android phone is coming their way and Jazmyn’s eyes widen in shock as she’s definitely in panic mode now.
Android fan: I saw her first!
Jazmyn (thinking): No… no… NO!!!!
iPhone: Take a picture with me!
Android fan: No… ME!
Jazmyn: I… um… sorry….
Jazmyn turns and hurriedly walks away, worried that just like her dream, two more fans are going to want to show up to take pictures of her. She buries her face in the inside of her coat, leaving just her eyes uncovered, so people don’t recognize her in the street.
Jazmyn (thinking): I have to get out of here! I have to get out of here!
Jazmyn continues to hurriedly walk away, looking down on the sidewalk and not up ahead. However, she ends up crashing into another person and both of them fall right on the sidewalk!
Jazmyn: OW!
Camryn: Holy CRAP! Do you not realize where you’re going? What are you in a hurry for? The Browns’s misery isn’t leaving Cleveland anytime soon!
Surprised by seeing Camryn again, Jazmyn pulls down her jacket revealing her face and surprising Camryn.
Camryn: Jaz?
Camryn gets up, bewildered by the moment.
Camryn: Are you alright?
Camryn extends her hand to Jazmyn and Jazmyn grabs it to allow herself to be pulled up.
Jazmyn: No…
Camryn: What happened? What are you in such a rush for?
Jazmyn: It’s… it’s complicated, okay?
Camryn: You didn’t run into crazy fans, did you?
Jazmyn: I didn’t. But gosh, everywhere I went, they wanted a piece of me and things were playing out just as they were in my dream that I told you about the other night. One fan became two fans asking me questions and they were about to turn into four fans wanting me to have a picture with them… it’s just… oh my god… this is too much! This can’t be happening to me again.
Camryn: What are you talking about, Jazmyn? What can’t be happening again? Your dream?
Jazmyn: No. Not even that. Remember when I had my first ever world title match five and a half years ago and everyone and their mothers thought I was going to win, and then I didn’t and I let everyone else down and… and….
Jazmyn is so stressed out to the point that she is nearly hyperventilating. Camryn sees this and grabs her at the shoulders to try and calm her down.
Camryn: Jaz, get ahold of yourself. It’s not going to happen again, even if you do lose to Jack Tillman. You’re not letting anyone down. I know things happened years ago, but you’re so much stronger now. There’s no need to be freaking out over a dream you had a few nights ago and fans everywhere wanting a piece of you.
Jazmyn: It’s not just fans. All of these businesses and companies want to have me be a spokesperson for them and it’s just too much. It’s gotten to a point where seemingly anyone and everyone has heard of me. I don’t know how much of this I can take on! I don’t know what to do to overcome this… I guess fear… of letting other people down. It’s too much at once, Cammie. I don’t know what to do.
Jazmyn’s eyes start to glisten again as she’s really becoming distressed.
Camryn: Well you’re going to have to do something because this is comes with the territory, especially for someone as successful and marketable as you are.
Jazmyn: I KNOW… but… I don’t… I don’t know how to deal with this!
Camryn: Ever considered having an agent?
Jazmyn: I’ve never had one.
Camryn: Maybe you should think about having one.
Jazmyn: Yeah, but who though? I’m not exactly interested in anyone with the last name “Mason” with all due respect to Jessica Sears and all, and Eddie Walker has too much on his plate as is. Not to mention that all the old managers from back in my earlier career have all moved on to other things with their lives. Who could I possibly have as an agent and what difference would they make?
Camryn: You don’t need to look far for an agent, Jazmyn.
Jazmyn: I don’t
Camryn: No. Because you have one right in front of you if you want one!
Jazmyn’s eyes widen with surprise, instantly realizing what Camryn is attempting to suggest.
Jazmyn: Wait… Cammie… are you sure about this?
Camryn: Hey, remember when we were in college and you made your run for student body representative and nobody on campus knew who you were because your self-esteem made you shy? Who put your campaign together and helped you get elected?
Jazmyn: Oh yeah… I DO remember.
Jazmyn smiles, remembering that happy time.
Jazmyn: You were so good being a campaign manager and all and I suppose I could use some help to not be such an “unheralded unknown” in NGW anymore…
Camryn: And remember going into your first world title match ever who put the Jazmyn Rain Rooting Section together for you that night?
Jazmyn: Oh gosh… yeah. Shame I let them down though.
Camryn: Stop it! You did not let them down. Look, we both can kill two birds with one stone here. I want to be closer to you and you want some of that workload and pressure to be off of your shoulders. If you let me be an agent of sorts, then both things are accomplished. All YOU have to worry about is what goes on between those ropes. I’ll handle everything else: the public relations affairs, business relations, marketing and all of that stuff. This way, all you need to worry about is the wrestling. Let your “burden” of dealing with your stardom fall on MY shoulders. I’m not saying I’ll make you NGW World Champion. That’s your specialty. But if you let me help you, you won’t be stressed out. What do you say?
Jazmyn: Well…
Jazmyn stops and thinks about it for a few seconds. She doesn’t want to risk possibly putting one of her friends in the line of fire from her peers in NGW and GCW, but she knows it comes with the territory. Jazmyn takes a deep breath and nods.
Jazmyn: Okay. I know what you can do so if you want to deal with that, deal with that. Anything to help!
Camryn: Perfect! No worries, I’ll figure this puzzle out for you. For now, let’s have some fun, alright?
Jazmyn smiles and nods, already feeling the relief of the fact that not everything will be on her shoulders anymore. She and Camryn stick together as they shop for a few hours. Jazmyn doesn’t quite know how this arrangement will really work out, but what she does know is that Camryn has been a huge help before and she’ll be so again at a point in her star-crossed career that she definitely needs it to have that valuable work-life balance she’s constantly struggled to have throughout her career.
Opening Thoughts
Jazmyn Rain: When I made the decision that I wanted to become a professional wrestler, I based that decision on the fact that I felt like the sport would be my purpose in this life. I admit, it’s one of the more unique ways to be inspired, but the sport captivated me to the point where I felt like it could very much be my life’s calling. It was awkward explaining that to my family, but thankfully, they were able to understand. I wasn’t thinking about being a wrestling star. Sure, I wanted to win championships like anyone else in this business would, but I never really imagined that being a world champion, for example, would be so difficult.
Then, in May of 2012, I had my first world championship match ever. I remember all of the hype behind me and how all of the fans and my family and my friends all believed in me to win and I definitely felt like my time was about to arrive. I truly thought that I would rise to the occasion. And then… it all came crashing down due to interference that day and I felt like I let everyone down. Try as I did, I could not get over that loss and well… let’s just say the downward spiral happened after that. I had so much hype behind me and I failed to live up to it.
Fast forward to November of 2015 in Denver, Colorado. Three and a half years later, I would finally win my first world championship in the GCW Global Championship. That was my dream! That’s all I wanted to do. But I didn’t realize how hard it would be. I didn’t realize that the critics would be harsher, the expectations would be higher and that with the championship, came the lack of privacy, the feeling of being overwhelmed, and almost losing yourself in it all and during my first title reign, I never exactly reached my full potential so when it got robbed from me, I hit the rock bottom of my GCW career.
Look, I hate to say it because it sounds so arrogant, but I know I’m a wrestling star in this business. My family, friends and fans say so and I won’t deny them that.
The thing is though…
I’m a reluctant one.
This isn’t what I wanted, but I won’t take anything away from those that believe that I am.
But still, while I’ve gotten better at it, I haven’t yet mastered how to deal with the spectacle of stardom… and if there’s an Achilles heel for me as a professional wrestler, that would be it…
Date: January 6, 2018
Jazmyn Rain is in Cleveland, a few hours after she had taped her first on-camera promotion for Homecoming. She’s a little more relaxed as she takes an outdoor stroll in the vicinity of downtown, but this time she isn’t alone as her friend Camryn Rourke made the journey to Cleveland, hoping to catch Jazmyn win her very first championship in New Generation Wrestling. After walking for a while, the two stop at a street intersection surrounded by largely shopping outlets.
Camryn: Wow! I didn’t think there’d be so much stuff to do in Cleveland.
Jazmyn: Well, there IS a parade going on today.
Camryn: Really now? For what?
Jazmyn: Um… well… it’s not exactly a positive one considering it’s to “celebrate” the Browns going winless.
Camryn: Oh… yikes.
Jazmyn: Hey, let’s split up and conquer all these shopping outlets! I know it’s not as fun as say… a parade… but still!
Camryn: I’m okay with it if you are.
Jazmyn: I suggested the idea, why wouldn’t I be okay with it?
Camryn: I’m just saying: are you sure it’s a good idea to go anywhere around here by yourself?
Jazmyn: It’s daylight, Cammie.
Camryn: No, I’m not talking about getting mugged or anything like that. I’m talking about… you know… fans. I know you love them and that’s great but you never know who may not be right up in the head, you know what I mean?
Jazmyn: Don’t worry. I’m one of them.
Jazmyn winks and chuckles.
Camryn: Alright, Jaz. Meet back here in a half hour?
Jazmyn: Sure!
The two friends smile at each other before they split up to do some shopping. Jazmyn doesn’t appear to be concerned at the moment as she makes a regular stroll, trying to figure out which outlet to shop at. However, as she walks along the street, trying to make her decision, she gets stopped by a young woman, about college age.
Young Woman: Are you Jazmyn Rain?
Jazmyn looks at the fan, somewhat started at being recognized.
Jazmyn: Yeah, I am.
Young Woman: Oh my GOD! You’re my favorite wrestler!
Jazmyn ends up catatonic for a split second, remembering the dream she had a few days prior, but she chuckles it off as a mere coincidence knowing that she’s had plenty of fan encounters like this one before.
Jazmyn: I take it you want me to sign something?
Young Woman: Oh god! Yes! That would be lovely. Here…
The fan pulls out a silver Sharpie from her purse and pulls out a coffee mug. Jazmyn thinks nothing of it, smiling as she removes the cap from the Sharpie and signs her name on the mug. She hands it back to her with a smile.
Young Woman: Thank you so much! This made my weekend!
Jazmyn: No problem!
The two part ways after that and Jazmyn walks for a little longer, finally finding a store that she likes. She walks in and there are two cashiers on opposite sides of her, one male and one female. Their eyes light up at the sight of her.
Male Cashier: HOLY CRAP! It’s Jazmyn Rain.
Jazmyn gives a nervous chuckle.
Female Cashier: Our manager LOVES you! Hey, you’re going to win the Five Lakes Championship tomorrow right?
Jazmyn (thinking): Oh no… just like my dream…
Jazmyn is now starting to be a little worried realizing that things are playing out like they did in her dream in real life.
Male Cashier: You’re going to hold the GCW Global Championship all the way to Resurrection, right?
Jazmyn: Um… yeah…
Female Cashier: You don’t seem so confident in that.
Male Cashier: Are you okay?
Jazmyn: I left my credit card in my car. I’ll be right back.
Jazmyn leaves the store, walking away from it as fast as she can. But on the inside, she’s already panicking.
Jazmyn (thinking): Oh no! This can’t be happening! My dream can’t be coming to life! Just dreaming this was bad enough. But LIVING it? Oh god!
Jazmyn’s thoughts continue to race as she walks down the street. However, another fan, holding an iPhone, approaches her.
iPhone fan: JAZMYN RAIN! Hey, can I get a picture with you?
Voice: Back off idiot!
A fan with an Android phone is coming their way and Jazmyn’s eyes widen in shock as she’s definitely in panic mode now.
Android fan: I saw her first!
Jazmyn (thinking): No… no… NO!!!!
iPhone: Take a picture with me!
Android fan: No… ME!
Jazmyn: I… um… sorry….
Jazmyn turns and hurriedly walks away, worried that just like her dream, two more fans are going to want to show up to take pictures of her. She buries her face in the inside of her coat, leaving just her eyes uncovered, so people don’t recognize her in the street.
Jazmyn (thinking): I have to get out of here! I have to get out of here!
Jazmyn continues to hurriedly walk away, looking down on the sidewalk and not up ahead. However, she ends up crashing into another person and both of them fall right on the sidewalk!
Jazmyn: OW!
Camryn: Holy CRAP! Do you not realize where you’re going? What are you in a hurry for? The Browns’s misery isn’t leaving Cleveland anytime soon!
Surprised by seeing Camryn again, Jazmyn pulls down her jacket revealing her face and surprising Camryn.
Camryn: Jaz?
Camryn gets up, bewildered by the moment.
Camryn: Are you alright?
Camryn extends her hand to Jazmyn and Jazmyn grabs it to allow herself to be pulled up.
Jazmyn: No…
Camryn: What happened? What are you in such a rush for?
Jazmyn: It’s… it’s complicated, okay?
Camryn: You didn’t run into crazy fans, did you?
Jazmyn: I didn’t. But gosh, everywhere I went, they wanted a piece of me and things were playing out just as they were in my dream that I told you about the other night. One fan became two fans asking me questions and they were about to turn into four fans wanting me to have a picture with them… it’s just… oh my god… this is too much! This can’t be happening to me again.
Camryn: What are you talking about, Jazmyn? What can’t be happening again? Your dream?
Jazmyn: No. Not even that. Remember when I had my first ever world title match five and a half years ago and everyone and their mothers thought I was going to win, and then I didn’t and I let everyone else down and… and….
Jazmyn is so stressed out to the point that she is nearly hyperventilating. Camryn sees this and grabs her at the shoulders to try and calm her down.
Camryn: Jaz, get ahold of yourself. It’s not going to happen again, even if you do lose to Jack Tillman. You’re not letting anyone down. I know things happened years ago, but you’re so much stronger now. There’s no need to be freaking out over a dream you had a few nights ago and fans everywhere wanting a piece of you.
Jazmyn: It’s not just fans. All of these businesses and companies want to have me be a spokesperson for them and it’s just too much. It’s gotten to a point where seemingly anyone and everyone has heard of me. I don’t know how much of this I can take on! I don’t know what to do to overcome this… I guess fear… of letting other people down. It’s too much at once, Cammie. I don’t know what to do.
Jazmyn’s eyes start to glisten again as she’s really becoming distressed.
Camryn: Well you’re going to have to do something because this is comes with the territory, especially for someone as successful and marketable as you are.
Jazmyn: I KNOW… but… I don’t… I don’t know how to deal with this!
Camryn: Ever considered having an agent?
Jazmyn: I’ve never had one.
Camryn: Maybe you should think about having one.
Jazmyn: Yeah, but who though? I’m not exactly interested in anyone with the last name “Mason” with all due respect to Jessica Sears and all, and Eddie Walker has too much on his plate as is. Not to mention that all the old managers from back in my earlier career have all moved on to other things with their lives. Who could I possibly have as an agent and what difference would they make?
Camryn: You don’t need to look far for an agent, Jazmyn.
Jazmyn: I don’t
Camryn: No. Because you have one right in front of you if you want one!
Jazmyn’s eyes widen with surprise, instantly realizing what Camryn is attempting to suggest.
Jazmyn: Wait… Cammie… are you sure about this?
Camryn: Hey, remember when we were in college and you made your run for student body representative and nobody on campus knew who you were because your self-esteem made you shy? Who put your campaign together and helped you get elected?
Jazmyn: Oh yeah… I DO remember.
Jazmyn smiles, remembering that happy time.
Jazmyn: You were so good being a campaign manager and all and I suppose I could use some help to not be such an “unheralded unknown” in NGW anymore…
Camryn: And remember going into your first world title match ever who put the Jazmyn Rain Rooting Section together for you that night?
Jazmyn: Oh gosh… yeah. Shame I let them down though.
Camryn: Stop it! You did not let them down. Look, we both can kill two birds with one stone here. I want to be closer to you and you want some of that workload and pressure to be off of your shoulders. If you let me be an agent of sorts, then both things are accomplished. All YOU have to worry about is what goes on between those ropes. I’ll handle everything else: the public relations affairs, business relations, marketing and all of that stuff. This way, all you need to worry about is the wrestling. Let your “burden” of dealing with your stardom fall on MY shoulders. I’m not saying I’ll make you NGW World Champion. That’s your specialty. But if you let me help you, you won’t be stressed out. What do you say?
Jazmyn: Well…
Jazmyn stops and thinks about it for a few seconds. She doesn’t want to risk possibly putting one of her friends in the line of fire from her peers in NGW and GCW, but she knows it comes with the territory. Jazmyn takes a deep breath and nods.
Jazmyn: Okay. I know what you can do so if you want to deal with that, deal with that. Anything to help!
Camryn: Perfect! No worries, I’ll figure this puzzle out for you. For now, let’s have some fun, alright?
Jazmyn smiles and nods, already feeling the relief of the fact that not everything will be on her shoulders anymore. She and Camryn stick together as they shop for a few hours. Jazmyn doesn’t quite know how this arrangement will really work out, but what she does know is that Camryn has been a huge help before and she’ll be so again at a point in her star-crossed career that she definitely needs it to have that valuable work-life balance she’s constantly struggled to have throughout her career.
