CLOSE-UP : A Career Out of Balance

From capturing a national junior Olympic gymnastics title to appearing in a Stevie Wonder music video, Simone Bluestein has lived under the spotlight.

“I keep doing it because I haven’t figured out how to make a living doing something else yet,” she said.

Bluestein, 23, began her gymnastics career at 5 and appeared in her first commercial at 7.

“I have to be honest. I don’t really care for either one of them,” she said. “With gymnastics, winning is No. 1. No one just says, ‘Wow, just the fact that you show up and train six hours a day is incredible.’ ”

As an actress, she has been very discriminating over the parts she has accepted.

“Let’s say it’s difficult for me as an actress because there’s a lot of parts I’d turn down.”