Kayla J: Journal Entry #06
THE PERFECT IDOL
“Plagiarism is the fear of a blank page.” – M. Mokhonoana
Thomas Hall Debut Passes Hot 100!
“My daily morning routine?” His lips curves up into an amiable smile. “Well, the one thing I never fail to do every morning is to go to the roof, stand on the edge, and take in the fresh air. Really helps me relax and put things into perspective for the day.”
“That sounds kinda dangerous.” A voice chirps back.
“I’m a bit of a daredevil like that.” Adding a little wink, collective laughter brims from the sea of reporters sitting adjacent to him. It was a curious habit, but mundane enough for the others to see him as human; relatable and “just like a normal guy”. In the corner of his eyesight, his manager nods in approval.
A perfect answer for a perfect idol.
Thomas Hall’s New EP Hits Top 40 In Less Than a Week!
“How long does it usually take for you to compose a song?”
He feigns a contemplative pause. He knew what to say before a beat even passed. “The instance for every song is different. Some can take less than an hour, others can take days.” Less than an hour to suggest him as a genius in his line of work. Days to suggest him as your everyday guy with his everyday struggles. “I get writer’s block, too.” He adds, another round of laughter ensuing from the crowd.
Thomas Hall is Our Pick as the Fresh Face of Tomorrow!
No mention of tireless hours holed up in his studio, or staring at his sunken face in the mirror, desperate to create the next big thing. No mention of the constant fear in the back of his mind; a fear of being forgotten unless he vomits another “brilliant piece of work in the history of modern music”. That would be far too grotesque for his image. He wouldn’t look perfect.
Thomas Hall: A Look Behind His Newest Album.
“What was the inspiration for your new album?”
This was a harder one. Nevertheless, he had an answer a paragraph long memorized in his mind. “To be completely honest, my friends and family has been the biggest inspiration and motivation for me during the making of this album. The past two years has been an amazing roller coaster ride, and—”
A tone rings from the audience. Thomas pauses on his words as someone by his side reminds the reporters to keep their phones on silent. But from his perspective, he sees head after head ducking towards their phone screen in a similar manner, like a continuing wave. Each receiving a notification for the exact same thing.
“…And I wouldn’t be able to get through it all without my loved ones standing by my side.” He continues in a rather unsure manner. Something had changed in the room. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he sees reporters whispering among themselves, not as immersed with each and every word he utters as before. A feeling of unease settles on his stomach.
A wave from one of the staffs guarding at the back of the room helps him focus back on the reporter currently taking the stand. A man with a controlled sort of poise, pushing the frames of his glasses up the bridge of his nose in a human yet stoic manner.
There’s a certain unspoken rule in press conferences like this. The questions you’re asked are supposed to be repetitive, with several mundane “how’s your life” type things slipped in between. There are no room for controversies or scandals, unless the press itself served to address the scandal.
“Is it true that you used the hook from Anita Ward’s 1979 hit for your title track?”
Upon hearing that, Thomas did the one thing he shouldn’t have done. He froze.
And like a cue, everyone else speaks out at once.
Thomas Hall’s Title Track Sounds Really Similar to Anita Ward’s Ring My Bell.
“I—” he starts, but for a few seconds all he can do is gape at the now sea of clamoring reporters. The album was already out. The credits were there for everyone to see. “Every song I make is from the heart. I can’t imagine someone taking them and claiming it as their own. I would never do that to another artist.”
As the staff struggled to keep the situation calm, Thomas reflects on what he had said. He knew those were the right words, but the silence that soon overtook the room spoke a different message, the same way his initial silence to the question did. It was as if each reporter stood with a different stance against him.
Thomas Hall Faces Backlash for Ripping Off Classic.
The ride back with his crew and manager had a deafening silence. He thumbs at the lit up screen of his phone, scrolling through social media applications until his manager tells him to put it on silent. He doesn’t say anything, but Thomas knows he’s seen it. Everyone has seen it.
It’s as if he can simply close his eyes and see the foundation he has built crumble to nothingness, see his success plummet to the ground.
Thomas Hall Reportedly Sued for Alleged Plagiarism.
The next few weeks, he stays in his apartment. For his own safety, says his manager. He ignores the ringing of his phone, the people lining up with questions whenever he opens his front door to the delivery man or the newspaper guy, and strictly avoids any channels with entertainment news.
Despite all these efforts, he knew. Thomas was no longer the perfect idol. He was no longer the future of the music industry. A different youthful face is plastered over the covers of magazines that usually displayed him.
Thomas Hall’s Career Has Reached Its Most Scandalous and Final Peak.
So one morning, he did the one thing he shouldn’t have done. Standing on the edge of the roof as he always has, Thomas takes one extra step, and falls.
I don’t think plagiarism is the fear of a blank page. If that were so, having myself sit in my bedroom, attempting to write down this entry would be plagiarism. If that were so, then should you sit ten aspiring writers in a room, all of them could very well be considered plagiarists. In my opinion, plagiarism is succumbing to that gnawing fear and personal insecurity. It is letting that fear overtake you, throwing all means of logic and care out the window. Plagiarism is a sign of internal defeat.
