[gremlin]

You should enter in as many talent shows as you can. Show people what you're capable of. Invite your parents, show them that despite not doing what they wanted you to do, you have your own thing and it's even better. Maybe it will open up their minds a bit, it could be a good thing. If they don't want to come just say "Alright, you're missing a great show. Too bad that you will never take any interest in what I'm good at."

Your friends might do that because they feel uncomfortable with talking about certain things. Like your father's abusive behaviour. They might not know how to feel, they probably feel sick when they hear about it ( like... no one should be treated like that ), but they don't quite know what to say or how to help you so they change the subject.