Actress Dakota Fanning has opened up about the uncomfortable situations she faced as a child while promoting her TV and film projects. In an interview with The Cut, the 30-year-old revealed that journalists would ask her inappropriate questions such as how she avoided becoming a tabloid girl and if she had any friends. Fanning expressed that at the time, she was just a kid and not yet a woman, but now there are more conversations about equality and basic treatment. Celebrity brand consultant Gary Frayter acknowledged that Hollywood is a complex environment, and it’s important to protect children from topics they aren’t emotionally equipped to handle.
Fanning rose to fame at the age of 7 with her breakout role in “I am Sam” alongside Sean Penn. Despite experiencing early stardom, Fanning did not fall into the pitfalls often associated with child actors thanks to her supportive family. She credits her mother for teaching her how to treat others and herself. Frayter emphasized the importance of parents monitoring their children in show business due to the dangerous influences present in Hollywood.
While Fanning and her sister Elle have never faced negative portrayals like Paris Hilton, they recently acquired the rights to Hilton’s memoir for its film adaptation. Fanning expressed compassion for those who have been made examples by society and media manipulation.
Fanning has recently starred in TV miniseries such as “The Perfect Couple” alongside Liev Schreiber and Nicole Kidman, as well as “Ripley,” which follows a grifter hired to bring home a wealthy man’s son from Italy during the 1960s.
Reflecting on past media coverage, Fanning mentioned how discussing someone’s cellulite was once considered normal but is now deemed unacceptable—an improvement she appreciates.
Requests for comment from Dakota Fanning went unanswered.
