Whenever I see pictures or read something about 15-year-old child actress Dakota Fanning, I always think to myself “this girl is the same age as Ali Lohan”. It really puts everything in perspective, I think. One is a bright, accomplished young woman who balances a full and active high school education (complete with cheerleading and homecoming princess-hood) with a kick-ass film career. The other is content to be “home-schooled” at The Girls’ School of Cracked-Out Messes. With that in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed Dakota’s Teen Vogue December cover interview – she comes across as intelligent but not arrogant, professional but still a kid. Here are some of the highlights:
Dakota, on her reason for taking the role of Jane in New Moon:
“I read all four Twilight books in one week. It’s such a phenomenon, and I wanted to be able to say that I was a part of it.”On her co-star Kristen Stewart:
“We became really close, like we’d known each other for our whole lives. We talk all the time.”Kristen Stewart on Dakota:
“Dakota is one of the most consistently moving actors I have ever worked with. I’m always better with her.”On playing a mean girl for the first time:
“I’ve never been such an evil character, and because I do know Kristen so well, being mean to her was really weird. It’s like, Sorry, dude!”On her transition into an adult actress:
“I’m going to get older, and I want to act for the rest of my life—it’s what I love—so I have to move forward with my career. The choices that I make might not always please everyone, but I have to do what I feel is appropriate and right for the time.”On wanting to attend high school:
“I really wanted a home base, because I feel like no matter how old people are, they remember homecoming. They remember their senior prom. And I really wanted that.”On her teen rebellion:
“I get my rebellion out through my movies. I’m boring in that way. I enjoy having a normal life.”
[From Teen Vogue]
I have my fingers crossed that she stays this well-adjusted. Hell, at this point, in the grand scope of child actors who break down later in life, I consider professional bag-ladies Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to be successful, you know? But obviously, I have higher hopes for Dakota. Perhaps the Jodie Foster model would be best for her. It seems to have worked out for Kristen Stewart. Oh, and that’s another reason why I like Kristen Stewart – I find her friendship with Dakota to be incredibly sweet. It could come across as patronizing, for an older actress who made the successful transition from child actress to adult to take Dakota under her wing. But Kristen makes it seem very natural, and like she’s coming from a place of genuine friendship.
Here’s Dakota in Teen Vogue. Photos thanks to Oh No They Didn’t.
You can’t compare Dakota Fanning to Ali Lohan at all, that’d be like comparing a pumpkin to an iron or something.
dakota is really growing into her looks and is stunning. she has always been cute but i can see her starting to be tagged as jail bait very very soon.
Call me a tight ass prude but I don’t think this photoshoot is appropriate for a 15 year old girl. I mean #2… NO.
Also, I remember reading similar articles featuring Natalie Portman and Claire Danes going on and on about how “normal” and smart they are. and we all know how that turned out.
Dakota Fanning is one very talented actress. I think Dakota will win an Oscar one day, mark my words.
Kristen Stewart is more of a flavor of the month, hype. Non-stop blinking and biting of your lower lip, is not something that will make me feel anything for a character. Hopefully some of what Dakota has as an actress can somehow rub off on Kristen by association.
Isn’t Kristen Stewart like 3 years older then Dakota Fanning? So she is hardly more accomplished or more experienced actress then Dakota. I consider Fanning way more success (considering how many movies she has done and how many famous actors she has worked with already) and experienced then Stewart. So good for her.
I…think I don’t have a single thing to say against this kid.
Funny story though:
When my mother and I went to see Hide and Seek in theaters, my mother turned and whispered to me “That weird little kid is either going to be a beauty or uglier than your Uncle Dave.”
She was right, she’s growing in to her looks.
I agree Betty, when Miley or Ali is photographed in an outfit like that, its gross. Same goes for Dakota Fanning. I think maybe she comes off as more mature so you don’t really think about how she is only 15 years old..but I agree, a little too much “leg action” for my taste. Also, her leg is really poorly photoshopped. Look at how the shape goes near the bend…stop trying to make our teens look more sexy. Ick.
I think she is very beautiful. SHE IS COVERED, so this is not inapropriate. Miley was half naked. Two completely different kinds of pics.
Exactly, Samantha.
and it is NOT “normal” OR healthy for a 15 year old to see her skinny legs shoped to look even thinner on a magazine cover.
Sigh, my point is just because this young girl isn’t out clubbing in skimpy outfits doesn’t mean she’s home free…
children do not belong in show business, and I’m sick of Hollywood shoving child actors with tame reputations down our throats as if these kids live perfect, unaffected, magical lives. /end of rant.
I think Dakota is awesome. I loved her in the miniseries “Taken”!!!
Dakota is beautiful….but she doesn’t need to try so hard to look grown up yet….also, her role in the Secret Life Of Bees was phenomenal, She is such a great actress in all of her scenes and it appeared the other actors were out of her league…don’t get me wrong, the other actresses were good but, it is because of that fact the movie sucked…They may have been just a little intimidated by her talent and it showed…She is what they call a scene stealer, even with her new grown up look….
Did they Photoshop her face/legs in some of these pics??? At 15, what is there to Photoshop? She just looks a little plastic in some of the pics. Darling girl either way. Luv her!
LOL heb!!!
She makes me smile.
BitterBetty, you said call me a prude, well….you are a prude.
As far as hollywood shoving child actors down your throat as you put it. Well yes hollywood isn’t the best environment for a child but they need children for roles at times. So your being an idiot.
And lastly what you said about natalie portman, sure she’s smug and a bit narsassistic, but besides that she is pretty normal. She’s not our there hopping clubing without underwear, etc. She’s hardworking and pretty normal (except the smug part)
Basically I found everything you said stupid.
I really love this girl ever since I Am Sam! I saw that controversial movie she was in “Houndog” and she was amazing in that as well. This girl is definetly like an old soul. I really hope she stays on this path… making great movies.. and she is starting to become a fashion icon. You rock girl!
BB – “Call me a tight ass prude but I don’t think this photoshoot is appropriate for a 15 year old girl. I mean #2… NO.”
Yeah. And stop those young whippersnappers from wearing makeup. And wearing clothes that didn’t come from the Gap or Old Navy. And who does she think she is, wearing heels and all that? Oh, that pic #2 – how dare she wear a dress that has a modest neckline and is at least a few inches longer than what most girls her age are wearing?
I swear, these kids today are communing with the devil. Evil, Dakota. EEEEvil.
Lord.
LMAO @ BEn! passive aggressive much?
Considering objectified 15 year olds float your boat, the label ‘prude’ is a compliment coming from you. and believe it or not I care more about children’s well-being then Hollywood’s casting needs.
Lastly, Portman herself recently confessed to cutting herself after acting it out in a movie. and she’s talked extensively about feeling traumatized as a child after reading reviews of her performance in “the professional”, describing her prepubescent body in detail.
Basically, I think you’re that disgruntled former model chick from that Filippa Hamilton post. LOLZ
snowball: it’s all about context.
Dressing up is one thing, posing on the cover of a magazine is a another.
And I was in no way criticizing Dakota. if anything I am advocating for her right to discover sexuality in a safe environment and on her own terms – not on a narrow ‘Teen Vogue’ scope, while having to promote a movie.
So she shows a little bit of leg in a magazine article– big deal! It’s not like she’s Ali Lohan out clubbing in mesh belly shirts and short shorts with stilettos. I sincerely doubt that Dakota’s everyday attire consists of semi-revealing dresses.
Dakota is a talented, intelligent girl who has a good head on her shoulders, and I can totally respect and admire that. I hope she stays that way and has a long career- I’d wager that she works more in a week than Lohan does in an entire year.
I’m with BitterBetty. They could have lengthened those skirts to THREE inches below crotch-length and skipped the come f*ckme pumps. She’s only 15 years old for heaven’s sake.
She’s fabulous. Jodie Foster is an apt comparison. This gal will be around for a long, long time, educated, well-rounded and stable. Her parents get a ton of credit for a child-rearing success.
She’s exquisite, and these pictures of her are beautiful, especially the first one. I’ve never had anything bad to say about this girl. She’s talented, classy and chooses interesting roles. I was surprised when I heard she was playing Jane in New Moon but it makes perfect sense, and honestly Jane is one of the most badass characters in the series. She’s going to rock it.
wellp to play the devils advocate here, linsday lohan was successful and relatively normal at 15 too! ;p
Wow!! BitterBetty….
You sound just like a real Psycho-oligist!
When Dakota first started acting, I’ll admit, I was a little put-off by her looks but I have to agree she has really grown into them. She will definitely be a real beauty when she grows up, even more so than she is now. I also think the skirt length is way too short! This trend just makes me uncomfortable; all these young girls are dressing in mini skirts seems to be just asking for trouble. I’m not an old geezer, I’m only 26 and I live in the OC so I see plenty of trampy little outfits where I live, but lately I’ve been seeing many more high school and even junior high girls letting everything just hang out for the world to see and maybe some of you don’t think that’s a problem but it sure makes me nervous for them with the sick predators that are out there.
compared to what i see some 12 year olds wearing at the mall she is very modestly dressed. she is wearing….a dress and you can see her LEGS *gasp* THE HORROR!!!!!!!!
love her. love he talent. love her normality. who is Ali Lohan?
Gotta go with BitterBetty and Squirtle on this. Fanning is a beautiful, talented 15 year old girl. 15.
I live in LA, and seeing little girls dressed up trampy isn’t really too awesome in my book. Yes, the neckline is high, and it’s long sleeved… it’s also a mini dress, and just plain inappropriate for someone her age. I’m 25, and to be honest I’m sort of grossed out by what’s considered “appropriate” for young women today. I think it should also be taken into consideration that it’s not the dress – it’s also the overtly sexualized way in which the photo itself was taken (probably by a much older man).
Love her!! I love her talent, her sense of self, her intelligence…I really have to give kudos to her parents (who we thankfully NEVER hear from) for helping to keep this wonderful girl grounded. It’s a great thing to see; to watch her grow and her talent unfold—I’m proud of Dakota and I wish her all the best!
I don’t care if she is a “normal, well rounded, mature child actor” – She is still just that, a child. A 15 year old girl who is showing WAY too much leg. All of this “well she is doing way better than Ali” crap doesn’t make any sense. The outfit is too short. Simple as that. She is a great girl, great actress, and still a role model. At 15 she shouldn’t be telling the tweens of the world that having a skirt that almost flashes your undies is cool or age appropriate.
I am an adult and would not dress that provocatively, so I agree with BitterBetty. This is not appropriate for a 15 year old girl. If she wants to dress like this at 18, fine, but 15 is too young, IMHO. And yep, I’m a prude, but I’m one because I used to dress like this and had to deal with the consequences, so I don’t want to see other girls make the same mistake and think that dressing “sexy” is cool. All it does is create problems.
Dakota is absolutely gorgeous though, even though I wanted to beat her character in “War of the Worlds” to death with a brick because she was the most annoying child on Earth! LOL but that shows she’s talented, so carry on, Dakota!
@ BitterBetty
I have know idea what post you’re referring to but I’m a 17 year old guy.
Her parents have done a great job keeping her grounded, and she seems to recognize the need for that as well, which is remarkable for a 15 year old, let alone a famous one.
The dress is not the worst thing I’ve ever seen a teenager in, but it could be longer. If it were my 15 year old kid, I probably wouldn’t have approved that picture for publication, but other than that, she seems to stay classy and hopefully remains that way.
What is going on here? Since when wearing a dress at 15 is a crime. Please people chill out and go get drinks or something. She is almost 16 , i don’t know if you’ve been leaving under a rock for the last decade but this is how young people dress nowadays. people here need to stop acting like when they where 15 they didn’t know something about sex. You just have to deal with the fact that she is becoming a women.
I think the dress is fine. She does not dress up that way every day; she probably did not have a say on the styling of this shoot. With that said, I’m glad Dakota is staying as adorable and sweet as she is.
-meream
I don’t have a problem with the middle shot. We wore skirts that short in high school many years ago. The photo I have a bit of a problem with is the one with the pumps and really short skirt. It looks a bit tarty.
I think Dakota’s mother is pretty strict and I think the girl is level-headed. Both Miley Cyrus and Ali Lohan have parents who are living on their kids’ careers, because they don’t have one of their own.