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When she signed with MGM in the 1930s, her rise to stardom accelerated—but so did the demands placed upon her. Studio executives shaped her image relentlessly, enforcing strict routines and expectations that left little room for rest or self-discovery. Even as she delivered unforgettable performances, including her iconic role in The Wizard of Oz, she struggled privately with exhaustion and insecurity. The contrast between her joyful on-screen presence and her off-screen challenges became one of the defining tensions of her life.
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