It’s an unusual experience to watch a child star grow into an adult, following their career as we follow the development of their lives. It’s a strange thing to do.
Now, many children in Hollywood are nothing more than a flash in the pan. These children debut in a successful film or television series, only to see their star fade not long later. Even if they are occasionally acknowledged for their role, they most commonly end up working jobs that are considered “normal.”
However, there are also people whose star potential is completely realized. You know the kids I’m talking about: the ones who debut with a series performance, only to continue improving as time goes on.
There is no doubt that Melissa Gilbert belongs in the second category.
Melissa, who was only nine years old then, debuted as Laura Ingalls in the iconic television series Little House on the Prairie in 1974.
She had no idea that landing the part would propel her to the level of stardom and fame it did, even though she knew it was an impressive accomplishment in and of itself. Nor the huge reach and widespread popularity that the show would eventually achieve globally.
Little House on the Prairie, which featured the likes of Michael Landon and Karen Grassle, ran for nine seasons and launched a young Melissa Gilbert to dizzying heights that she never could have thought of reaching.
When Melissa was just a child, she landed the part defining her career: she played Laura Ingalls on the television show Little House on the Prairie. She started filming the program when she was eight years old and continued until she was 18; the experience changed her life in many ways, including providing her with a father figure in the form of her on-screen dad Michael Landon.
According to Parade, Melissa Gilbert stated that she had loved her job from the beginning and had enjoyed being on the set of Little House on the Prairie. She mentioned that it was a fantastic place to grow up as a child performer and had been fun and amazing.
Her adventures in Hollywood did not stop with the end of the Little House series, even though fans will always remember her as Laura. She went on to star in television films such as “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “The Miracle Worker,” served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005, and competed in “Dancing with the Stars,” where she finished in fifth place. She also ran for Congress in Michigan’s 8th congressional district in 2016, winning the Democratic primary before withdrawing due to health concerns.
Because Melissa spent her childhood working in the entertainment business, she likely has a good understanding of the challenges of being famous.
The actress, now 58 years old, relocated from the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles to the Catskills in New York in recent years. She did this because she wished to escape from the life she was adapted to and into one that offered her more calm, peace, and opportunities for greater reflection.
In recent interviews, Gilbert stated that it took a lot of elbow grease to fix up the old home she and her husband moved into.
Melissa described the house she had purchased in an interview with Fox News, explaining that it lacked certain amenities. Specifically, the house had no heat, and the plumbing was malfunctioning. She went on to describe the house’s condition as if the previous occupants had just wrapped up and left, leaving it to sit in disrepair for decades.
In another interview with Next Avenue, Melissa recounted her initial impressions upon walking into the house. She mentioned that the smell was overwhelming and unlike anything she had ever experienced, despite having encountered musty places. However, as she spent more time in the house, she began to see beyond the issues and noticed the potential that the house had to become something special. Despite its current state, Melissa saw the beauty in the house and was determined to bring it back to life.
The Aging Process
In addition, Melissa has recently stated publicly that she is battling against the forces of nature and the natural aging process.
Melissa stated that she had grown up in an industry that placed a significant value on a person’s outward appearance rather than inner qualities. According to an interview, she mentioned that she had been caught up in the pressure of trying to maintain a youthful appearance.
Melissa has had multiple breast augmentations, botox injections, and filler treatments performed throughout her life to delay the onset of age-related physical changes.
This was not too far from the norm in Hollywood, a well-known place for adding aesthetic filters to practically everything. This was not especially unique. According to various accounts, Melissa had her first cosmetic surgery experience after working on the 1981 television movie Splendor in the Grass.
On location, members of the film’s makeup department shaded her nose to give the impression of being of a narrower profile. As a result, Melissa realized that to fulfill certain parts successfully; she would need to have her body altered.
After that, she experimented with numerous kinds of cosmetic surgery over several years, including, as was mentioned earlier, breast implant surgery and botox injections.
On the other hand, Melissa eventually realized that the person she was turning herself into wasn’t her.
Melissa recounted an experience at the red carpet event for the season 4 premiere of Nip/Tuck, during which she was heavily made up and had undergone procedures such as fillers and botox. She felt she didn’t recognize the person she saw in the mirror and that it had knocked her for a loop.
In 2015, Melissa underwent surgery to remove her breast implants, which she considered one of the smartest things she had ever done. She explained that she had also cut off all her hair and stopped using botox and other similar treatments. Melissa expressed her love for all the changes and the opportunity to get to know herself as a new person.
Whatever decision you make, Melissa, know that you have our support. No matter a person’s shape, size, or stature, the team here at Newsner thinks they should be able to enjoy being in their skin and have a positive relationship with their own body.
Are you a follower of Melissa Gilbert as well? If so, please show your support by posting a message on our Facebook page.
Meanwhile, if you believe she has chosen the right path by choosing a more natural approach to aging, be sure to share this article on Facebook.
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