Every industry has its myths—stories insiders repeat until they sound like truth. But behind the slogans and the spin are unspoken (and sometimes unnoticed) realities – we asked some of the wisest folks we know to share what lies they’ve noticed in their industries.
AG ORLOZ
In the film and media industry, I’ve done a few things in reverse order, like the hands of a clock going backward. First, I never needed a professional headshot to land first acting roles: although it is a common requirement, sometimes, one door oppened the second. Read more>>
Diego Patino
We all lie to ourselves and try to say it’s ‘okay’ to be overworked just because you are ‘on the road’….touring takes and gives, and yes it is AMAZING that some of us get to do it…But in the end, I think we gotta take care of the person that we are off stage because when the lights are off.. Read more>>
Matt Francis
That streaming numbers and monthly listeners are a direct correlation to popularity and fandom. We’re all salmon swimming upstream to get people to listen on DSPs but really those streams go to the top 1% of artists. And I’ve seen contemporaries with tens of thousands of streams that play shows around town to barely anyone. Read more>>
Neysa Garcia-Muhammad
My industry loves competitor analysis. It’s like building a business model around stalking an ex and it doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t see competitors as obstacles, I see them as evidence that my business is viable and usually find ways that we can work together. I know what my competitors are doing because I’m rooting for them and believe in them. Read more>>
Professor Majïç
“There is no money in music” is a phrase I’ve heard way too often in the music industry that I find ironically hilarious. Why would any one in their right mind start a record label or invest in music catalogs if that were actually the case. Recently major corporations have invested billions in acquiring rights. Read more>>
Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino
One of the biggest lies in the personal finance industry is the belief that financial security is simply a reflection of individual choices. Too often, the industry ignores the systemic factors that shape people’s ability to build wealth and use money to support their well-being. Read more>>
Dawn Raven
That we are not enough! Pretty enough, talented enough, worthy enough, popular enough, all the enoughs! Rejection is the biggest part of my industry as an actress. This career is what feels like 99%rejection, especially at the stage I’m in my career- decades in! But it is all a lie! Read more>>
Jewel Zimmer
The health and wellness industry has a lot of influence, often suggesting that there is a one size fits all solution or a quick fix. Whether it’s a pharmaceutical or a supplement, there is no quick fix to health. While consistent and targeted supplementation are abaokutrd to reaching your desired health goals, there is more “work” involved. Read more>>
GIRLSTUPID
That the silly little songs you make about beans and space cadets wont get you anywhere. Then suddenly you’re in a girl group with one guy performing at a Marcus King Band festival across the country... Read more>>
Stefano Ashridge
One is either born with talent or not.’ Truth: Talent is developed by putting in the work. “One method works for everyone.” Truth: Every student learns differently; copying a rigid curriculum often fails. “You must start young to be good.” Truth: Adults can learn just as deeply (sometimes faster if they’re motivated). Read more>>
Noam Dromi
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that success is linear. That if you’re talented and work hard, the wins will stack up in a predictable way. The reality is far messier. I’ve had ventures collapse, companies fail, and projects I believed in that never made it past development. At times, that made me want to walk away entirely. Read more>>
Ashley Hawkins
That’s there’s only room for one person to succeed. Being in the entertainment world., it’s so competitive and so much pressure to become the greatest. Although that’s great, a lot of people miss their mark because the industry paints this false picture of what success looks like and if your not striving for that, then you won’t ever make it. Read more>>
Jesse Childs
I think the biggest lie the entertainment industry tells itself is that Black Art (music, film, TV, etc) doesn’t have international appeal. This is especially true for the movie industry. I think Hip-Hop has proven that an American art form rooted in Black culture can become a dominant global force. Read more>>
Sara Naheedy
That litigation is always the answer. The truth is, most real estate disputes can and should be resolved before they ever reach a courtroom. Mediation, when done early and with the right preparation, can save clients significant time, money, and stress while still protecting their interests. Read more>>
