Key Takeaways:
– Hollywood’s expectations compelled late Star Wars star Carrie Fisher to strive for a thin, youthful look.
– James Blunt, a close friend of Fisher, disclosed details on stressful experiences she faced in showbiz.
– Fisher’s obsession with her appearance led to her misusing substances, according to Blunt.
The Unforgiving Hollywood Spotlight
Enshrined in our hearts and cinemahistory, Star Wars remains an epochal franchise, boasting a notable roster of stars, such as the dearly-departed Carrie Fisher. Her passing in 2016, at the age of 60, has left fans worldwide in sorrow. Even years after her sudden passing, Fisher’s legacy role as Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, keeps her alive in cinephile memories.
Examining the Showbiz Pressure
James Blunt, a noted musician and close friend of Fisher, recently shed light on the insurmountable industry pressures laid upon her. According to him, Fisher was coerced into maintaining a slender, youthful appearance, a fact that drove her to abuse her body leading up to her untimely demise.
Sharing insights from his memoir at the Hay Festival, Blunt elucidated Fisher’s physical self-abuse after reprising her iconic role as Princess Leia in the revived Star Wars movie. Unveiling their last interaction, Blunt noted Fisher’s keen awareness of the skewed gender expectations within the industry.
Fisher’s Fearless Voice
Fisher herself admitted, in a previous interview with Good Housekeeping UK, that the movie industry often overlooked her skills, focusing more on her weight and appearance. Her fans rejoiced at her reprisal of the beloved Princess Leia role, despite the physical and emotional toll of conforming to industry standards. Unbeknownst to them, these extreme pressures led Fisher to resort to drugs, shares Blunt.
The Drug Crisis in Fisher’s Life
Fisher’s battle with substance misuse became more pronounced following her return to Star Wars. Blunt asserts that the actress began using drugs again to cope with the relentless focus on her appearance. Her internal battle climaxed with a cardiac arrest during a flight from London to Los Angeles, leading to her passing in a hospital.
According to LA County coroner’s official records, Fisher had opiates, cocaine, methadone, and ethanol in her body at the time of her death. The correlation between her drug use and the cause of her death remains uncertain, as Blunt reflects on the flashy, drug-abundant party that Hollywood paints.
Lamentably, the poignant story of Fisher is a grim reminder of Hollywood’s unrealistic beauty standards. Despite her roaring talent, intellect, and wit, Fisher was compelled to conform to a beauty-obsessed industry that revolved around “weight and appearance”. This significantly skewed preference for physical appeal often undermines the core essence of women in the film industry.
Legend Lives On
Fisher’s unforgettable performances as Princess Leia can be revisited on Disney+. Her tragic story serves as a stern reflection on how unabating industry pressures can detrimentally affect vulnerable celebrities.
