Why We Love Entertainment
Derek Jeter. Adam Sandler. Jane Curtin. Will Sasso. Christina Vidal. Ella Grace Helton.
A mere list of names. Perhaps you recognize a few.
- Derek: One of the greatest baseball players ever, in an elite club with 3,000 hits, now co-owner and CEO of the Miami Marlins.
- Adam: One of the most renowned comedic content creators.
- Jane: Trailblazer for female comedians, original cast member of Saturday Night Live and two-time Emmy winner.
- Will: Career comedian and prolific actor across TV and film.
- Christina: Career spans over two decades of film and TV.
- Ella: 6-year-old from Brevard County who has worked with all of them. AKA my kid.
WHAAAAAT! That’s how I feel sometimes when there’s time to stop and think about things. Which often there isn’t.
It’s a good thing I’ve never been starstruck. Having worked in journalism covering sports at the highest levels, people asked if I got autographs or photos with people I interviewed. Ethics, and my personality, wouldn’t allow it. It’s tacky if not done right. But that also was prior to today’s world of incessant digital sharing.
If you’ve followed my EverythingBrevard editor’s notes, or follow Ella on social media, you know this little kid is living one incredulous adventure. Well, so am I, since she needs a chaperone. In July, she shot a commercial about her very own business, Ella Bella Beads, with Derek. It’s actively airing on TV, along with a radio spot, for American Family Insurance.
In August, she shot a scene with THE Adam Sandler for his latest film for Netflix. It’s Halloween-themed and going to be a holiday classic.
In September, we head back to Los Angeles for Ella to shoot season 1 of the sitcom “United We Fall,” in which she stars (WHAAAAT!) alongside Jane (grandma), Will (dad) and Christina (mom). We officially are bicoastal.
I treasure getting to stand behind the crews on sets, watching Ella do her thing. I ALWAYS get asked how she got started in “this.” Ella liked to sing + dance + make expressive faces + most of all, elicit responses = Entertain.
I used to wonder why this world holds actors, musical stars and athletes on pedestals. Why is there such a demand to spy on their lives that it birthed a profession called paparazzi? Why do people ask for autographs and fight just to catch a glimpse?
My dad once told me when I was young that even when the economy is bad, people will spend money on a ticket to a concert or the movies. Entertainment reigns supreme. It makes us smile, helps us escape. Entertainment makes us feel good.
As mother to a tiny entertainer, it’s been fun to meet some of Ella’s entertaining friends.
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