No amount of glitz and glamour can mask the realities of our life from God, says Gemma Hunt. He sees us just as we are – and he loves us anyway
For the last 22 years, I’ve been more used to being in front of the camera or under the stage lights. But recently, I’ve had the privilege of stepping behind the curtain and serving in a very different way.
Last year, I was invited to work as a chaperone at the National Television Awards (NTAs). A good friend of mine is an event stage manager, and she encouraged me to join her team. With my background in live television and theatre I was a good fit and, honestly, I was so excited to see this world from the other side.
My role was to look after one of the evening’s TV stars. That meant making sure she was at rehearsals on time, had refreshments when needed, was seated in the right place during the live show and was able to get on stage when it was time to present an award. At the end of the night, I even organised her taxi home.
Away from the bright lights
It was eye-opening. I’ve spent so much of my career under bright lights, but here I was, working in the shadows, watching how an army of dedicated people backstage help everything flow seamlessly. I loved it so much that I went back again this year for the 30th anniversary celebration.
From the very start of the day, it’s fascinating to watch the event come together. The red carpet, the rehearsals, the final adjustments before the cameras roll – all of which builds up to that glamorous moment the public sees on TV. But what struck me most this year wasn’t the scale of production or the famous faces I brushed shoulders with. It was something far deeper.
God isn’t impressed by our highlight reels. He sees the hidden hurts, insecurities and failures - and he loves us anyway
Last year, I’d been dazzled by the incredible outfits and immaculate hair and make-up. This time, I deliberately looked past the sparkle to try and glimpse the real people behind the glamorous exterior. Backstage, away from the cameras, you see both sides. Some stars arrive in casual tracksuits with no make-up, ready for the stylists to work their magic. Within a couple of hours, they look red-carpet ready. Others never quite shake their nerves or self-consciousness, no matter how polished their appearance.
It reminded me of the powerful verse in 1 Samuel 16:7: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Our true selves
Backstage, I noticed moments of real vulnerability. Some stars lit up with joy when their names were called as winners, while others struggled to hide their disappointment when they didn’t take home a trophy. I thought: This is their real heart on display. No amount of designer clothes or flawless make-up can disguise what someone is truly feeling inside.
And isn’t that true for all of us? We spend so much time trying to look like we’ve got it all together. We put on our own versions of stage make-up: the carefully curated Instagram feed, the polite: “I’m fine” when, really, we’re not. But God isn’t impressed by our highlight reels. He sees the hidden hurts, insecurities and failures - and he loves us anyway. In fact, he calls us beautiful, beloved, chosen.
Being a chaperone at the NTAs gave me a fresh perspective. I’ve always loved performing, but working behind the scenes reminded me that the spotlight doesn’t define worth. God isn’t dazzled by glamour. He isn’t fooled by our masks. To him, we are always the star of the show, not because of what we achieve or how good we look, but simply because we’re his children, created in his image.
Jesus himself knows what it’s like to step into our world and live from a different perspective. He left the glory of heaven to walk as one of us. He didn’t come draped in sequins or framed by studio lights, but clothed in humility, revealing God’s love in the most authentic way.
And that’s what I’m learning: I don’t need to strive for the applause of others or hide behind a polished exterior. Neither do you. We can come before God exactly as we are. In our tracksuits, with tears, disappointments and all. In his eyes, we’re already centre stage.
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