The Price Of Hollywood

A few celebrities are coming out about their addiction problems. Probably more will too.
It's like the Catholic church. The code of silence.
Because most of these issues stem from, most likely, their youth here in Hollywood.
When actors are young, they are attractive. And attractive people get the attention of a TON of people they probably don't want. Still baffles me why people want fame.
But it would not surprise me if a few of them admitted they were sexually abused by a homosexual film executive. Or, in the case of women, heterosexual film executive.
For the most part, if you make level of celebrity, a few can honestly be held to "star" status. The rest are pretty people who become popular. Which, by the way, the more familiar you are with someone, the more attractive they are. That was the point of "Marty" (1955) and I would also contend Ernest Borgnine in real life. Fame adds points to attractiveness.

That said, I don't think a lot of these celebrities made it on talent and looks alone. I believe they exchanged sex for an opportunity. And I don't blame them.

See, back when I first got here (near 20 years ago), there was no social media. The industry was run by a handful of people. To crack this nut, any and all opportunities were also met with sleazy producers who wanted to take advantage of having your life in their hands. Most of the people who gained fame today have come out about these assaults. Some spoke out too soon and ruined them. Others, kept quiet and tried to enjoy their lives (substance abusers).

This business isn't all about wanting to stretch your artistic talent. It is a give and take world. Which when you are starting out, you really are confused as to how people could get to that point. 20 years later, I see how. The power of controlling beautiful people at will caused people like Harvey Weinstein. He lashed out on decades of being the fat unattractive guy. He discovered that having women at your will wasn't necessarily the point, but that he wanted them to love him for him. Which never happens, since that person was probably damaged getting to him. He buried his conscience and became the monster you see today. He is the quintessential reason most nerds get into making movies. To have control and power over attractive people.

This whole industry is a shifting tectonic plate. No one stays at the top forever (a long friggen time though). And in the inside world, nothing has changed.

I don't think you should trade your soul for fame. It's too high a price to pay. Learn to walk away and follow your instincts.