Teenagers grow up fast in the shadow of Hollywood
Life is lived in the fast lane for youth growing up in Los Angeles, the home of moviemaking, celebrities and “perfection.”
Lauren Greenfield’s book of photography offers a glimpse into the young world of teenagers growing up at a frightening speed.
The photos show young children playing dress up in their parents on-set dressing rooms, or all dolled up to attend a prestigious opening party; young girls pose in front of the mirror in their hopes of becoming a supermodel.
These young people are growing up in a society that over-values youth, but where being a kid isn’t cool.
Almost all of the teens interviewed mention something about growing up fast because no one wants to be a kid. Proms and bar mitzvah’s are elaborate social events costing thousands of dollars and signifying wealth and popularity.
Girls dream of becoming stars and being thin, while the guys strive to make the most money and drive a stylish car. Appearance is everything in this world where kids grow up in the shadows of famous parents and rich families, having to measure up.
For the others, life involves watching your back and getting tattoos of your gang affiliation. Deaths of your friends are commonplace and youngsters prowl the streets looking for trouble.
Carrie Fischer introduces the book with an honest and humorous look at her own life growing up with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fischer as parents and becoming a celebrity at 19 years old when she was cast as Princess Leia in Star Wars.
Somehow we make it out of adolescence, but when most of us look back at what we survived, we often think, “How would I ever get through that now?”
Fast Forward: Growing up in the Shadows of Hollywood, by Lauren Green can be purchased from AMAZON.
Other books of Lauren Greenfield’s are Girl Culture, Thin and the accompanying film documentary, Thin.
