Dakota Fanning recently opened up about facing ‘super inappropriate’ questions during her early years in Hollywood.
Stars such as Lindsay Lohan, the Sprouse twins, and the main cast of Harry Potter all gained fame as children, with many of them later discussing the challenges that accompanied their early success.
Among them is Dakota Fanning, who made a significant impression in the film industry at just seven years old with her role in the 2001 movie I Am Sam.
As a result, Fanning found herself on red carpets, attending premieres, and speaking to the media while still a child.
Now at 30, the Coraline actress recalls some of the inappropriate questions she was asked during her formative years.
In an interview with The Cut, she shared: “In interviews at a young age, I remember journalists asking me, ‘How are you avoiding becoming a tabloid girl?’ People would ask super-inappropriate questions.
“I was in an interview as a child and somebody asked, ‘How could you possibly have any friends?’ It’s like, huh?”
Fanning went on to say: “I have a lot of compassion for people who have been made into examples. If society and the media hadn’t played their part, who knows?
“I don’t think that it’s necessarily connected a hundred percent to being in this business; there are other factors, too. I just didn’t fall into it, and I don’t know the exact reasons except that my family is comprised of very nice, kind, protective people.”
Starting her career so young meant Fanning had some figures guiding her along the way.
However, it was her mother, Hannah Joy Arrington, rather than a fellow actor, who provided crucial support and guidance.
Fanning stated, “She was there every second. I was always treated with respect. It was never ‘Bring the kid in! Get her out!’ I wasn’t working with people who treated me that way — I was being respected as an actor and as equal as you can be for that age.”
During the interview, Fanning also expressed her commitment to pursuing acting for many more years.
Moreover, she has no desire to adopt the image of a typical celebrity.
She told The Cut: “I don’t get dressed to walk down the street. That’s just not me. I am just an actor. And the other things that come with it are things that you kind of deal with.”