---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Look at 'American Idol,' which I don't…"
description: "\"Look at 'American Idol,' which I don't look at. Those winners haven't become household names except for Jennifer Hudson, and she was a reject. You can'..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/andre-leon-talley-9560_aim_look-at-american-idol-which-i-don-t-look_3114249.png"
---

#  Look at 'American Idol,' which I don't look at. Those…

![“Look at 'American Idol,' which I don't look at. Those winners haven't become household names except for Jennifer Hudson, and she was a reject. You can't aim to be a household name. You just have to be successful.” quote by Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/andre-leon-talley-9560_aim_look-at-american-idol-which-i-don-t-look_3114249.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/andre-leon-talley-9560_aim_look-at-american-idol-which-i-don-t-look_3114249.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/andre-leon-talley-9560_aim_look-at-american-idol-which-i-don-t-look_3114249.png)

> “Look at 'American Idol,' which I don't look at. Those winners haven't become household names except for Jennifer Hudson, and she was a reject. You can't aim to be a household name. You just have to be successful.”

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Success is measured by personal achievement, not fame; fame is fleeting and not a reliable goal.

**In simple terms:** Success matters more than fame.

Key Takeaway

Focus on personal success, not household fame.

Themes

success fame career focus

Mood

reflective critical

Type

advice commentary

When to use this quote

- career planning
- personal branding
- goal setting
- media strategy

Key Concepts

personal achievement celebrity culture industry standards

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines success for you beyond recognition?
- How can you stay focused on your goals amid external pressures?

A Different Perspective

Fame can distract from sustainable success.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Being successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-successful/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Idols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idols/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winner/) [Winners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winners/)

## Related quotes

> [The last couple of roles I missed out on went to Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Biel and Olivia Wilde.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-schumer/the-last-couple-of-roles-i-missed-out-on-went-to-jennifer-hudson/)

[Amy Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-schumer/)

> [I don't listen to Beyonce or Jennifer Hudson records.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-don-t-listen-to-beyonce-or-jennifer-hudson-records/)

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[Heather Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-headley/)

> [We became somewhat household names really quickly, within a matter of - what? - three, four months. So it's hard to get used to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-studdard/we-became-somewhat-household-names-really-quickly-within-a-matter-of/)

[Ruben Studdard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-studdard/)

> [So many musicians are coming to the forefront and are becoming household names.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonita-gandhi/so-many-musicians-are-coming-to-the-forefront-and-are-becoming/)

[Jonita Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonita-gandhi/)

> [Varese, Apollinaire, Ezra Pound, Leger, Gleizes, Severini, Villon, Duchamp, Duchamp-Villon, Marie Laurencin, Cocteau and many others were to me household names in the literal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/varese-apollinaire-ezra-pound-leger-gleizes-severini-villon-duchamp/)

[Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/)

> [Jennifer Lopez has been very much in the news because of her divorce from Marc Anthony, also a top singer, a top player in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lopez/jennifer-lopez-has-been-very-much-in-the-news-because-of-her-divorce/)

[Jennifer Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lopez/)

> [My faith in God is everything at this point. Also, my family and friends that I've had around me pretty much my whole life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-hudson/my-faith-in-god-is-everything-at-this-point-also-my-family-and/)

[Jennifer Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-hudson/)

> [I'm excited about the new judges on 'American Idol.' Jennifer Lopez was a real mentor to me my season and I admire her so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/i-m-excited-about-the-new-judges-on-american-idol-jennifer-lopez-was/)

[Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/)

> [I can't wait to meet Jennifer Hudson, Tamyra Gray, George Huff, Ruben Studdard, and I love me some Clay Aiken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-porsha-renae/i-can-t-wait-to-meet-jennifer-hudson-tamyra-gray-george-huff-ruben/)

[La'Porsha Renae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-porsha-renae/)

> [It's just very surreal for someone who doesn't sing in public to suddenly be singing with Jennifer Hudson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-hayward/it-s-just-very-surreal-for-someone-who-doesn-t-sing-in-public-to/)

[Francesca Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-hayward/)

> [People are gonna tune in just to see David Otunga just to see if he's good or bad. Jennifer Hudson's husband is a pro…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelton-benjamin/people-are-gonna-tune-in-just-to-see-david-otunga-just-to-see-if-he-s/)

[Shelton Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelton-benjamin/)

> [Jennifer to Beth: Ech. I don't like Tom Cruise. Beth to Jennifer: Me neither. But I usually like Tom Cruise movies. Jennifer to Beth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/jennifer-to-beth-ech-i-don-t-like-tom-cruise-beth-to-jennifer-me/)

[Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/)

> [Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are really amazing, lovely people and really great comedic actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/jennifer-aniston-and-paul-rudd-are-really-amazing-lovely-people-and/)

[Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/)

## More by Andre Leon Talley

> [Uggs can be as chic as heels for women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/uggs-can-be-as-chic-as-heels-for-women/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [I'm so sick of mermaid dresses, trains, borrowed bling-bling, and a pose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/i-m-so-sick-of-mermaid-dresses-trains-borrowed-bling-bling-and-a-pose/)

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> [Why spend money on movies when you can spend it on gas? Or dry cleaning? Or groceries?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/why-spend-money-on-movies-when-you-can-spend-it-on-gas-or-dry/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [What's that show? 'TMZ'? They stand there and say, 'I've got this on this person.' The focus on celebrities can be detrimental because people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/what-s-that-show-tmz-they-stand-there-and-say-i-ve-got-this-on-this/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [In the heyday of the Oscars, there were electric sparks flying. When Cher went in her fabulous Bob Mackie dress and her Mohawk, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/in-the-heyday-of-the-oscars-there-were-electric-sparks-flying-when/)

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> [I think it's important that models be healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/i-think-it-s-important-that-models-be-healthy/)

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> [The most luxurious item is a beautiful bed and beautiful, simple sheets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/the-most-luxurious-item-is-a-beautiful-bed-and-beautiful-simple-sheets/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

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[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [You come to Paris, you get true originality, and it's wonderful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/you-come-to-paris-you-get-true-originality-and-it-s-wonderful/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [I only watch MSNBC for the news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/i-only-watch-msnbc-for-the-news/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [First Ladies have always been held like specimens under a media microscope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/first-ladies-have-always-been-held-like-specimens-under-a-media/)

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> [The late Estee Lauder says you can never wear white shoes after Labor Day. But of course, in today's world, that does not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/the-late-estee-lauder-says-you-can-never-wear-white-shoes-after-labor/)

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[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [The zenith of elegance in any woman's wardrobe is the little black dress, the power of which suggests dash and refinement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/the-zenith-of-elegance-in-any-woman-s-wardrobe-is-the-little-black/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

> [Valentino made my day suit for the wedding of Paloma Picasso in Paris.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/valentino-made-my-day-suit-for-the-wedding-of-paloma-picasso-in-paris/)

[Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

[Explore all 71 Andre Leon Talley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/)

## More Aim quotes

> [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

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> [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/)

[William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/)

> [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/)

[Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/)

> [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/)

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> [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/)

[Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/)

> [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/)

[Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/)

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[Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/)

> [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/)

[Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/)

> [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/)

[Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/)

> [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/)

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> [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/)

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> [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/)

[Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/)

> [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/)

[Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/)

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