By Joseane Martins
Cirque du Soleil performer | Founder of Cirquenastics

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asking different artists one simple question:

“What’s your best audition advice?”

Three different performers. Different backgrounds. Different careers.

And yet, they all said the same thing:

“Be yourself.”

At first, it almost sounds too simple.
Too obvious.

But if everyone keeps repeating it… there’s probably a reason.

The Pressure to Become Someone Else

Auditions are intense.

You walk into a room filled with talent. Strong, capable, impressive people.
And whether you admit it or not, a thought starts to creep in:

“What are they looking for?”
“Who do I need to be to get this?”

And that’s where it begins.

You start adjusting.
Changing.
Trying to fit into something that you think they want.

Not because you’re not good enough, but because you want to be chosen.

But Here’s the Problem

When you step away from who you are, even slightly, something shifts.

You might still perform well.
You might even look the part.

But inside?

You’re working harder than you should.

Because now you’re not just performing your skills, you’re also maintaining a version of yourself that isn’t natural.

And that gets exhausting.

I’ve Seen It Happen

Throughout my career, I’ve always stayed very close to who I am.

But I’ve seen many people around me try to “be someone else” to succeed.

At first, it can look like it’s working.

But over time?

They struggle to keep it up.
They feel disconnected.
They stop enjoying what they’re doing.

Because pretending, even in small ways, is not sustainable.

Your Uniqueness Is Not a Risk. It’s the Point.

Here’s what most people miss:

You’re not competing by becoming more like others.
You stand out by becoming more yourself.

Your personality, your energy, your way of moving, your presence, that’s your edge.

That’s what makes someone remember you.

Not a perfect imitation of what you think they want.

Yes, You Still Need to Be Professional

Being yourself doesn’t mean doing whatever you want.

You still need discipline.
Respect.
Awareness of the environment you’re in.

But there’s a difference between:

• Adapting your behavior professionally
  and
• Losing your identity completely

One elevates you.

The other drains you.

The Real Goal

The goal is not to become what you think they’re looking for.

The goal is to become so clear, so comfortable, and so strong in who you are…

that they can immediately see where you fit.

Because the right opportunities don’t come from pretending.

They come from alignment.

 A Simple Question to Ask Yourself

Next time you’re preparing for an audition, ask:

“Am I trying to be chosen… or am I showing who I really am?”

That one shift can change everything.

Final Thought

If three different artists, from different paths, all say the same thing—

“Be yourself”

It’s not a cliché.

It’s a strategy.

A sustainable one.

This Week’s Audition Tip

I’ve been sharing weekly audition advice from working performers.

👉 Watch this week’s tips here: 

Audition Tip by Performer Marie Elaine 

If You Want to Go Deeper

Being yourself is powerful, but it’s not enough on its own.

You also need structure, strength, and clarity in your training.

That’s exactly what I help performers build inside Cirquenastics.

If you’re serious about your trainings and your performance career, you can explore it here:
http://cirquenastics.com/