The Fame Game. Lauren Conrad
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To Adam DiVello, who plucked me from obscurity and gave me a career I never could have imagined. Thank you for every opportunity you gave me and for gifting me with the best video diary anyone could ever want.
Contents
Dedication
Letter to Madison
From the Desk of Madison Parker
Chapter 1 - A Step Forward
Chapter 2 - A Good Sign
Chapter 3 - Eyes Wide Open
Chapter 4 - Hardly Star Treatment
Chapter 5 - Your Rock ’n’ Roll Side
Chapter 6 - Making Nice
Chapter 7 - Basically a Native
Chapter 8 - Struggle. Drama. Meltdowns.
Chapter 9 - People Like Us Do Not Wait in Lines
Chapter 10 - More Than Just a Story arc
Chapter 11 - All Grown Up
Chapter 12 - Carmen Cupid Curtis
Chapter 13 - A Little Old for Stuffed Animals
Chapter 14 - The Best Idea You Ever Had
Chapter 15 - That Was Awkward
Chapter 16 - Walk with Me
Chapter 17 - The TV-Ready Next Big Thing
Chapter 18 - Sparks
Chapter 19 - Think Beautiful Thoughts
Chapter 20 - Secret Lovers
Chapter 21 - Little Miss Hollywood
Chapter 22 - Bad Romance
Chapter 23 - Keep Tabs on Your Costars
Chapter 24 - Talk About The End of Love
Chapter 25 - Everyone Wants to Be Famous
Chapter 26 - The Good Ol’ Days
Chapter 27 - Good Times, Good Times
Chapter 28 - Part of a Larger Plan
Chapter 29 - Lucky Girl
Chapter 30 - How This Hollywood Stuff Works
Chapter 31 - The Best of Friends
Chapter 32 - The Birth of a Star
Chapter 33 - Empty
Chapter 34 - So Damn Catchy
Chapter 35 - Nobody Loses
Acknowledgments
Books by Lauren Conrad
Copyright
Dear Madison,
You must hear this all the time, but I’m your biggest fan. I’ve watched every episode of Madison’s Makeovers ten times. I didn’t think you’d ever convince Tanya to cut that hair and get her teeth done, but you did—and she looked amazing! And you were so right about that girl from Idaho: Nobody looks good in a knee-length jean skirt and athletic shoes, especially not someone with cankles—ha ha.
You were my fave on L.A. Candy. I mean, you are who you are and you proved that! Especially when your past came out. Jane sort of became the star of the show, but it should’ve been you. Girls like Jane get everything handed to them, and how is that fair?
Have you talked to Sophia? Obvs she’s your little sister and you love her, but can I just say how ungrateful she was? She was so wrong to out you the way she did. I know you love your fans and you would have told us everything when you were ready.
It is so amazing what you’ve done for yourself. You didn’t have anything growing up, and now you have it all!! You had a dream and you went for it. Seeing someone like you, who made everything happen through hard work and courage and just rocking every opportunity that you got, makes me feel like it might be possible for me. You know? You really have been an inspiration to me. So thank you and I love you. Seriously, you are my idol!
My best friend, Emma, said she heard that you’re going to star in a new show for PopTV. Is it true? I hope so!!! Please write me back and please send an autographed picture!
Love you!!!!!
Xoxoxo Becca B.
From the Desk of Madison Parker
Dear Becca,
Thanks so much for your letter. Without you and my millions of other fans, I wouldn’t enjoy my amazing life. And thank you for watching Madison’s Makeovers! I really feel like I am giving back with each makeover I do. Every girl deserves a little beauty, don’t you think?
No one expects their sister to betray them (especially not on national TV), but Sophie was in a very dark place. I am just so lucky that I was able to pay for her rehab and that she and I have each other. Thank you for loving me through all the pain and for understanding why I kept my past a secret.
As for a new show, I’m not supposed to say anything, but since you are one of my biggest fans . . . Yes, there is a new show in the works, and yes, of course, I am the star.
I hope you like the photo I’ve included. I think it’s one of my best. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @MissMadParker.
Love,
Madison
PS: Don’t ever give up on your dreams, and don’t ever expect anything to be handed to you. I know I didn’t—and look at me now!
Madison Parker had made Trevor Lord come to her this time. If he wanted her for his new show as badly as he said he did, what was a little Sunset Boulevard traffic between friends? Anyway, he’d just added another sleek new sports car to his collection—he might as well put it to use.
“The Fame Game needs you, Madison.” Trevor leaned forward in his chair, his eyes intent on her perfectly made-up face. “PopTV wants another hit show. And you and I know how to make that happen.” His voice was low, almost conspiratorial.
Madison took a sip of her coconut water. She’d already told her agent, Nick, she was going to say yes—the network had met her financial demands (only slightly begrudgingly), and a new TV show meant more magazine coverage and better endorsement deals—but she wanted to make Trevor work for it. He didn’t know that Madison’s Makeovers wasn’t getting picked up for a second season—no one did yet—and she wasn’t about to tell him. After all, the ratings had been totally decent by PopTV standards. Why else would Trevor Lord, the executive producer of L.A. Candy, and his cohort (aka minion) Dana be here at Soho House (which Madison had picked for its proximity to her apartment and its to-die-for seared-ahi salad, and because she liked to exercise her membership privileges as much as possible) to lure her away from it? Besides, this way