Every time I go out to perform, believe me. You never lose that fear of, 'I hope I do it right. I hope I don't fall flat on my face. I hope this will be good for them.'
Interpretation
The quote illustrates the persistent fear and anxiety performers feel, regardless of their experience level.
Julie Andrews highlights that even the most seasoned performers experience apprehension before they take the stage. This fear stems from the desire to meet their audience's expectations and to succeed in delivering a memorable performance. The quote reflects the universal struggle with self-doubt and the pursuit of excellence in one's art.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech for aspiring performers.
I've learned a lot of things about myself through singing. I used to have a certain dislike of the audience, not as individual people, but as a giant body who was judging me. Of course, it wasn`t really them judging me. It was me judging me. Once I got past that fear, it freed me up, not just when I was performing but in other parts of my life.
Singing has been a cherished gift, and my inability to sing has been a devastating blow.
My mother was terribly important to me, and I know how much I yearned for her in my youth, but I don't think I truly trusted her.
I come from a long line of below-stairs maids and gardeners. Good ol' peasant stock. My mother and her sister made a quantum leap out of that life. Then I made another quantum leap.
Success is terrifying. Like happiness, it is often appreciated in retrospect. It's only later that you place it in perspective. Years from now, I'll look back and say, ‘God, wasn't it wonderful.’
I'd say almost that words come first, melody second.
It’s one thing to run across Canada, but now, people are really going to know what cancer is.
To achieve great things, we must first dream.
Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.
So here is why I write what I do: We all have futures. We all have pasts. We all have stories. And we all, every single one of us, no matter who we are and no matter what’s been taken from us or what poison we’ve internalized or how hard we’ve had to work to expel it – – we all get to dream.
Before competition, as I stand in shoulder pads and cleats, my helmet in my left hand, adrenaline flowing and my heart raging under my right, I never forget the ills of America, but for a moment I envision its potential, remember its prosperity, and give thanks to God for the land He has placed me in and the people I love who live in it.
I wouldn't dream of working on something that didn't make my gut rumble and my heart want to explode.
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