[2023-10-02] Confidence builders
The director of the 1961 British film A Taste of Honey cast Rita Tushingham in the lead role of Jo after auditioning 2,000 young women. But Tushingham would have to wait six months for filming to begin because the financial backers of the movie wanted a name, specifically, Audrey Hepburn. But Richardson insisted on sticking with Tushingham, whose performance would go on to win the best actress award at Cannes in 1962 as well as Most Promising Newcomer at both the 1961 BAFTA Awards and the 1962 Golden Globe Awards. In an interview years later, Tushingham said, "I wouldn't be in films if it wasn't for Tony Richardson. I owe him everything."
The actress's comment reminded me of this quote from American novelist Truman Capote: "Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot."
Today, I chatted with a young woman who noted her own growing confidence. Comparing herself to the person she was even just a few years ago, she is more inclined to do things, to put herself out there, to interact with others. She attributes this, in part, to people who showed confidence in her.
That got me thinking about individuals who had influenced my confidence. It was easy to make a mental list of bosses, colleagues, friends, family members, neighbours who had been my "Tony Richardson"—people who had demonstrated confidence in me, often before I recognized my own competence.
And I've no doubt been a "Tony Richardson" to others. I have long made a point of encouraging people—especially youth and young adults—and applauding their efforts and successes. When I have done so, they have absolutely lit up with joy, and that has been its own reward.
