L.A. Candy

L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad

Yet another celebrity who thinks just because she’s a celebrity she can dabble in whatever she wants and can still become a New York Times bestselling author. Lauren Conrad, a Laguna Beach teenager that changed reality television by not only promoting fame but the rise of teenage television stardom. Lauren Conrad became famous by co-starring in the hit television ‘reality show’ when she was eighteen years old. Lucky for her she became a millionaire, had another hit show, became a fashion designer, a bestselling author and screams self promotion. No offense to LC because I actually am a fan of hers, (I grew up looking up to her) she represents this idea that fame is how we become successful. Hello your audience is reaching middle school girls, this is not the right message to be sending tweens. Her image encourages the idea that fame is almost normal and easy to fall into. In her first book series, L.A. Candy she essentially tells the story of her real life and how making it in Los Angeles, a sea of fake people and friends who will stab you in the back no matter the cost of fame. Flat, predictable and characters who sport Chanel purses, this book sends the wrong message and is a recipe for disaster for young minds.

              Reading the first in the series, I really did not understand the point to this book (I had to force myself to read the other two books). It is essentially a novelization of her hit show on MTV, The Hills. It focuses on a young girl who becomes a reality show star and her life in Los Angeles, California. Although this type of fiction is certainly trendy and popular at the moment, parents may not be all that worried because they see it as only a trend, something that won’t be cool in a few years. However with a culture that is constantly being bombarded with Hollywood, constant celebrity gossip, rumors and the high life. Our society and culture is certainly being influenced by this role of celebrity lifestyle and fame playing a crucial part of who we are as the American youth.  Although the books focus on the life of fame for young girls, in real life I think Lauren is one of very few celebrities that try to stay away from the fame and drama. She has done an excellent way of trying to live a life on the ‘down low.’