Do you think that most American entertainers(past and/or present) come from impoverished backgrounds?

Hmmmm... I think that many do come from impoverished backgrounds, but just as many also come from wealth and have connections within the music/movie industries. I think that actors are the most likely to have help from family who are already in the business at some level. Also, many entertainers (especially musicians) will try to hide or downplay any advantage they might have had getting their foot in the door in order to appear more street.

Any career where there are tens of thousands of applicants for any one hire, you can expect to see nepotism and wealth being great advantages... especially in a field that doesn't always require extraordinary skill.

More than most yes. And when the old ones came from poverty they were truly talented, and went through a lot of pains to reach the top. Now days, if you have plastic all over, they can correct the voice with devices, and no need to have talent. I know many of the older singers cleaned houses, or their parents did, and lived in the housing projects.

A lot of them do. Not necessarily most.

And it's not just American entertainers.

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i dont know