The High Price of Success

Writer Diablo Cody has had quite a week. Not only did her film "Juno" win big at the Independent Spirit Awards, she also won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

"Juno" is Cody's first screenplay, so this is an amazing success story. Contrary to the press, who loves a salacious story, she was not a down-on-her-luck stripper when she wrote "Juno," she was actually already an accomplished writer who had tried her hand - briefly - at exotic dancing, but she herself says she's always been a writer.

As a writer who aspires to a bigger pond, I have followed the success of "Juno" with excited hopefulness, seeing that it truly is possible for an "outsider" to make it big. I don't resent her success or feel the need to tear her down because I haven't, as yet, gotten to have what she's having, but apparently not everyone feels that way.

As a pop culture columnist I spend a lot of time checking out blogs, and have been very disturbed to see a Diablo Cody-backlash of sorts forming this week that is both personal and ugly. This is a part of human nature I've never quite understood - the resentment that seems to inevitably set in when someone finds big success.

Seen as a "rebel" and "free-spirit," people are now speculating that Cody will sell out, that perhaps "Juno" was a fluke and she'll never match that success etc etc. Given the opportunity, I would happily take on projects sent my way, and why is it a bad thing to take advantage of opportunities that come your way after working very, very hard? And you know what? If she never matches that success again she still has a freaking Oscar! How many of the pathetic haters posting angry comments on blogs can say that?!

A lot of the criticism has been levied around the fact that she refused to wear a very pricey pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes to the Oscar ceremony, and then wore some much simpler ones.She had accepted the offer of the shoes, not realizing it was a publicity stunt for the famous shoe maker, said she didn't want to be part of that, and for some reason she has now been labeled a "diva."

I don't think this is a gender-specific problem, though I do think the criticism of women at the top of their game tend to take a more personally vicious tone than they do for men. My hope is that eventually people will realize one person's success doesn't mean they too can't accomplish amazing things in their lives. This year three of the nominees for best original screenplay were written by women - a very exciting first. We women should be hoisting each other up on our shoulders and shouting "woo hoo!" not tearing each other apart.

My advice is for folks to stop hating on people who've made it, and instead look to them for inspiration. And I would love to see women treat each other better, to stop calling each other whores and sluts, and see that when we work together we can accomplish anything.

I may never get an Oscar, but I am absolutely ecstatic for Diablo Cody's success. Candy on the Cape is not quite as sexy as her blog, The Pussy Ranch, I certainly know some Hollywood honcho won't find me on the Web while searching for porn, and as the mom of three I'm thinking that's just as well. I am positive my children will be pleased that is not the route I have chosen. Though for the right amount of money... No! I will not change who I am.

I know I won't ever have the same career experience that Oscar winner (get used to it Diablo - that's your new first name) Cody has had, but I'm not supposed to, I'm supposed to have MY career experience which will be all mine and just as wonderful.

I'm sure in this world of short attention spans that the folks who love to hate will soon move on to someone else doing well to despise, unless of course they finally realize there truly is enough success to go around.