Molly Ringwald, the iconic actress from 'Sixteen Candles' and 'The Breakfast Club', shares her journey through the ups and downs of fame. She reflects on the challenges of growing up in the spotlight while navigating personal identity and public scrutiny. Molly discusses how early fame affected her relationships and self-image, and she offers insights into maintaining mental health amidst constant attention. Plus, she reveals how a shift to life in France helped her reclaim a sense of normalcy away from the cameras.
Fame can be both a blessing and a burden, invading privacy while providing opportunities.
Surviving fame requires self-awareness, personal boundaries, and understanding one's true priorities.
Do not get caught up in external expectations and perceptions; stay true to oneself.
Deep dives
Navigating the Fame and Metaphors of Being a Teen Actor
Molly Ringwald, the famous actor of the 1980s teen movies like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, reflects on the experience of being a teenage actor and the fame that came with it. Ringwald discusses how the characters she portrayed became metaphors for American teenagers, and how fame turned her into a public figure. She also talks about her transition from theater to film acting and the challenges that came with it, including the pressure to maintain her level of fame. She shares her experiences of being a young actor, dealing with jealousy and bullying, and the struggle to balance normalcy with a public persona.
Coping with Fame and Public Scrutiny
Molly Ringwald explores the impact of fame on her personal life and mental well-being. She describes how fame can be both a blessing and a burden, providing opportunities but also invading privacy. Ringwald discusses the challenges of always being in the public eye, constantly aware of paparazzi and people's reactions to her. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and having a strong sense of self to navigate the complexities of fame. Despite occasional difficulties, she appreciates the genuine connections she can make with people who see her beyond her fame.
The Decision to Step Back and Finding Balance
Molly Ringwald reflects on her decision to step back from the spotlight and move to France. She discusses the impact of personal and professional factors, including experiences with Harvey Weinstein and the limited opportunities for older actresses. Ringwald shares how finding a balance between personal and professional life was crucial for her mental well-being. She also explores the challenges of raising her own children within the fame-driven industry and the importance of guiding them to make their own choices. Ringwald concludes that surviving fame requires self-awareness, personal boundaries, and understanding one's true priorities.
Navigating fame and public attention
Molly Ringwald reflects on her experience of becoming a famous teenager, discussing the pressure and challenges that came with it. She highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and not getting caught up in the external expectations and perceptions of others. Ringwald shares her strategy of not reading reviews and protecting her mental well-being by keeping her views in a box. She emphasizes the need to find a place where one can truly be themselves, away from the pressures of fame, and acknowledges the privilege and challenges that come with navigating public attention.
The journey of an up-and-coming musician
Olympia Vittalis, a young musician, discusses her experience as an emerging artist. She talks about the challenges of getting noticed and the uncertainty that comes with trying to break into the music industry. Vittalis reflects on the excitement and pressures of having her songs featured on editorial playlists, highlighting the impact it can have on her career trajectory. She shares her desire to continue creating and building momentum, while acknowledging the pressure she puts on herself to achieve success.
Actor Molly Ringwald joins us to talk about a time in her life when her job was to pretend to be a normal American teenager, a job which made it impossible to actually be a normal American teenager.
How did she learn to survive? In an era when the internet has turned many more people into public figures, what can everybody else learn from her?
