Performing Dolls — Josh

 

(Disclaimer: Everything stated here is the author's perspective and do not reflect the fanbase I belong to.) 

—This is a five-part blog—

Least Talented

No two people are alike. Each of us are molded differently as we are intended to be. The problem with people, they know one thing and they thought that is everything. We are living in a vast world that is yet to be fully discovered, yet many of us think that our own bubble is actually the whole world. When we see someone who doesn't possess the same characteristics as those we think are superior, we look down on them. The truth is that intelligence and talents don't end with what we know. According to Prague British International School, there are nine types of intelligence.

1. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
2. Linguistic Intelligence
3. Interpersonal Intelligence
4. Intrapersonal Intelligence
5. Musical Intelligence
6. Visual-Spatial Intelligence
7. Bodily-Kinaesthetic Intelligence
8. Naturalist Intelligence
9. Existential Intelligence

Why am I talking about this?

Well, we ought to realize that what we know are just a fraction of reality. It makes me laugh when people downplay having the ability to speak in English fluently as equivalent to nothing. According to the article, linguistic intelligence is the ability to proficiently communicate, written or spoken, with broad vocabulary, and efficiently use words to deliver intended messages. It may not necessarily mean learning foreign language, but it is still a part of it. Josh was often called the least talented member of the group, the hole. From the time they debuted until now, people are still doubting his ability.

For someone like Josh, emotional and psychological pain comes with the territory, and I can attest to that. He became my bias wrecker the moment I learned more about the group and the members. We basically walked the same path in life and I naturally gravitated towards him. I can only imagine the amount of heartaches and mental burden he had to overcome and probably still carry inside him up to this day. When he said someone told him he was dreaming if he thinks he could make a career out of himself, it broke my heart. To think that this someone was a person he probably respected.

His song, 1999, talks about how life and the world can snatch someone's innocence and even the goodness in one's heart. Me and Josh are not new to this fact, and for me, it took eight years before I got back on my feet. I did some things that most girls wouldn't even dreamed of, and while I am not ashamed of how I lived my life, I wouldn't wish it on someone. After I learned about his story, my respect for this man automatically skyrocketed. He had all the reasons to walk to the wrong side of the tracks, instead he pushed himself to become better and look what he has achieved now.

Simplicable stated on their article that there one hundred and five types of talent. They said talent is an area that someone can master and generate significant value. This is something people fail to notice because we are so focus on the stigma that had been instilled in our minds. Talent is not just singing or dancing or playing basketball, and Josh had been a victim of this shallow mindset. Was he a singer when they debuted? No, he wasn't. He was an established dancer since he was part of a KPOP dance cover group with Stell, but that's about it. In fact, he wasn't even a natural dancer. He taught himself how to dance and pursue something with no assurance.

Josh spent the past six years learning and improving himself, and we could all see it. His voice has gotten better and better with every song they released until he finally released his debut album as Josh Cullen, the soloist. Wild Tonight was a banger and one of my favorites. He proved himself not just as a singer or a dancer, but also a songwriter, producer, and creative director. The song's music video is a true piece of art, too. He followed it up with Pakiusap Lang, SOFA, Get Right, Yoko Na, Sumaya, and finally, his debut album, Lost & Found. The solo songs are evidence of his relentlessness and persistence, and his never yielding ability to disprove naysayers.

In my opinion, he is not the weakest member of the group. If anything, he is one of the strongest. He may not have the same talent as the others, but that doesn't mean he is without a strength of his own. When he performed Thinkin' About You with Hi-Key, I was totally surprised. His voice was so pleasant in the ears and the genre of the song fit him so perfectly. Yes, he is the not the main or lead vocal of the group, but without his voice, SB19's sound wouldn't be the same. He provides the added volume and thickness needed to strengthen their harmony and the end product is always excellent.

This man deserves the respect and appreciation that an artist deserves. He put in the works and never stopped learning something new. His vision and goal, not just for himself, but for the entire music industry is noble. He was never selfish or self-centered, always ready to work with any artist who would be willing to work with him. He is one of the strongest person I've had the pleasure of knowing and with his never-say-never attitude, sky is absolutely the limit for him.