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From an early age, praise arrived only when she was on stage. Affection disappeared the moment the curtain closed. Studio executives controlled every aspect of her life, from her weight and clothing to her sleep and meals. She was given pills to wake up, pills to go to sleep, and stimulants to keep her thin and energetic enough to meet impossible production schedules. They mocked her appearance, calling her plain and awkward, while simultaneously demanding that she embody magic and perfection on screen. The contradiction was devastating. She learned that love was conditional, approval was temporary, and security could vanish without warning.
