Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame involves a bizarre process and a lot of money
Making it in Hollywood is tough enough as it is, but the application to get your name as a star on the Walk of Fame looks to be equally as difficult.
The details of the application process have been revealed and they are surprisingly more extensive than you might think.
Being a huge superstar in the music or film business helps, but that alone isn’t enough to guarantee you a star.
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The Hollywood Walk of Fame spans 1.3 miles, and each year the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce selects around 24 celebrities to be added and get their own star. Here is what you need to do to get your own.
Firstly, you have to be nominated by someone and that recommendation is likely to hold more weight if it comes from someone influential.
In theory, just about anyone can apply to have a star, but it is expected that you have produced a piece of art that is in some way iconic.
Vin Di Bona, Chair of the Walk of Fame Selection Committee for 2016-2017 has said candidates must be famous for at least five years, as well as have 'unchallengeable' expertise within television, movies, radio, live theatre and music industry.
However, the honor isn’t cheap and applications carry a $30,000 sponsorship fee once accepted. Half of this money goes towards the creation of your star, while the other half goes to the Hollywood Historic Trust, which maintains the Walk of Fame.
Successful candidates are expected to attend the unveiling of their star, however, there have been exceptions in the past, like Barbara Streisand who said she was uncomfortable with large crowds.
Most importantly to get a star, you actually have to want a star.
You could meet all the candidate’s expectations, but it doesn’t matter how big of a star you are, your application comes with a letter of agreement.
Explaining the expectations of stars and the process, the Hollywood Walk of Fame website reads: “The criteria for receiving a star consists of the following: professional achievement, longevity in the category of five years or more, contributions to the community and the guarantee that the celebrity will attend the dedication ceremony if selected.”
"After the Walk of Fame Selection Committee has made its selections, the Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors also votes to approve the star, and then for a final approval, the names are submitted to the City of Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works Department.”
Late Friends actor Matthew Perry was nominated for a star by his PR firm 2013. Sadly, however, the ceremony was never scheduled and the offer expired in 2018. In the wake of the icon's death, The Chamber told TMZ 'it is confident it could renew the award for the late actor', but will need a decision from the committee. Since Perry is no longer with us to accept or deny his star, the responsibility will fall to his family.
Not at all what I was expecting, what about you?
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Money, US News, Matthew Perry
Gerrard Kaonga