Dakota Fanning Reflects on Childhood Fame and Navigating the Challenges of Growing Up in the Spotlight

The actor opens up about inappropriate interviews, avoiding tabloid pitfalls, and the support system that helped her thrive in Hollywood

Dakota Fanning recently shared insights with The Cut about the often uncomfortable and inappropriate situations she faced as a child star. Beginning her acting career at just six years old, Fanning quickly became one of Hollywood’s most notable young talents with roles in films like Man on Fire, I Am Sam, and War of the Worlds.

“In interviews when I was very young, journalists would ask, ‘How are you avoiding becoming a tabloid figure?’ It was shocking,” Fanning recalled. “One time, someone asked me, ‘How could you possibly have any friends?’ I just thought, ‘What?’ It was bizarre.”

Fanning expressed sympathy for young stars who’ve struggled under the intense media scrutiny, acknowledging that while she managed to avoid many of the pitfalls, she credits this largely to her upbringing. “I don’t think it’s entirely linked to the industry,” Fanning noted. “There are other factors involved, but I was fortunate. My family—loving, kind, and protective—played a huge role.”

Having recently earned an Emmy nomination for her role in Netflix’s Ripley, and appearing in the streamer’s hit limited series The Perfect Couple alongside Nicole Kidman, Fanning remains a prominent figure in Hollywood. During her interview, she gave special credit to her mother, who supported her throughout her career from a young age. “She taught me how to treat others and myself,” Fanning said. “And she was always there, every step of the way. I was treated with respect, never like a prop. I worked with people who saw me as a fellow actor, even at a young age.”

This past summer, Fanning appeared in the Warner Bros. thriller The Watchers, and she’s already preparing for her next big role in Paramount’s upcoming horror film Vicious, set to be released in 2025.