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Molly Ringwald, the iconic star of *The Breakfast Club* and *Pretty in Pink*, recently opened up about her harrowing experiences as a young actress in Hollywood. During an appearance on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, the 56-year-old actress revealed that she was "taken advantage of" by predators in the early days of her career.
Ringwald, who began her acting journey as a child on sitcoms, candidly discussed the challenges she faced growing up in the entertainment industry. "I never really felt like I was part of a community when I was in Hollywood, just because I was so young," she explained. "I wasn't into going out to clubs. I feel like I'm more social now than I was then. I was just too young."
Maron, 60, remarked that Ringwald was fortunate to have avoided severe exploitation or dangerous situations. However, Ringwald responded, "Oh, I was taken advantage of. You can't be a young actress in Hollywood and not have predators around." She elaborated that her survival instincts and a strong sense of self-preservation helped her navigate these perilous waters, but she acknowledged that the experience was "harrowing."
Ringwald's reflections come at a time when her own 20-year-old daughter is pursuing a career in acting, despite her efforts to steer her away from the profession. "I did everything I could to convince her to do something else," Ringwald said. "And it's hard."
The actress also touched on the darker aspects of the films that made her a household name. Earlier this year, she criticized elements of *The Breakfast Club* and *Sixteen Candles*, noting that some scenes haven't aged well. In particular, she pointed out the problematic behavior of Judd Nelson's character, John Bender, in *The Breakfast Club*, who sexually harasses her character. "I'm glad we're able to look at that and say things are truly different now," she told The Times.
Ringwald's awareness of the changing cultural landscape extends to her own work. In a 2018 interview with NPR, she reflected on a troubling scene in *Sixteen Candles*, where Michael Schoeffling's character, Jake Ryan, contemplates taking advantage of his passed-out girlfriend. "When I made those movies with John Hughes, his intention was to not make *Porky's* or *Animal House*," Ringwald said. "But times were different, and what was acceptable then is definitely not acceptable now."
Despite her criticisms, Ringwald maintains a complex relationship with her past work. "I feel very differently about the movies now and it's a difficult position for me to be in because there's a lot that I like about them," she admitted. "And of course I don't want to appear ungrateful to John Hughes, but I do oppose a lot of what is in those movies."
Ringwald's experiences highlight the broader issues of exploitation and predatory behavior in Hollywood, especially for young actresses. Her insights are part of a growing conversation about the need for systemic change in the industry to protect vulnerable individuals from similar experiences.
As she continues to reflect on her career and its impact, Ringwald remains a vocal advocate for change, hoping that the next generation of actors, including her daughter, will face a safer and more equitable industry.
