In a revealing conversation on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast, Molly Ringwald shared her concerns about her 20-year-old daughter pursuing an acting career in Hollywood. The iconic actress of 1980s teen films, known for her roles in “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink,” has tried to dissuade her daughter from entering the industry due to the challenges and dangers young women face.
Ringwald, who began her career at a young age, reflected on her own experiences, noting, “I never really felt like I was part of a community when I was in Hollywood, just because I was so young, really. I wasn’t into going out to clubs. I feel like I’m more social now than I was then. I was just too young.”
Maron responded by suggesting that she was fortunate to have avoided serious exploitation, to which Ringwald replied, “Oh, I was taken advantage of. You can’t be a young actress in Hollywood and not have predators around.” She explained that her “incredible survival instinct and a pretty big superego” helped her navigate these predatory environments.
Despite her efforts to steer her daughter away from acting, Ringwald acknowledges the difficulty of changing her mind. “It can be harrowing,” she said, emphasizing the industry’s harsh realities.
Reflecting on her past work, Ringwald recently watched “The Breakfast Club” with her daughter and found some scenes outdated. She expressed discomfort with elements of the film, such as the character John Bender’s sexual harassment of her character. “I’m glad we’re able to look at that and say things are truly different now,” she noted.
Ringwald’s evolving perspective on her films highlights the changes in societal norms and the ongoing need to protect young actors in Hollywood. “When I made those movies with John Hughes, his intention was to not make ‘Porky’s’ or ‘Animal House,’” she said. “But I think, as everyone says and I do believe is true, that times were different and what was acceptable then is definitely [not] acceptable now.”
Her candid reflections underscore the complexity of her legacy and the importance of fostering a safer environment for the next generation of actors.
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