---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't…"
description: "\"L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who your friends are here because more often than not, it seems like it's just about getting ahead..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg"
---

#  L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who…

![“L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who your friends are here because more often than not, it seems like it's just about getting ahead at any cost.” quote by Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg)

> “L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who your friends are here because more often than not, it seems like it's just about getting ahead at any cost.”

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

## About This Quote

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

Los Angeles feels deceptive; friendships are uncertain, and ambition often overrides loyalty.

**In simple terms:** LA is fake; friends are unclear.

Key Takeaway

Seek genuine connections.

Themes

friendship ambition illusion

Mood

cautious hopeful

Type

reflective inspirational

When to use this quote

- networking
- career moves
- social media
- relocation

Key Concepts

sociology psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- Who truly supports you?
- When does ambition become harmful?

A Different Perspective

Ambition can be justified.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Getting ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-ahead/)

## Related quotes

> [“We have arrived here in this illusory place. Now we just have to figure out how to deal with this grand illusion of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/we-have-arrived-here-in-this-illusory-place-now-we-just-have-to/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“You don't know who your friends are ... until you're not like them anymore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-womack/you-don-t-know-who-your-friends-are-until-you-re-not-like-them-anymore/)

[Jack Womack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-womack/)

> [Unfriending me when I didn’t even know we were friends? It’s like breaking wind when you’re home alone. If I can’t smell you, knock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-takei/unfriending-me-when-i-didn-t-even-know-we-were-friends-it-s-like/)

[George Takei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-takei/)

> [The people I'm working with tend to be people I know, who are my friends, and I like hanging out with them. There's nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tilda-swinton/the-people-i-m-working-with-tend-to-be-people-i-know-who-are-my/)

[Tilda Swinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tilda-swinton/)

> [Just be yourself, and if people dont like it, well it's their loss. At least you'll know your friends like you for who you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nesha/just-be-yourself-and-if-people-dont-like-it-well-it-s-their-loss-at/)

[Nesha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nesha/)

> [When I say, 'doin' it, doin' it, doin' it' to a group of small business owners, they immediately respond. They recognize the experience of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gerber/when-i-say-doin-it-doin-it-doin-it-to-a-group-of-small-business/)

[Michael Gerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gerber/)

> [I'd like to go to schools and give speeches to people about training, working hard and getting ahead in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-backlund/i-d-like-to-go-to-schools-and-give-speeches-to-people-about-training/)

[Bob Backlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-backlund/)

> [The English don't like concepts, really, not from a pop star. It's alright if they come from an 'intellectual,', but from a pop star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/the-english-don-t-like-concepts-really-not-from-a-pop-star-it-s/)

[Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/)

> [Getting ahead in a difficult profession - singing, acting, writing, whatever requires avid faith in yourself. You must be able to sustain yourself against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-loren/getting-ahead-in-a-difficult-profession-singing-acting-writing/)

[Sophia Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-loren/)

> [“My feet beat out a steady muffled rhythm. My thoughts participated in each step, never getting ahead of me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-stewart/my-feet-beat-out-a-steady-muffled-rhythm-my-thoughts-participated-in/)

[Rory Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-stewart/)

> [“Do you think I’m going to take her back? Do you think I’m still in love with her?” She shrugs with one shoulder. “Amanda,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/do-you-think-i-m-going-to-take-her-back-do-you-think-i-m-still-in/)

[Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/)

> [Work hard, keep your mouth shut, and answer your mail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-pendergast/work-hard-keep-your-mouth-shut-and-answer-your-mail/)

Thomas J Pendergast

> [“Leaders in OVER their heads is the mere result of getting ahead of their intended SEASON.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-warren/leaders-in-over-their-heads-is-the-mere-result-of-getting-ahead-of/)

[John Paul Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-warren/)

> [Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-loren/getting-ahead-in-a-difficult-profession-requires-avid-faith-in/)

[Sophia Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-loren/)

> [The trick to getting ahead is to give it the same effort you give to getting even.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/the-trick-to-getting-ahead-is-to-give-it-the-same-effort-you-give-to/)

[Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/)

## More by Kerli

> [I learned about this talent show on TV that was basically the Estonian version of 'American Idol.' So I lied about my age, went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/i-learned-about-this-talent-show-on-tv-that-was-basically-the/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [I grew up in a town - it was so small that I was like, 'There's absolutely no way that I'm going to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/i-grew-up-in-a-town-it-was-so-small-that-i-was-like-there-s/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [Welcome to the Tea Party. Want to be my VIP? You didn't RSVP. That's ok, that's ok.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/welcome-to-the-tea-party-want-to-be-my-vip-you-didn-t-rsvp-that-s-ok/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [My favorite form of meditation is breathwork - if you're crazy like me and find it hard to sit still, you should try it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/my-favorite-form-of-meditation-is-breathwork-if-you-re-crazy-like-me/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [With her little funny eyes of hazel. With her little funny old blue hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/with-her-little-funny-eyes-of-hazel-with-her-little-funny-old-blue-hat/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [I have an extremely tight, extremely big family, and I love them so much it's almost painful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/i-have-an-extremely-tight-extremely-big-family-and-i-love-them-so/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [All the pain in me. No more needs to be expressed. Feels like I can breathe. You lift a burden off my chest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/all-the-pain-in-me-no-more-needs-to-be-expressed-feels-like-i-can/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [I want to inspire people with my story and make them see that however bad they're feeling, they can always overcome it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/i-want-to-inspire-people-with-my-story-and-make-them-see-that-however/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [I come from a very dysfunctional family, so I was comfortable in misery. So I would create more misery for myself because I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/i-come-from-a-very-dysfunctional-family-so-i-was-comfortable-in/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [Feels like coming home after traveling a million miles. I am not alone. Searching for the starlight in the darkest skies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/feels-like-coming-home-after-traveling-a-million-miles-i-am-not-alone/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [I always do my own makeup, hair, and styling, including in videos and on, like, album covers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/i-always-do-my-own-makeup-hair-and-styling-including-in-videos-and-on/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [Don't be scared to fly high, 'cause it will inspire others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/don-t-be-scared-to-fly-high-cause-it-will-inspire-others/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [Try not to move so fast. You know the sir comes last. I'm the lady fatha mucka try to show some class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/try-not-to-move-so-fast-you-know-the-sir-comes-last-i-m-the-lady/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [Being a Moon Child is about believing in integrity, love, and unity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/being-a-moon-child-is-about-believing-in-integrity-love-and-unity/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

> [She will go and set the world on fire. No one ever thought she could do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/she-will-go-and-set-the-world-on-fire-no-one-ever-thought-she-could/)

[Kerli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

[Explore all 79 Kerli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/)

## More Ahead quotes

> [Anybody who thinks that they should lead the country should go ahead and put their hat in the ring. I am not among them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-schatz/anybody-who-thinks-that-they-should-lead-the-country-should-go-ahead/)

[Brian Schatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-schatz/)

> [If I have a problem with somebody, I go ahead and say what's on my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nico-hulkenberg/if-i-have-a-problem-with-somebody-i-go-ahead-and-say-what-s-on-my-mind/)

[Nico Hulkenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nico-hulkenberg/)

> [I once invested in a risky business. Quite a few people warned me not to do so, but I still went ahead and invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-rode/i-once-invested-in-a-risky-business-quite-a-few-people-warned-me-not/)

[Gautam Rode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-rode/)

> [“What lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us and ahead of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/what-lies-behind-us-is-nothing-compared-to-what-lies-within-us-and/)

[Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/)

> [In Life, We May Never Get The Same Opportunity Again, But There's Always Something Better Ahead...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/in-life-we-may-never-get-the-same-opportunity-again-but-there-s/)

Pacifiersucker

> [Makeup is only fun if it's occasional and capricious - just like it's a treat to have an empty day ahead, but it wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-coren-mitchell/makeup-is-only-fun-if-it-s-occasional-and-capricious-just-like-it-s-a/)

[Victoria Coren Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-coren-mitchell/)

> [There is no such thing as disposable time if you want to stay ahead of the game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-no-such-thing-as-disposable-time-if-you-want-to-stay-ahead/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm the kind of guy who comes home and checks scores for everything. I'm a sports fan in general, so I pretty much keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-comes-home-and-checks-scores-for-everything-i/)

[Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/)

> [People are flying you places in business class. Everyone wants to take pictures of you and find out information about you. It's a freak-out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yolandi-visser/people-are-flying-you-places-in-business-class-everyone-wants-to-take/)

[Yolandi Visser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yolandi-visser/)

> [I wasn't putting my all into it and I was still managing to score goals, and that gave me something to dream about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gray/i-wasn-t-putting-my-all-into-it-and-i-was-still-managing-to-score/)

[Andre Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gray/)

> [There's no limit to what you can accomplish, but there's always someone one step ahead of you, so it's a constant uphill battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mary-stewart/there-s-no-limit-to-what-you-can-accomplish-but-there-s-always/)

[Catherine Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mary-stewart/)

> [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/)

[Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/)

> [I don't want to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-don-t-want-to-look-too-far-ahead/)

[Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/)

> [“one who takes the first step always remains one step ahead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabi-shaheen/one-who-takes-the-first-step-always-remains-one-step-ahead/)

Rabi Shaheen

> [I am not interested to sing in Bollywood. I sing for only those actors whom I admire. I sing free of cost for them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/i-am-not-interested-to-sing-in-bollywood-i-sing-for-only-those-actors/)

[Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/)

Browse all 1,773 Ahead quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who your friends are here because more often than not, it seems like it's just about getting ahead at any cost.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kerli"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-really-know-who-your-friends/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ahead"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-really-know-who-your-friends/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/kerli-8611_ahead_l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-r_325105.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who your friends are here because more often than not…” — Kerli",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Kerli",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerli/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "L.A. is a very illusory place....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-really-know-who-your-friends/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerli/l-a-is-a-very-illusory-place-you-don-t-really-know-who-your-friends/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
