Mom and Pop were proud of my popularity, but from their point of view, show business was no way to make a living.

Merman contrasts early public approval with private, family skepticism. The line captures a common tension for performers: applause and “popularity” can be real, yet older, working‑class parental values often equated respectable success with steady, conventional employment. By framing it as “from their point of view,” she acknowledges her parents’ pride without mocking their caution, suggesting they saw show business as unstable and morally or financially risky. The quote also foreshadows a classic show‑biz narrative—an artist’s drive to pursue an uncertain vocation despite practical objections—highlighting how cultural attitudes toward entertainment careers have shifted over time.