The English actor Ben Daniels, who has acted in a number of TV shows and movies, has been candid about his experiences with sexual orientation in the entertainment business. A common unwritten rule in Hollywood is that in order to become famous and successful as a movie star, one must uphold a particular image, which may involve hiding details of their personal lives, such as their sexual orientation.
This contradiction is brought to light by Daniels' observation: although he has achieved professional success by remaining loyal to himself as an outspoken gay actor, he points out that this doesn't always follow the conventional route to Hollywood stardom. It is implied that becoming a well-known movie star may require concealing one's sexual orientation.
To demonstrate this point, think of the entertainment sector as a huge ocean with many different routes leading to different places. Some people may choose to keep some aspects of their identities hidden beneath the surface in order to swim directly towards the beacon of fame and fortune. According to Daniels, he has instead decided to forge ahead through more transparent waters, showing who he really is while possibly falling short of conventional stardom.
By expressing his viewpoint, Daniels inspires others in the field to question these conventions and strive for genuineness instead of rigorously following what could be seen as the conventional path to success. His position supports the notion that hard work and true talent can result in a rewarding career without sacrificing moral character.