Part 7/9:
The silence from Spielberg only worsened perceptions. His historical role in nurturing rising stars contrasted sharply with his current silence on Ziegler’s plight, feeding a narrative that hinted at her potential blacklisting in Hollywood. In an industry where reputation reigns supreme, Ziegler's trajectory began to stall dramatically.
The Hollywood Machine
Hollywood operates on relationships and reputations, both fragile and subject to swift change. After two high-profile disasters, Ziegler’s name began to vanish from leading role discussions as executives weighed the risks of hiring someone with a rapidly soured reputation. The paradox of Hollywood is that while it can forgive missteps, it demands humility, an openness to learn, and the grace to express genuine contrition.