REGINA: What was your life like?
MARIANNE: Exciting. Confusing. It was flattering to have successful men want you so overtly.
REGINA: Confusing?
MARIANNE: It was confusing to have come from a small town where people marry their high school sweethearts. I grew up in a town where dating and sex were special. In Hollywood, sex was expected. I foolishly thought all this attention from men was sincere. It’s a sobering realization when you know you’re smart. I was at the top of my class in college, I was well-respected and I didn’t want to be famous, or part of Hollywood…an actress or whatever. I was working for the paycheck and sure there were lots of young, attractive, driven men who wanted to date me. What young girl wouldn’t be flattered? I didn’t realize it was just a game that was being played and that I was nothing more than the prey of the day.
REGINA: Demoralizing, to say the least.
MARIANNE: There are so many ways in which the Hollywood culture messes with a young girl’s mind and morals. It’s not always a black and white trade off...sex for a job.
It starts the minute you arrive. It’s slow brainwashing that tells you you’re not pretty enough. The men, the ads, and the movies all pick away at your security either through the media or personal exchanges.
“Have you gained weight?”
“Take that makeup off.”
“You should wear more makeup.”
“You need false eyelashes...just in the corners of your eyes.”
“Never wear high-waisted jeans.”
“There’s always someone younger and prettier.”
“Why would he want you when he can have anyone?”
“You women, you know what your power is...sex.”
“Women control men; they control the sex.”
"If you want to control a man, you shouldn't have sex with them" (usually said right after having sex)