“Ryan Pinkston. Huh?”

..WHY I AM A PINKSTON FAN..

By: Melissa Hunter

“His name is Ryan Pinkston.” “Who?” “He’s an actor. You know, that little kid on Punk’d, Arnold from Spy Kids 3D?” “I have no clue who you’re talking about!”

I’ve become so used to hearing this response whenever someone catches a glimpse of the pictures that cover my schoolbooks. I’ve become so prone to having people incessantly questioning me with tribulations about the person I look up to. How can a name that has become so familiar to me, remain indistinct to others? A name that belongs to my hero, my role model. Ryan Pinkston. Not only are those who surround me are oblivious to the mere reverberation of his name, but also they remain unaware of his talent, his skill, his aspiring persona and determination. It seems preposterous, for someone to mean the world to you, and for your own friends to be heedless of the very person whom you look up to. It was frustrating having to explain the basic facts about Ryan whenever someone asked about him. I was sick and tired of repeating myself, over and over again.

Living in Australia does not have its benefits when your idol is mostly publicized in another country. Especially when the only chance I get to see him, are diminutive snippets from interviews on entertainment shows, and even so, his face is only on the screen for an amount of milliseconds. Okay, okay.. I guess I’m exaggerating, but to tell you the truth, that’s how it really seems sometimes. The only chance I ever get to see Ryan on T.V was during Punk’d, in which the season doesn’t air anymore, and various segments on E! News. And that’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Some people whom get to watch Quintuplets, or other series that involve Ryan, complain about missing the show, even so when they have an opportunity to watch him again some time soon anyway. Welcome to the world of an Australian resident. Imagine not even having the chance to be able to view the one that you admire the most? Imagine having to download several video clips just to see him in action? Ryan’s status and recognition is increasing rapidly. He is taking the U.S by storm. Unfortunately, we’re behind on all the glam and entertainment of Hollywood. I’m sure that Ryan’s success will hit Australia some time soon, but for quite some time now, his name still remains incompetent in this unbeknown country. I shouldn’t complain, I know, but I think its about time Australia should become aware of the Pinkstonator! Because I have been 100% Pinkstonated for more than a year now, and there’s no one else I’d rather have as a role model.

The first thing I noticed about Ryan was his humour. When I first saw him on Punk’d, I was laughing hysterically. He was indubitably hilarious, and at first knowledge of his name, I thought to myself, ‘this guy is going to hit the big time’. So with the information retained, I searched up Ryan on Google, and found his official website. And after accumulating niceties, I learnt that there was more to this prankster than just his smart-ass behaviour, of course, in criteria with the shenanigans and principle of the show. I also learnt that he was not 8, as he was referred to on Punk’d, but 15 (at the time). And that’s when it all started, that’s when Ryan Mania took over my world. I joined the website’s message board and was amazed at the fact that he actually replied to his fans. The message board became somewhat of a salvation for me. I met other Ryan fans from all over the world, made potential perpetual friends, and it was a place where I could just escape reality. It was also an environment where I could speak about Ryan plausibly, with people that actually inherited the same amount of knowledge about him as me; therefore, there was no need to pause between every sentence, having to elucidate every single detail. The members of the message board became a family to me, and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, if it weren’t for Ryan or his website.

I remember going to the cinema’s and watching Ryan in Spy Kids 3D. I went with my brother on the opening day, and besides the parents, I think I was the oldest person there. The theatre was abundant with many giddy infants, and I didn’t necessarily feel stupid for being there, I felt proud and quite youthful. And when he made his debut on the screen, I was jumping up and down feverishly, pointing at the screen and dynamically hitting my brother. Everyone turned around and looked at me, and being the raving lunatic I am when it came to Ryan, I smiled exceedingly, and screamed “IT’S PINKSTON!” Everyone just looked at me funny, but I didn’t care, all that mattered was that I was watching a movie in which Ryan starred in a predominant role. At the end of the movie, I made my brother remain in his seat as the credits were rolling. Once again, when ‘Ryan James Pinkston’ flashed on the screen, volatility overcame me and I couldn’t be any happier. That just made me regard him even higher. Ryan did a great job in the movie, and he ceased the perfect probability to demonstrate his acting ability to the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, Soul Plane wasn’t released in Australian theatres. Quintuplets, Switched, Fake I.D and various other shows Ryan starred in, don’t air down under, which is extremely inopportune. It was somewhat difficult having to read posts on the board, stating how good the shows were, or how great of a job Ryan did. I wasn’t jealous, there was no way I was going to let those sentiments overcome me as I was at least happy for the fact that my friends in the U.S got to watch Ryan weekly, and that Ryan was receiving a lot more recognition in reaction to these television shows. I wasn’t going to complain to television stations, because I had to accept the fact that culture and national diversities are complex for various reasons, and in my heart I truly believe that Ryan’s shows will air down here some day. In order for Quintuplets to commence down here, the show has to receive high ratings and increased audiences, to guarantee that Australian viewers will enjoy the show too. And from my own observations, Quintuplets is a very popular and entertaining show, therefore, Australian television channels will soon enough purchase the series to air down under. And I anticipate the day that will occur. Nothing will make me even happier, than to see Ryan weekly, and for others to be aware of his evident talent.

There are many reasons why I admire Ryan. I’ve had to contemplate and rationalise to why I do idolise him, as many people ask me why. When my friends, or people around me ask about Ryan, the next question they enquire is “So why do you admire him so much, anyway?” And all I can do is smile. Ryan Pinkston. It’s a name that has become so familiar to me over this period of time, and even so, I still learn more and more about him as I visit various websites. At the adolescent age of 16, Ryan has already achieved so much in his life. Not only does he hold numerous titles for Martial Arts, but he has also harboured so much of himself in many different aspects. Holding a championship designation is already a sufficient accomplishment, however, it has opened up so many possibilities and chances for Ryan to excel in many areas. His unique style and talent in Martial Arts conveyed a whole new world for Ryan, and introduced him to acting. He has already starred in many roles, and proved that he truly did have a wider aptitude than that of Martial Arts; he had a natural acting ability. It’s difficult to stay attuned to a particular character at times, but Ryan completed the jobs so fluently, and it’s perceptible in his roles. He takes his career acutely, which is important, but also knows when to let loose, and enjoy his profession. It’s important to weigh work and play equally, and Ryan does that, which improves his capacity and widens the prospects. He is grateful for what he has been blessed with, and doesn’t take it for granted, which a lot of celebrities these days do. His family is also very important to him, and he isn’t afraid or embarrassed to portray that. Without our families, we wouldn’t be the people we are today, and Ryan will never disregard his family because without them, he wouldn’t have obtained the lifestyle he is living. He hasn’t allowed fame to get to his head, and is completely devoted to his family, which is diligently important in life. Ryan acquires such rare and astounding qualities that make him such an amazing human being. To list all his meticulous traits would generate an unremitting scroll. I believe Ryan is humorous, kind-hearted, considerate, friendly, down to earth, forthcoming, benevolent, and so much more. He sticks to his values and morals, regardless of what is expected of him. He is the perfect example to follow by, as he has achieved so much in life because of his comprehensive personality. He also exhibits that with a little bit of hard work and determination, you can achieve anything. In life, you must always remain optimistic in order for you to reach your dreams and goals, and Ryan provides us with conspicuous alibi that anything is possible. Ryan is important to me, as he has broadened my own dreams, in response to what he personally has attained. Ryan is such a humane person with a big heart, and there is no greater human being than that who will outstretch their arms in a welcoming manner, without hesitation. But what I admire the most about Ryan is that he takes the time out to communicate with his fans, and considers our feedback and own opinions. What celebrity gives up their own time to reply to fan emails? Or posts messages of gratitude to his fans on his message board? Ryan is very thankful of his fans, and he illustrates it. Just by posting one message in a thread, he causes elation and undeniable relish for his fans, as it proves to them that even with such a busy schedule, he still takes the time to post. Ryan is just a human being, just like you or me; however, he is living proof that we are all capable of anything. Although as human beings, we are all of the equivalent significance, we are all proficient and competent of whatever our heart desires. And Ryan has done just that. 

Ryan Pinkston. It’s not only the name that means so much to me, but also the joy, happiness and anticipation that this person has brought to me. In only a short period of time, Ryan has in scripted his name into fame, and has made his family, friends, and fans tremendously proud. But Ryan’s fortitude shall not remain at this stage, he’s not yet at the top, he’s only going higher and higher. And once he’s at the top, I’ll be able to smile and say proudly ‘I was a fan as he made that journey, I was there from the start.’ It’s an honour to be a Ryan Pinkston fan, because there is more to Ryan than just an actor. He is an inspiration, a role model, and my hero. I know that I may never get the chance to meet him, because of the circumstances I am faced with living in another country, however all that matters to me is that I will be behind Ryan, no matter what. Whether he’s famous or not, he will always be a laudable figure.

Australia, watch out, Pinkston is coming our way.

“His name is Ryan Pinkston.” “Who?” “He’s my role model.” “Why?”

And here I go again…

                                  The End