Star Seekers Aren’t Just Gold-Digging Women: There Are Men Too

Regarding “Grasping for a Star” (May 21): Am I in the 21st century or is this anti-feminist slant on celebrity dating all a bad dream? How many men do just the same as poor Bonny Lee Bakley, move to L.A. and gun for the famous women . . . literally and figuratively? Why was this article written only about gold-digging women, when one can just turn on the tube and watch any number of gigolos who have finally reached their pinnacle? It makes me ill to know that we Americans hold movie stars in such esteem, when most have others’ blood and sweat on their paychecks. Get with the times.

SASHA LAING

Venice

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When women live in a time where they are valued and reinforced more for their looks than their independent status and intellectual capacities, can we really be aghast at the women who merely follow in those well-worn, albeit misguided, footsteps of feeling like using one’s looks is the surest way to attain that which most of us need--acceptance? No, these women are not “lazy,” looking only for a guaranteed “situation where they can just shop and have sex now and then.” Collectively, they are an example of the sexism inherent in today’s prescribed roles for women. And individually, each one of the women mentioned has her own survivor story to tell, her own version of how she rises in a patriarchal culture.

MEGAN LAYTON

Seal Beach

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As the daughter of the late filmmaker Stanley Kramer, I am well aware of the inner workings of Hollywood. I appreciated how your article explained the difference between women just wanting a “chance” meeting with a celebrity and a real, serious “stalker.”

Too many individuals in this town don’t know the difference, and the word “stalker” has been used to describe innocent people.

There are many women in Hollywood who are trying to have a “chance” meeting with a celebrity because they are producers or have a project in mind they really believe in and can’t get past the agents or handlers to get the star’s attention.

I myself am a performer and an aspiring producer, and just because my father was a legendary filmmaker doesn’t make it any easier getting past the agents.

KATHARINE KRAMER

Valley Village

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As a wife, mother, actress and singer, I find this story an insult to women of integrity. How ‘bout the other side of the fence--the men?

ABIGAIL SHELTON-BAKER

Northridge