What do young starlets and media magnets Lindsay Lohan and Scarlett Johansson have in common? A lot and not much.
Both are husky-voiced beauties filled with talent and potential well on their way to major movie careers; both grew up in New York; both started acting in their tweens, have displayed versatility and appealing personalities hosting Saturday Night Live, and are still quite young: Lohan 19, Johansson, 21. Both dated actor and 30 Seconds to Mars singer Jared Leto. This is about where the similarities end.
Before Lohan became tabloid fodder, she was a fresh-faced, girl-next-door type, best known for her dual role as twins in the remake of The Parent Trap: likable, sweet and endearing. In just eight short years, Lindsay Lohan has transformed herself from likable to loathable. In an attempt to capitalize on her fame, she has also dabbled in pop music.
In a case of too much too soon, she has become as famous for her off-screen exploits as for her celluloid or musical presence: exploits that include drug use, public nudity, revolving-door boyfriends, cat fighting, alarming weight-loss, trying to bed famous actors twice her age, and generally bizarre behavior many suspect could be the result of an out-of-control cocaine habit.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay can be an extremely effective actress: delivering, for example, an inspired and convincing performance in the critically acclaimed film Mean Girls . In the movie, derived from the book Queenbees and Wannabees and scripted by SNL head writer Tina Fey, Lohan plays an outcast turned popular girl. Interestingly, Lohan's transformation in the film in many ways parallels her off-screen backwards evolution in real life.
Scarlett Johansson, on the other hand is steady and composed. She embraces her curvy and natural body while projecting confidence and maturity well beyond her years. Described as grounded and serene, Scarlett is best known for her role as the object of the avuncular affections of the great Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. Private and graceful, Johansson shuns the paparazzi, speaking out against how intrusive and dangerous their pursuit of stars can be.
Scarlett Johansson
![Girl with a Pearl Earring [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZVBQRVF2L._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mark Saleski
thanks dawn. now i'm supposed to get work done after viewing those photos?
2 - Casey Lunkley
I don't like either of them, especially since, somehow, Scarlett Johansson still gives off the image of being classy, even after posing nude on a magazine cover.
3 - Steve C.
I can't help it. I find it difficult to accept that Lindsay goddamn Lohan is in Robert Altman's new movie. That's just too much cognitive dissonance for one head. Then again, I also believe that Mean Girls is an overrated hunk of poop. So your mileage may vary.
4 - Dawn
Nothing wrong with posing nude, at least Scarlett got paid for it, Lindsay seems to do it for free due to seemingly "drug-induced" goofiness.
I generally like both as actresses - I just think Scarlett is making some very smart choices and using her head to make her way in a very exploitive like of work.
5 - Eric Olsen
I like them both also, but hope Lindsay can get hold of her personal problems
6 - Bliffle
Scarlett is a great beauty and should not lose even one pound of weight.
7 - Dawn
Hey Casey, where did Scarlett pose nude anyway - I like to see those pictures.
8 - Steve C.
It was on the cover of Vanity Fair. Her and Keira Knightley. Lots of skin, little naughty-bit nudity. Though there was a great angle on Scarlett's amazing alabaster ass.
9 - Casey Lunkley
That whole Vanity Fair thing had more controversy from who refused to do the nudity (Rachel McAdams) than the ones who actually participated in the nude scene.
A little ironic.
10 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Great article as always, Dawn, but it was also worth it, in some bizzarro-world way, to see the linked headline "Lindsay Lohan Is Beginning to Frighten The Children." What was she thinking? It was the "Kid's Choice Awards"!
11 - reggie von woic
What? Nothing about Scarletts bust?
I'm sure you're all just holding back.
12 - Dawn
Her bust rules, what more can I add?
13 - Mark Bellinghaus
Thank you Dawn, for your article that was so well seasoned with two sexy and hot starlets that can make any pill called Viagra or Cialis just unneccessary!
If Lindsay can learn how to drive under the influence and and escape those hunting her paparazzis, she will be much saver! And why do these wonderful young starlets become so ridiculous skinny?
Scarlet has the Monroe-figure and the sexappeal as well. She knows how to work it and she is in my opinion the BEST thing that Hollywood has seen in a long run. And just like Marilyn Monroe--she was overseen twice by the Accademy for her great performances.
Of course I'd go out with both--even together, I know some clubs on Sunset that would be fun for that. lol
Regarding Jared Leto: Who has NOT dated him. Even my former roommate, a super sexy gorgeous blonde Candian girl told me that she saw JL, I did not believe her, until she played me his message from her answering machine.
I always thought he was dating "Alexander" (just kidding) Weird HOLLYWOOD!
Scarlet, if you happen to see this--I am available and you may wear some real Marilyn Monroe dress on our date!
You'd look so stunning in it. But better without it of course.
14 - Eric Olsen
spicey rack indeed
15 - Lono
what more need be said than Dawn's comment #12? My work here is done
16 - Chris Evans
Great article, Dawn.
I personally like both actresses, but prefer Lindsay. I kind of see Scarlett as more of a Kate Winslet and Lindsay as more of a Julia Roberts.
Lindsay has this charisma that makes her lovable (on screen, that is), and like you said, Scarlett's slow and steady but effective style is great as well.
I'd really like Lindsay to start getting more respect in the industry, but I have to say, a lot of it is her own fault. Her image started plummeting when she lost weight and dyed her hair, and has continued to stay down with constant news of feuds, drugs, and promiscuity.
She needs to clean up her act.
But I think with the new movies she's doing, she's gonna gain some more adult fans.
17 - Dawn
Well, Lindsay is only 19, if anyone has a chance to clean up their act, it's her.
18 - JP
Personally, I see a lot more talent in Scarlett, and that's partly because she attempts to keep the focus there instead of on her off screen behavior.
19 - Chris Evans
But someone's off-screen behavior doesn't necessarily reflect their talent in any way, really.
20 - Mark Bellinghaus
Absolutely TRUE. Look at Courney Love. lol
She was brilliant in "People VS. Larry Flint"!
21 - Mark Bellinghaus
Courtney, sorry.
22 - Dawn
Mark, you're totally right about Courtney, although it only supports my theory that some artists are at their best playing characters that most closely resemble their real life personality: junkie whore in her case.
23 - Phillip Winn
I know one difference between them -- Scarlet Johansson is gorgeous.
24 - may
before im such a fan of lindsay and scarlet until now...they're both gorgeous but im starting to doubt lindsay..because if she'll continue her dirty act..surely there's no good thing coming back to her..and she might even lose her career...o scarlet..you rock!
25 - JELIEL³
Comparing The Goddess to that pop-tart is heresy (Can you tell I’m biased?) Great Article.