In 1998 I viewed nothing short of magic. The remake of the Disney classic "The Parent Trap" somehow transcended upon the original film, mostly for the reason that its star, the perky and lovely Lindsay Lohan, was at the forefront. And there were two of her. Instead of saving a bundle on visual effects and hiring the Olsen twins, the filmmakers chose to plunk this adorable redhead into the action.
And boy did it ever work. Lohan took on the difficult task of playing twins who switch identities like it was nothing at all. She played a dapper British chick, while she also played a cool American girl with strut and cofidence. And then, 40 minutes into the movie, the bait and switch thus begin, and suddenly that Brit lass is pretending to be her American counterpart, while the American girl is London Calling with a fake accent. It was no doubt an incredibly difficult role to play, with this little 11 year old playing two different characters who had to pretend they were one another.
I was instantly a fan. At the time I saw the film, there were already about a dozen or so fansites on the tyke, and I worked on one of them ("There She Goes", now defunct). I also wrote a bio for her official website which was up and running around early 1999, but had since went under new management. The same management then wanted to promote her new CD's and movies rather than make it a place for fans to actually appreciate her work. (Mostly the reason why julia-stiles.com, which I co-own, is not an official site, rather a fansite with Julia's involvement.)
Ahh, the 90's. Lohan then continued onto a few small films, including one for Disney by the name of "Life Size" with Tyra Banks. TERRIBLE film that was shot in nearby Vancouver, but Lohan still kept her adorable, plucky attitude and I was sure that this was going to continue onward. She even showed up on that god-awful Bette Midler show which was quickly yanked.
And then she started going through puberty...and all hell broke loose. Suddenly she's partying, wearing the "55" shirt more than she should (hey, if you catch this reference you're an apt observer of the youth philosophy) and telling her publicists to make us believe she's a Straight-A student and endlessly involved with athletics (yeah, right). Sure, many teen girls are like this, but why Lindsay? We fell in love with Hallie Parker and Annie James, two awesome kids who we want to grow up just as confident and likable as they once were. And we knew that there was a lot of Lindsay herself in that performance.
Somewhere, something went wrong. Maybe there was a rift in her family (dad is a big producer, mom was a former Rockette) or she got teased for her "And I have CLASS and you don't!" line in "Parent Trap" too much. Maybe she had a Nikki Reed step into her life and change her entire outlook on things. She used her popularity to ensnare that kid singer Aaron Carter; meanwhile, that pesky Lizzie McGuire was ALSO using her celebrity to Get Carter. All the meanwhile Carter is probably laughing at how easy he can have two simulteanous girlfriends.
So what do I think about...
- Her rumored breast implants? Despite many stating that no one would even try to get plastic surgery under the age of 18, these kinds of rules don't exist in the state of California, especially if you're industry. (An aside: Lohan was driving in L.A. a few months ago without a licence but with a learner's permit, and had yet to take her road test. No warning or ticket.) If you have money, you can get anything. Implants, nose job, lypo, chin enhancement...and it has been performed to teenagers with the right amount of coin. Many made mention of a "scar" around the bottom right of her left breast, but who knows. I'm sure bras can get scratchy.
"I didn't get breast implants," Lindsay said in an interview. "I'm only 17! I just got my boobs this year and my body is filling out. My mom would kill me!"
Add to the fact that Lindsay suddenly gained solid, round breasts at the height of her popularity? (Notice that around her "Freaky Friday" era, her breats were less round and a bit pushed; not by a push-up bra, but rather at an odd higher shape.) The exact same thing happened to Britney Spears a few years ago. You have #1 movies at the box office, you have a CD contract, rich parents, YOU'RE A SMOKER, you live on your own in L.A...and all of a sudden your breasts get bigger? Funny how things work out sometimes.
I guess we'll never really know the truth. If you're asking for my opinion (and you are) she did, but for the "Ultimate" truth, a polygraph would be the best course of action. Just think of the questions I could ask!
- Smoking? I guess this one is easy. She smokes, it's true. All smokers must die.
- Feud with the Lohan and the Duff C'mon, what is it with teen starlets and Aaron Carter? What is it with you teens kicking the other teens out of premieres? Do you expect anyone to take you two seriously when all you do is pine for the pretty boys? And you're stupid teens; no relationship in your high school years lasts more than a short while, so does it really matter that much? Hilary, did you HAVE to get your "people" to try to get Lohan kicked out of your stupid "Cheaper By The Dozen" flick? You were probably doing her a favor. I don't think people will be lined around the block to see you in "A Cinderella Story" this weekend, either.
- Her freckles? I love freckles. I think they're adorable. But the girl herself obviously disagrees and decides to wax herself with that tan-in-a-bottle crap that makes you look a bit more like a "dipped" cone at Dairy Queen than someone who's been out in the sun too long. Why not EMBRACE what you have instead of trying to hide it? Learn to love the flaws on yourself, THAT is what makes you beautiful.
I honestly don't know why I care so much. It's fun in a way to get wrapped up in celeb gossip to an extent. I've also known this actress for years and it's somewhat sad to see her decline from an awesome kid to party-freak 18 year old, smoking, partying, having sex, getting implants, nose job and covering her bodice in fake tan. I'm sorry Lindsay, you're not cute anymore, and you're certainly less of an inspiration to the current kid actors who I hope don't follow down the same path.
Jenna Boyd, I'm looking at you.
No comments:
Post a Comment