How can I become a famous singer/actress?!

How can I become a famous singer/actress?

I am 12 years old and I've always wanted to become a singer/actress. I love to sing around friends and family, and they love my voice and say I should make a demo tape. I've been in school and church choir for about five years, I take private singing lessons, and my voice has amazingly improved and I think I have what it takes. I write poetry and it helps me write songs. I play the acoustic guitar and piano. And my main musical influence is The Beatles. I need help looking for an agent and I would like to share my voice with the world. It has been my dream every since I was 7. Everybody I come across say I have a great sense of humor and I am very original.

I live in Las Vegas and I would like to know where I can find a place that will help me become a famous singer/actress.

Please help and don't be rude. I've wanted this for a long time. And it's very important to me.

1 day ago
I am great at memorising. I knew all the words to a 15 min. Disney song medley called "Disney Spectacular". Where can I find a good manager/agent that will help? Are there any websites that I can visit to find auditions in my area? Singing, acting, (etc.) tips will gladly be accepted.

1 day ago
I have also been in many school plays. I entered in contests in humanities class. And I usually always have the funniest little skits. I have an A+ in that class, I think I am a very good actress, but I still think it takes A LOT more than that, so I'm still continueing to learn.

If your parents are supportive, I suggest you start now in the pursuit of your dreams. It's not going to happen overnight. It will be heartbreaking at times, and you may face frustration and discouragement. If you are really passionate about it, just do it. Do what you love, what you are passionate about, and success will eventually find you, and so will the money. Just keep yourself grounded with individuals who will help you stay normal, and give you sound advice. Your parents should contact A MINOR CONSIDERATION, a website started by former child performers, who will guide you all on how to protect yourself from unscrupulous managers, producers, directors, etc. Get books from the library or bookstores on the business of music and acting and learn to read contracts and what to look out for. Get savvy early on about the business end of the deal.
Also know that Hollywood eats young talent (you've seen the stuff about Lindsay, Paris, Nicole, Britney, etc.). You must understand that performing is a drug - applause and attention are drugs...and when you can't get that high from performing and applause, it's tempting to turn to illicit drugs to maintain that feeling you get on stage. Keep people around you who will protect you from that, who will protect you from the people who will encourage you to break away from your parents and others who are your protectors, who try to make you feel like you're better than anyone else, etc. Don't listen to their lies. Maintain your dignity. Maintain your core values.
On the technical side, take lessons - even if you win every talent contest, continue to improve your instrument, whether it be your voice or your acting - always look for additional training to maintain your instrument at its peak. Never stop improving your talent. Read important books from all sorts of genres- not just pop literature and romance novels - read things that will inform your talent and give you broader range. Listen to important music from different genres and find out why the music is important. Believe me, the more you know about the roots of music and literature (literature is a source for theater and film scripts), the better you'll be able to portray more talent in the projects you choose, whether it's a song or an acting role.
Get involved in community theater - agents and casting directors go to community theaters to find new talent. Yes, a manager is good, but managers do not get you jobs. Agents get you jobs, managers take care of your schedules and bills. The more successful you are, the more staff you'll need. Always find people with the best references and track records to help you in that respect. Find out if there's an Actor's Equity office near you, and seek their advice on getting paid acting roles. The three main places to find work as an actor/singer are Los Angeles (very competitive), New York (also very competitive) and Orlando (less competition than the other two cities.) Theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios audition regularly, and have been the jumping board for many successful singers and actors. Summer stock theater is another great place to hone your skills as an actor/singer, and some of these offer great opportunities to work with high profile actors. Study as much as you can about your craft--I can't emphasize that enough. Develop a rapport with other actors/singers and learn from them as much as you can - -they will teach you what mistakes to avoid, etc. Dinner theaters audition regularly (Orlando is full of them!) I'm trying to think of other things, but it's quite early hours right now. Be prepared to work long hours and wear hot costumes under hotter lights. Be prepared to dig into the deepest, darkest places of your soul to find that one thing that will nail the scene. Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster, and when the film is in the can, or the stage has been struck, find a quiet place to decompress and find yourself again. STAY CLOSE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS seek their advice - if family members or some friends get star struck, or come out of the woodwork to hang around, drop them. Yes, DROP THEM. They will hurt you or use you. Harsh, I know, but you got to protect yourself from all dangers, no matter how innocuous they seem at the time.

Feel free to email me for additional advice, as I'm not in this forum that often.

Good luck, from one who's been there and lived to tell the tale.