Leave Lindsay Lohan Alone! Her Career Is Not Over

By Amber James Posted Jul 7th 2010 01:10PM

Pop-Ed: The courtroom walls seemed to cave in on Lindsay Lohan when the judge sentenced her to 90 days in jail for violating her probation in a three-year-old drug and drunk driving case. The young woman, who just minutes earlier was anxiously fidgeting in her seat, was now broken and bawling. At that moment, I was heartbroken. She was being thrown under the bus and made an example of.

I am not denying that she's had some low points (from her drug and alcohol abuse to her stints in rehab), but she doesn't deserve to be turned into a Hollywood scapegoat. No one is perfect. I'm a firm believer in second chances, and believe Lohan will pull it together and people will start taking her seriously again. Yes, I am rooting for Team Lohan.

The gripping reality of her past reared its ugly head in court yesterday, exposing a young and vulnerable woman who just needs help. Imagine being 24 years old and having your every move critiqued. Honestly, if paparazzi followed most twentysomethings, they would probably make Lohan look like a saint. (There's a reason why college franchises like 'Animal House' and 'Van Wilder' are so popular -- most people can relate to it.) Yet the world is so fixated on her missteps that they refuse to forgive and move on. What are we waiting for?

Lohan optimistically tweeted on January 2 that she wouldn't let people bring her down. "My New Years resolution is to stop letting the lucky few that have my heart try to constantly tear me down." She continued, "2010 is about moving forward, not backwards. Leaving the bad (people, habits, and negative energy behind) time to make changes-right!?!?"

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Lindsay in Court

Lindsay Lohan reacts to a judges sentence at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010 in Los Angeles. More Photos >>

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Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 06: (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE ON THE SUBJECT'S FINGERNAIL) Actress Lindsay Lohan attends her probation revocation hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Lindsay Lohan was found in violation of her probation for the August 2007 no-contest plea to drug and alcohol charges stemming from two separate traffic accidents, she is scheduled to surrender on July 20, 2010 to serve her 90 day jail sentence. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan cries as she is sentenced to 90 days jail by Judge Marsha Revel during her hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010. The star had apparently painted the nail of her middle finger with the words 'Fuck U'. Troubled Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan broke down in tears after she was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating her probation in two 2007 drunk driving cases. The actress, once a red-headed Disney films star and promising A-lister whose career since has spun off course, also was ordered to participate in a 90-day inpatient substance abuse program. After Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel sentenced Lohan, 24, the actress and fashion muse wept in court. AFP PHOTO/POOL/David McNew (Photo credit should read DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images)

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 06: Actress Lindsay Lohan attends her probation revocation hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Lindsay Lohan was found in violation of her probation for the August 2007 no-contest plea to drug and alcohol charges stemming from two separate traffic accidents, she is scheduled to surrender on July 20, 2010 to serve her 90 day jail sentence. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan cries as she is sentenced to 90 days jail by Judge Marsha Revel during her hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010. She sobbed and pleaded in court not to be thrown in jail, but troubled Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan had another, far less plaintive message for the judge, written on the fingernail of her middle finger. Photographers using telephoto lenses captured photos showing that Lohan, hand pressed against her mouth, had the words "fuck u" carefully written over a multicolored pastiche of pastel nail polish(Middle Finger-R). The judge ordered Lohan, 24, to spend 90 days in jail for violating probation in two 2007 drunken driving cases. She also was ordered to take part in a 90-day in-patient substance abuse program. AFP PHOTO/POOL/David McNew (Photo credit should read DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images)

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 06: Actress Lindsay Lohan (L) and lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley attend a probation revocation hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Lindsay Lohan was found in violation of her probation for the August 2007 no-contest plea to drug and alcohol charges stemming from two separate traffic accidents, she is scheduled to surrender on July 20, 2010 to serve her 90 day jail sentence. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lindsay Lohan;Shawn Chapman Holley

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 06: Actress Lindsay Lohan (C) and lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley attend a probation revocation hearing at the Beverly Hills Courthouse on July 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Lindsay Lohan was found in violation of her probation for the August 2007 no-contest plea to drug and alcohol charges stemming from two separate traffic accidents, she is scheduled to surrender on July 20, 2010 to serve her 90 day jail sentence. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lindsay Lohan;Shawn Chapman Holley

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

In December, Lohan traveled across India to film a BBC documentary to raise awareness and find a solution to stop child trafficking. Although we think her trip was done out of the the kindness of her heart, the public seemed to think it was simply a PR stunt to tweak her "party girl" image. Either way, it was obvious that even her humanitarian efforts failed to positively change her career ... even a little bit.

The backlash continued after the BBC released a trailer of her documentary. Gossip blogs tore the clip apart: Lindsay Lohan Pretends To Care; Lindsay Lohan Does Good, Looks Awkward; Samaritan LiLo's Comic Relief Skit. The public was skeptical of her sincerity, even though she was trying to shine a light on a serious issue that desperately needs more attention. What do you want from her? She never said she was going to change the world in one day.

Public perception of the starlet started to go downhill during the summer of 2007 when she was arrested twice for driving under the influence. Aside from driving drunk, police involved in her July arrest found cocaine in Lohan's pocket. Weeks later, Lohan checked herself into Cirque Lodge Treatment Center, a high-class rehabilitation center frequented by many stars. It was her second rehab stint, having gone once before in January of 2007.

She seems to be face-to-face with the same reality Britney Spears had when the pop princess shaved her hair in an effort to tell the world to leave her alone. With celebrities so overexposed today, their public and private personas get blurred. People seem to associate "Lindsay Lohan" with the scandals and gossip and don't give her the opportunity to be accepted as a real person with feelings. She's not plastic, folks.

No one can deny the talent she had in 'The Parent Trap' and 'Mean Girls,' but few can get past her hard-partying ways. I'm not saying her recent films like 'Herbie Fully Loaded,' 'I Know Who Killed Me' and 'Labor Pains' (which went straight to cable) were blockbusters, but she was pretty much blamed for bringing each film to the ground. That's a lot of pressure. Could you perform at your best if everyone used you like a punching bag?

Her upcoming films are said to be make or break career moves and are proof that her career is getting a reboot. She is due to portray 1970s porn star Linda Lovelace, star of 'Deep Throat,' in the biopic film 'Inferno,' and she's already filmed Robert Rodriguez's 'Machete,' which is scheduled for release on Sept. 3, 2010. 'Inferno' writer-director Matthew Wilder told the AP after the ruling that he and his crew remain "100 percent behind Lindsay" and "proud to have this remarkable artist work on our film," he said.

Even Kerry Wallum, a producer with Lucky Films, said Lohan was in negotiations for a role in the upcoming Willie Nelson movie 'The Dry Gulch Kid,' and that the production would wait for her if she wanted the part. "We're behind her," he said Tuesday. "We'll wait until all of this blows over."

Even though she's made a few mistakes, give her a break. She's human. The actress must begin serving her sentence on July 20, however, she likely won't serve the entire 90 days. Immediately after leaving jail, Lohan will spend another 90 days at an inpatient rehab facility. If Lindsay has made it this far, she'll persevere. The actress will again make headlines for her acting and not her acting out if she just puts her mind to it. This could mark the beginning of a new decade for Lindsay, as people begin to accept her as a serious actress and entrepreneur.

Here's to you, Lindsay. Now show us what you've got.

Should the world leave Lindsay alone?

Tags: lindsay lohan

Comments

(101)

Wednesday 07 July

By Cat

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Amber James (author of this piece) give it a rest! Lindsey Lohan is getting exactly what she deserves. This young woman has been given several chances, more than two or three, it's time for her to face the music. In all likihood she won't serve 90 days, probably not even 45 days - she needs to sit her pampered and privileged keister in the can for awhile in hopes that perhaps she'll be humbled, face herself, and pull her head out of the toilet bowl of the existence she's created.
Hollywood starlets don't deserve any better treatment than any other human being - in fact - perhaps harsher treatment isn't a bad idea given that they serve as role models (yes, like it or not) for young people. Lindsey has done nothing but thumb her nose at the law all the while glamorizing drinking and drugging - shame on her! Sit in jail and think for awhile, don't feel sorry for yourself, get your act together.

By WORLDCUP

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

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By armin

The judge did her a favor, if she has a brain in her head, she will use it to get her crap together and straighten out her life before it is too late. She should thank the good Lord that the judge cared enough to try to straighten her out

By themeeker

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

She has no brain to get in order and her career is definitely over. Put her in the recycle bin with Mel Gibson.

Thursday 08 July

By michel

I agree that Lindsay is getting what she deserves...time to clean up and hopefully get some help and stay away from her parents....they seem a huge part of her problems. Children have no business being a family's meal ticket...shame on parents who do that. they can hide behind..."it's what they want to do"...well, most of them end up like Lindsay, and who would really want that!?
Let them be kids and decide for themselves later in life. and one more thing...Why is "Toddlers & Tieras" on the air at all? Child services should be called in and arrest each and every one of those greedy parents!
thanks,
M

By Supergirl

I totally agree! Had any random person been caught doing the same things she has done they would have been in jail already. To add to it, she had left the country. Regardless of her intentions when doing so, she broke the law. She went against the courts and basically flipped the bird at the law and did as she pleased thinking she was immune. I don't think the judge was too harsh on her either. I think she deserves more punishment than she has gotten. An average person would have already spent that amount of time in jail in the first place and then would have more time added to make up for breaking probation. Then there are the revoked drivers licenses and fines out the yin yang. Because they have money and are well known (for what I don't know) they do get away with everything. It isn't fair and these stars should have to pay the same price as everyone else if not more because of the fact that they are so publicly known. She is and was a role model for young girls even if the majority of us hate her. She needs to be setting an example because she is in the public eye. If she doesn't like that then she should find another career. Ha ha, cleaning up the highway would be nice!

By caraanise116

Actually, she does need to be made into an example that just because you're a celeb, it doesn't mean that you won't get punished for getting in trouble. She's messed up like other people in Hollywood who had way too many chances. It'll take forever and may be impossible to get our respect for her.
Good luck, Lohan.

By lady5450

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY AMBER GOT PAY FOR LINDSAY TO WRITE THE ??????????????????????????????????????????????????

Monday 12 July

By kaysings

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Actually, I was just thinking that Lindsay probably paid Ms. James a small fortune to write this drivel. James offers a weak case if any at all, and I think it's absolutely hilarious that anyone would publish something this ridiculous.

By Nico Toscani

Talk about misplaced sympathy. The author of this "article" should pull their head out of their rear end. Lohan's career has ALREADY BEEN OVER for quite some time now (probably had something to do with her general lack of talent). If anything this extra publicity will probably help her, which is just pathetic. We would all be lucky if this was the last we ever heard of her.

By catspeak

Lindsey got exactly what she deserved. She had her chance in getting help but lied, made excuses to skip out on her sessions that she was required to attend. Perhaps this will wake her up and make her realize this is not a game. She's lucky to not have been behind the wheel of a car and kill someone while drinking or on drugs.

Hollywood celebs are coddled way to much and should be made an example of.

By BB

Amber, you're part of the problem with this young woman. You're the enabling type that seems to think it's okay because wow oh wow, she just so talented. It's actually more tragic that this young woman is talented and squandering it with drugs and booze rather than buckling down and really applying that talent. Does it occur to you at all Amber, that Lindsay is not getting big studio movie offers for a reason? It's not that they don't find her talented, it's that she has problems, problems that usually cost money if she's not ready to perform. Even most of these smaller films that you mentioned in your hugs and kisses article (are you really a journalist? this is like a 15 year old girl's mash letter to a celebrity. Even your arguments for loving Lindsay so are those of a little girl) want her because her celebrity will bring their smaller movie press. Linda Lovelace? Really? This is not a career move...it's taking a revolver loading it with four bullets, putting it to your head and spinning the chamber. It's an awful choice for any actress.

Look, no one is arguing Lindsay is talented. I haven't even heard anyone say her career is over...well, except you. But this young woman needs help. And unlike most people her age who get in this kind of trouble, she's been given more and more rope. Enough to hang herself with. Now she has to pay. Hopefully she, her enabling parents, and all who support her will now actually help her instead of allowing this unstable young woman with money and access to continue to spiral down. And please, Amber, no more love letters to Lindsay's career. It makes you look sophmorific and oblivious to the problems this girl is having.

By jetnlexi

I couldnot agree with you more....the young woman writing this piece sounds like a lovesick fan rather than a reporter. Didn't anyone proof this at all?? Miss Lohan has had many a chance without consequence and the judge did her a favor. And as for Lindsay's talent.....every time someone writes about it, it's always the same...."she was so talented in Parent Trap and Mean Girls"....no offense..but it has been a while now since those two movies were made...and it was only two movies. She needs to do her time and get herself together and then really take on a role that will put the talk to rest.....you know, ten years ago I was a champion baton twirler.....doesn't mean I still am!! The same goes for Lohan...I'll believe she's still talented when she proves it to us....not from ten years ago.

By dragonease

What career? What talent?

By gary

Amber, everyone deserves multiple chances in life. Even Lindsay Lohan deserves more chances. As many have said in the past twenty-four hours, just look at Robert Downey Jr. Addicts need to want to turn things around before things will get turned around. I sincerely hope that she makes that decision before she kills an innocent bystander. However, bear in mind that she is not only an addict, but also a mean and nasty person. Just ask anyone who has ever worked for her -- I have. Lastly, her swelled head needs to be greatly reduced in size to be able to turn things around, or at least, to fit into her inevitable coffin if she doesn't straighten out. PS, she needs to get away from her moronic sister!!!

By Dlg

Your sympathy is quite misplaced! You are blaming the public and the paparazzi for Ms. Lohan's mistakes instead of asking why, if she was sincerely concerned about her career and the legal issues she faced, did she not stop partying almost nightly. It is time this young woman take responsibility for her actions. The paparazzi and public did not force her to drink and get behind the wheel of a car; a dangerous situation, which could have led to injury of death of other innocent people. The judge's decision is literally the only thing that may finally help this young women to face her actions and addictions. It's only sad that her mother does not love her child enough to stop denying that she has a problem. Time to grow up Lindsay!

By RAS

All this article is doing is enabling LL and people like her who look to blame everyone else for their poor choices. LL thought that DUI's and fulfillment of probabtion requirements were for " other people". Now she knows better.

By Ruth

Lindsay needs to leave me alone, isn't her 15 minutes up yet?

By Allison

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Leave you alone? Just stop looking!!

By Josh

Amber James: What a load of BS you're shoveling. Lohan is garbage and should have gotten a longer sentence than she did.

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