Reflections from a grandfather determined to guide his granddaughter toward self-discovery and resilience.
I never thought I’d see the day when my granddaughter would tell me she wants to be like Iggy Azalea. Yes, the Iggy Azalea — the Australian rapper who skyrocketed to fame in the early 2010s with her bold persona and hit songs.
Iggy is an icon to many, and as a grandfather, I understand the allure. But when my granddaughter’s admiration for her turned into a desire to emulate every aspect of her, her parents grew concerned — and so did I.
They came to me, hoping for advice. “What do we do?” they asked. Their little girl had always been confident and vibrant, but now, it seemed like she was losing sight of who she was, caught up in the dream of being someone else.
At first, I thought, Is it really so bad? After all, kids usually idolize celebrities. But then I began to see where this could lead, and that’s when the real concern hit me.
If the obsession deepens, it might bring more harm than good. The pressure to measure up to someone else’s life, to chase a reality that may not be attainable, could lead to frustration, chronic stress, or worse — burnout and a loss of hope. When a child feels they’re falling short, they may begin to believe their own unique talents and dreams aren’t enough.
I love my granddaughter dearly, and like any grandparent, I want her to thrive. So, while I see nothing wrong with having role models, I also believe in nurturing her identity in the process.
I explained to her — and her parents — that aspirations can be healthy, but only when they’re balanced with a sense of self-worth. It’s okay to admire someone’s success, but it’s also crucial to understand that success has more layers than we realize.
Iggy Azalea herself, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, is an impressive figure. She left Australia at 16 to chase a career in hip-hop, landing in the U.S., and she worked tirelessly to break through.
By 2014, she was at the top of the charts with her debut album, The New Classic, featuring the hit single “Fancy.” But what my granddaughter — and many kids — don’t see is that luck played a role in Iggy’s rise to fame. For example this video she put on YouTube got 1.1 billion views.
She was in the right place at the right time, with the right talents and the right people around her. That doesn’t mean others can’t achieve great things, but each person’s journey is different.
More importantly, I wanted my granddaughter to know that Iggy’s bold, unapologetic persona worked for her — but it might not work for everyone. Iggy is a strong personality, and while that may resonate with some, it might not suit others. We’re all built differently, and that’s where the real beauty lies in our lives.
I began to have gentle and a bit of subliminal conversations with my granddaughter, helping her see the bigger picture. I told her it’s wonderful to be inspired by someone’s music or success, but it’s even more important to carve out her own path. Fame is fleeting, but a sense of self? That’s something no one can take away.
Her parents, teachers, and I decided to channel her admiration for Iggy into something constructive. We encouraged her to explore what she loves about Iggy’s work like it’s the creativity, the confidence, or the music — and use those qualities to fuel her own passions.
Maybe she’ll want to be a singer one day, or maybe she’ll realize she loves something entirely different. Whatever the case, we’ll be there to support her, reminding her that she is enough, just as she is.
So, what’s the takeaway for parents and teachers?
Role models are fine, but balance is key. Encourage children to admire their heroes, but also help them see the importance of staying true to themselves.
Talk openly about the realities of fame. Kids often see the glamorous side of celebrity life, but they may not understand the challenges, pressures, or luck that played a role in that success.
Support their passions. If a child is drawn to someone like Iggy Azalea, dig deeper. What is it about that person they admire? Help them channel that inspiration into discovering their own talents and goals.
Teach resilience. Let them know that failure and setbacks are a part of life, and that it’s their unique path — and not someone else’s — that will lead to lasting happiness.
In the end, my granddaughter may still want to be like Iggy Azalea, and that’s okay. But with our supportive and caring conversations, she’s also learning that being herself is an even greater gift.
If you want to listen to the interactive post of this story my mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz published and distributed it on Spotify. Dr Yildiz helps me on Medium a lot to write these sorts of stories and also allows me to edit and curate in his popular publication ILLUMINATION.
Have you had such situations with your children or grandchildren?
Thanks for reading. I wish you a joyful and long life. Please feel free to leave a comment sharing your thoughts and experiences on this important topic.
My stories, of course, never include health or professional advice.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
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