Actresses Quote by Bette Midler
![“The first time I saw a picture of [fabled actress] Ethel Barrymore - she was on Broadway and she was wearing pearls. I thought, "That's who I should grow up to be." It's odd, because it was her physical image that I wanted; I had no idea what it was like actually to be her. In those days, we…” quote by Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cb/bette-midler-1976_actresses_the-first-time-i-saw-a-picture-of-fabled_408548.jpg)
“The first time I saw a picture of [fabled actress] Ethel Barrymore - she was on Broadway and she was wearing pearls. I thought, "That's who I should grow up to be." It's odd, because it was her physical image that I wanted; I had no idea what it was like actually to be her. In those days, we weren't bombarded by images the way we are now, and the ones we did have were more vivid in people's minds.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Bette Midler discussing childhood idols
A longing for an iconic image leads to admiration, but the reality of the person is unknown, highlighting the power of visual symbols over personal truth.
In simple terms: Admire image, not person; fame shapes aspirations.
Key Takeaway
Question the substance behind admired images.
Themes
celebrity
identity
aspiration
media
image
Mood
nostalgic
curious
critical
Type
inspirational
reflective
When to use this quote
- career choices
- personal branding
- media literacy
- role model selection
Key Concepts
Iconography
self‑concept
cultural influence
Questions to Reflect On
- What qualities beyond appearance matter in role models?
- How do media images shape self‑identity?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on surface can distract from deeper values.
![“We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. [But] we should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I don’t want to be like the other animals watching the planet go down the drain. I’ll be a hummingbird, I’ll do…” quote by Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/25d/wangari-maathai-2479_animal_we-re-constantly-being-bombarded-by-prob_1333608.jpg)
![“If they [at the audition] don't like the way you sound they won't buy you anyway, ripped dress or no ripped dress, ass hanging out or no ass hanging out.” quote by Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f47/bette-midler-1976_ass_if-they-at-the-audition-don-t-like-the-w_60210.jpg)
