Letter to Lindsay Lohan ...

Dear Lindsay,

I just read about your suspected DUI arrest yesterday and I hope that you're out of the hospital and feeling better soon.

Being famous is not easy, especially at your age when every single move you make is chronicled by the press and the rest of the world, because it seemingly leaves you no room to grow up and make the kind of mistakes everyone else your age is making without paparazzi coverage. That's a hard place to be and a hard thing to deal with - especially on a daily basis.

I know that things with your father are strained and that your mother is your best friend, but right now, at this difficult time in your life, you need two things: (1) a mother who is a parent first and best friend second, and (2) a safe place (whether it's rehab or somewhere else) to get away from the craziness of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and spend some time finding your footing and getting grounded. And while I realize that the idea of taking time off from the business for a few months (I would recommend at least 4 months, preferably 6), is probably extremely scary to you, I also know that no one is going to forget about you in that short period of time. In fact, they will probably respect you more because of it.

Life is too short to be messing around with drugs and alcohol, especially in this business. And while it may be getting you great press coverage, it's certainly not doing anything for your career. The worse your behavior gets, the less people are going to want to work with you because the truth of the matter is this: the entertainment industry is a business first and foremost; a business about making money. If you're not able to work, or if you start causing production delays because of your behavior, you're costing people money and the more money you cost them, the less they are going to want to hire you. Is that what you really want? Or, do you really want to win an Oscar, which is what you keep saying? You can't have it both ways.

I understand how hard this business is and how scary it can be when you don't know where to turn or whom to trust, but let me tell you, there really are people out there who are willing and who want to help you through this difficult time in your life. I say this because I'm one of them and I would absolutely love to see you live up to your full potential as an actor and a human being. What a great example you could set for the hundreds of thousands of preteen and teenage girls who look up to you and who want to be just like you, especially your little sister, because I'm willing to bet that you don't want her to travel down the same road you're traveling down right now.

I'm 100% certain that if you can find a safe place to go and safe people to work with and to trust while you try to get your feet back on the ground, you can completely turn your life around and start walking down that "Oscar" road.

I believe in you,
Sharon

www.TheIndustryCoach.com
www.ActorsResourceCenter.com

Surprise, Surprise ... Rosie Leaves "The View!"

Well, it's official ...

Not only is Rosie O'Donnell leaving "The View," she's decided to leave the show as of TODAY! Gee, what a surprise! Whether you love her or you hate her, it seems that no matter where Rosie goes, controversy seems to follow ... Of course, Donald Trump must be having a field day with this one!

Then we have Jessica Biel, who mentions in a magazine interview that she's not being offered the roles she'd like, such as "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (that went to Scarlett Johansson). As The Industry Coach®, I can certainly empathize with her plight. Many of my clients feel the exact same way that she does, and I would offer her the same advice I offer them: Instead of taking roles in movies like "Summer Catch" and "Stealth," tell your agent to start going after those small roles that will enable Hollywood to start viewing you in a different light.

The same holds true for Lindsay Lohan, who says she wants to win an Oscar. Although I haven't seen "Georgia" yet, I would offer you this one piece of advice: Yes, you may only be 20 (going on 21), and still need to have fun and enjoy your youth. However, until you start taking yourself seriously, the rest of Hollywood isn't going to, either. You can still be young and have fun, but if you really want to be taken seriously as an actress, then it's time for you to start making different choices.

And, one last word of advice to Paris Hilton regarding your jail sentence. I have no doubt that you're scared about going to jail. That's completely understandable. However, I would also bet that you are probably a lot stronger and tougher than you (or anyone else for that matter) give yourself credit for. Now it's time for you to show the world what you're really made of! You can do it ... I know you can!

Ciao,
Sharon

www.TheIndustryCoach.com